Summary of "Career Preparation 2025- Sesi Personal Branding"

Summary of Key Wellness Strategies, Self-Care Techniques, and Productivity Tips from “Career Preparation 2025 - Sesi Personal Branding“

Key Career Preparation and Productivity Tips

Start Early in Career Preparation

Begin job searching and career preparation as early as the 6th or 7th semester.
Early internships and relevant experiences increase chances of employment before graduation.

Understand the Job Market Reality

The job market is highly competitive; for example, in Indonesia, 20 million job seekers compete for 28,000 vacancies.
Entry-level jobs increasingly require experience, making internships and relevant projects crucial.
Only about 20% of applicants typically get interview calls; strong branding and relevant experience improve this chance.

Personal Branding and Professional Online Profiles

Personal branding is a promise or declaration of what you offer and how you differentiate yourself from others.
Build a professional persona online, especially on LinkedIn, that aligns with your career goals.
Avoid contradictions between personal social media and professional profiles to maintain a coherent brand.

Building a Strong LinkedIn Profile

Use a professional, clear, and friendly profile photo.
Create a compelling headline that summarizes your unique value and professional brand.
Write a clear summary including who you are, your skills, passions, and what you are seeking.
Include relevant skills, certifications, education, internships, and volunteer experience.
Use keywords relevant to your target jobs for better discoverability by recruiters.
Fill out all profile sections in English to maximize reach and clarity.
Add recommendations from credible people to endorse your skills and work ethic.

Networking Strategies

Networking is critical; more than 50% of hires come from personal connections.
Connect with people who share your interests, work in your target companies, or can help you achieve your goals.
When sending connection requests, include a personalized message explaining who you are, how you found them, and how they can help.
Follow companies, universities, and industry leaders on LinkedIn to stay updated and learn.
Use LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature to signal recruiters you are available.

Job Search Tips on LinkedIn

Actively search and apply for jobs using LinkedIn’s job section.
Set up job alerts to receive notifications about new openings matching your criteria.
Consider remote job opportunities and proactively reach out to recruiters or employees at those companies.

Handling Career Pivots

It’s okay to pivot careers even if your degree is unrelated to your current job interest.
Prepare for pivots by gaining relevant experience through internships, minors, or side projects.
Be ready to commit fully to the new direction and continue to graduate on time.

Addressing Lack of Experience

If lacking internships or organizational experience, seek volunteer opportunities, school projects, or community involvement.
Any relevant activity that demonstrates skills like teamwork, leadership, or project management can be included in your profile.
Start gaining experience as soon as possible to enhance your employability.

Interview Tips

First impressions during interviews are crucial; recruiters decide within the first 90 seconds.
Confidence and clear communication improve interview outcomes.
Mock interviews and preparation sessions (such as those offered by career centers) are highly recommended.

Additional Wellness & Self-Care Notes (Implied)

Stay Positive and Focus on What You Can Control: The job market may be tough, but focus on developing your skills, branding, and network. Avoid being discouraged by external factors like economic downturns or job market saturation.
Maintain a Balanced Online Presence: Ensure your personal and professional online profiles do not conflict, which can cause stress or damage your reputation. Be authentic but mindful about what you share publicly.

Presenters and Sources

Stefanus MC and event facilitator, Information Systems Department, UMN Class of 2024.
Marcel Mauricius Account Director at LinkedIn, main speaker providing insights on personal branding, LinkedIn profile building, and networking strategies.
Alegra Student sharing experience with UMN Career Development Center (CDC).
UMN Career Development Center (CDC) Organizer of the event and provider of career preparation services including training, counseling, recruitment, and networking.

This summary captures the essential strategies for career preparation, productivity, and professional self-care shared during the session on personal branding and professional online profiles.