Ask Becky

I’m updating my LinkedIn profile as I prepare to re-enter the workforce. Are there any new features I should be aware of? — Coming Back

Dear Coming Back:

LinkedIn is always adding new functions, features, and content. Updating your profile at least two to three times a year is an excellent career and relationship management activity.

One new feature relates directly to your goal: You can now add a career break to the Experience section of your LinkedIn profile. The company is working to change the perception of “resume gaps” and normalize career breaks because, quite frankly, a lot of people have had them! LinkedIn provides 17 options, including bereavement, full-time parenting, layoff/position eliminated, health and well-being, and voluntary work. You can specify the date range and a description of what you focused on during that time, including transferrable skills or traits that would be of interest to employers.

Another feature launched in the past year is the profile video. This gives you an avenue to actively demonstrate your enthusiasm, showcase your communication skills, and tell a compelling story about yourself. At present, you can only add a profile video from the mobile app. It is displayed as a muted three-second preview before reverting to your profile photo, and LinkedIn members tap on it to view the full video.

While it is not new, all alums are invited to join the Bryn Mawr College Alumnae/i group (linkedin.com/groups/64225/). As of this writing (April 2022), there are more than 5,200 members. When you join a group on LinkedIn, you have an unlimited ability to directly message other members via the group; you don’t need to be a first-degree connection. This is a fabulous way to access the Bryn Mawr network and grow your connections.

When I update LinkedIn, does that automatically update Mawrter Connect? — Keen to Connect

Dear Keen to Connect:

I’m glad you asked. This is a common question! Mawrter Connect is Bryn Mawr’s exclusive personal and professional networking community, supporting student-to-alum and alum-to-alum networking. While you can integrate with LinkedIn to conveniently use the same login credentials, as well as populate your profile the first time you sign up, any changes or additions to your LinkedIn experience history or education are not automatically imported into Mawrter Connect.

The company that provides the Mawrter Connect platform recently implemented some upgrades, which we will roll out this summer. As well as a more streamlined sign-up process for new users, the platform now offers a more customized experience on the home page after logging in; based on your primary goal at the present time, you will see customized information and recommendations. Career and occupational information will be integrated into the platform, enabling you to do more research on fields and pathways prior to reaching out for networking conversations. The Jobs Board will open up to students, to fully access the new integration with jobs and internships from WayUp. Self-guided learning pathways will be available, to assist users with activities such as informational interviewing and mentoring. A new Asks & Offers group will replace the former Discussion thread feature.

We hope you will join 2,400+ students and alums in this vibrant and growing community that is Mawrter Connect (mawrterconnect.brynmawr.edu)!

Need help navigating the world of work? Career guru (and Bryn Mawr’s senior associate director of Alumnae/i Career Services) Becky Ross is happy to take your questions at raross@brynmawr.edu.