In 2014, Jobvite (www.jobvite.com), a company that surveys organizations regarding their hiring practices, discovered 93% of companies use social media to help identify new hires. They found 73% of employers surveyed planned to spend more money on social recruiting in the coming year. Clearly, having a powerful online profile is a big step in the right direction if you are trying to attract employers.

How can you take to create an exceptional profile that will encourage potential hiring managers to want to know more about you? Follow these steps and you’ll be on the right track to your next opportunity.

Create strong headlines.

Identify your value proposition. Every social network includes a short headline, or mini bio. Make sure yours makes a strong statement about who you are and what you offer. For example, your LinkedIn headline is 120 characters long. This isn’t a lot of space to showcase how you can help employers solve their problems, but it can be done.

First, decide what you want employers to know about you. What skills are most important to showcase? Once you choose these skills, keep the following questions in mind and answer them in your headline:

• What problem do you solve?
• What impact do you have?
• What results do you create?

In other words, what value do you provide that makes you special or unique? If you don’t know, review past recommendations or work evaluations. Consider asking people familiar with your work what they would point out as your best skills.

Choose keywords.

In addition, keep in mind that you want to make it as easy as possible for people to find – and hire – you. Include words in your bio that people searching for someone with your skills would use in a search query. These are called “keywords.” It’s easy to identify them by reviewing job descriptions. Choose the words that appear in every description and incorporate them in your headline or bio.

Combine information about your best skills and use keywords to describe yourself. For example:

Business Analyst: Develop and implement systems to bridge gaps between HR and IT organizations.

All of the bold words may be considered keywords, and there is a “promise” of the candidate’s value, “Develop and implement systems to bridge gaps between HR and IT organizations.”

Create a headline that describes you in LinkedIn, and reuse it in the various other networks, such as Twitter and Google+.

Complete your profiles.

A headline is important, but so are the other pieces of your online profiles. Any place that requests professional information, fill it out and make sure it is publicly available. For example, be sure to fill in all of your job descriptions in LinkedIn. Copy the same information into your Facebook profile in the “Work and Education” section, and select those sections to be searchable by choosing the “globe” dropdown icon, indicating public information.

When you include complete information, you make it easier and more likely for people to find you when they search for a candidate with your skills. (Yes, they do search on Facebook, too!)

LinkedIn gives a boost in search to anyone who earns the distinction of having an “all-star” profile. These are the requirements for an all-star (complete) profile on LinkedIn:

Add a profile photo.

List all the jobs or positions you’ve held, along with descriptions of your roles.

Include five or more skills on your profile.

Write a summary about yourself.

Fill out your industry and postal code.

Add where you went (or where you are going) to school.

Have 50 or more connections.

Don’t “set it and forget it.”

Social networks are called that for a reason; they are interactive and engaging. Once you set up your profile in the networks that appeal to you, find opportunities to join groups and virtually meet new people to add to your network. On LinkedIn, look for groups to join. On Twitter, investigate “Twitter chats” to find like-minded people interested in discussing professional topics. Facebook hosts many groups, and Google+ is a good place to find various communities, which are similar to groups, as well as “Hangouts,” which are opportunities to engage with other people via video.

When you use social media well by creating a magnifying, complete profile, and take some time to engage in the networking communities (most of which you can do on your own schedule), you’ll expand your network and attract potential opportunities to you.

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For many, earning an online business degree is a step toward finding a better job. But once you have finished the courses and received your diploma, what lies next? In today’s crowded job market, finding a position can be difficult. Networking with like-minded businesspeople is a great way to find a future career or even benefit your company.

Using networking to your benefit is basically an extension of office communications. There’s an old saying that says, “You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.” Networking and business relationships are alike in that each party does a favor for the other in the hope that at a later point, they will receive one back.

In Texas, there are plenty of networking groups for several groups of professionals. Most of these groups are limited to the larger metro areas of the state. Here are ten groups that Texas residents should consider joining.

Statewide Business Networking Groups in Texas

Texas Young Professionals

For professionals in their 20s to mid-40s across Texas, there is Texas Young Professionals. They focus on creating relationships between businesspeople and sponsor career development and civic involvement activities across the state. Seven chapters serve the many corners of the state, and each has their own leadership group.

Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas

The only statewide group dedicated to economic empowerment for women, The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas is one of the largest women’s business organizations of its kind nationally. The chamber is committed to three areas: leadership development, relationship networking and advocacy. The chamber is a great option for women looking to meet female business leaders of all ages.

Business Networking in Austin

Networking Austin

Professionals of all ages are welcomed at Networking Austin, which sprouted from one of the city’s most respected networking professionals. The group provides members with opportunities to use each other as sales contacts and boasts a “productive exchange of leads.” With features like assigned seating and meetings led by professional networkers, Networking Austin is great for those looking for a serious business focus in their networking group.

Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR)

Austin’s largest networking group, ABOR is made up of nearly 10,000 members. ABOR touts itself as a networking resource for both real estate professionals and other members of the Austin community. On top of regular networking opportunities, ABOR participates in community outreach by promoting sustainable communities. ABOR is a major player in Austin’s economy; anyone interested in real estate should become involved in its events.

Door64

The tech community in Austin is among the country’s largest, and Door64 is its biggest networking group. While different from a traditional networking group, the monthly Door64 happy hour is among the biggest networking events in the city. Everyone who’s anyone in the Austin tech scene attends. The group’s newsletter has 30,000 subscribers and they have hosted nearly 200 events. Door64 is the perfect resource for someone wanting to break into the Austin tech space.

Business Networking in Dallas

CareerConnection

The largest and oldest networking organization in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, CareerConnection is dedicated to providing job leads for its members. Since 1992, the group has helped over 60,000 professionals find a new job position. Because of their focus on finding job leads, CareerConnection doesn’t have much of a social component.

Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC)

The city’s elite networking group, the DRC is full of established leaders and top level decision-makers. The group offers a number of leadership development programs for all levels of professionals and welcomes members of all ages. The major downside is that membership is expensive with $700 a year being the lowest level.

Business Networking in Houston

Federation of Houston Professional Women (FHPW)

For Houston’s businesswomen, FHPW is committed to bringing together women from diverse business background. FHPW weekly meetings aren’t just for networking, but also include friendship and support for all members. Although it has plenty of business elements, FHPW also contain several social components.

Greater Houston Partnership (GHP)

The GHP is considered one of the prominent groups in the Houston economic community. Its over 2,000 members are committed to assisting each other in their mission to bettering the city’s economic endeavors. Like the Dallas Regional Chamber, the GHP is expensive. The lowest membership costs $1,000 a year. But the networking opportunities and events are considered the best in the city.

AfriPRO Houston

A part of the larger AfriPRO business network, AfriPRO Houston is the largest networking group for African American professionals in Houston. AfriPRO values an “exchange of ideas for promotional development.” They operate in a manner similar to most other networking groups and put on several social and professional networking events.

Concordia University Texas and Networking

Joining a business networking organization is an easy way to become involved in your local economic community. These groups are just a few examples of organizations that can benefit your career in a variety of ways. The online business degree programs at Concordia University Texas will give you the tools on how to network effectively. When used correctly, networking can benefit all parties, and these groups start that process. Discover our online degree programs today.

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A misconception about earning your degree online is a drop off in quality from a traditional on-campus program. Some students pause about beginning an online degree program because of worries that it won’t measure up to a traditional experience. Between the teaching nature of distance learning and using technology, some prospective online students have their reservations.

At Concordia University Texas online, we ensure that the experience is just as strong and effective as our on-campus learning. Here are a few ways that we maintain quality between the two methods.

Unlimited Access

Because our instructors embrace the availability that the Internet provides, our online courses offer students unlimited access to course information. You don’t have to worry about not knowing your grade, or spending energy trying to find lecture notes.

We believe in the importance of access when it comes to our online courses, and because of this, our students have access to their course materials at all times. You will be able to retrieve previous lectures and readings on our online campus at any time. Most importantly, you have constant access to your grades to give you a better understanding of where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Furthermore, our 24/7 help desk will help you work through any technical problems.

Individualized Attention

In some on-campus situations, students aren’t able to work directly with other students on a regular basis. Professors may limit student contact to office hours, and if a student can’t meet during that period of time, they might be out of luck.

Our instructors are always a click away. Due to the online nature of our courses, professors understand the importance of frequent communication. Our instructors are always ready to receive questions, and if you have a more immediate need, the 24/7 help desk may be able to assist you. We also offer one-on-one attention with a tutoring expert through tutor.com. It is our goal to ensure that a student never goes without the individual attention and assistance they require to succeed.

Accreditation

One of the easiest ways to identify the quality of a degree program, online or traditional, is by accreditation. For a program to receive accreditation, it undergoes a strict review process from a third-party association. All of the online programs at Concordia University Texas have completed this review and are accredited. This means that your degree is of quality and will prepare you for a career in your chosen field.

Experienced Instructors

Much of what you gain from a course comes from the instructor’s plan and effectiveness. Students who may struggle with a given subject may not receive the attention and instruction they need to fully understand the concepts. Sometimes inefficient instruction can leave a student unprepared for future application.

For all of our online degree programs, we have highly trained professors who create a clearer road to success. Many of these instructors aren’t just experts in their fields, but are still practitioners building experience. Our instructors understand what it takes to succeed in their given field, and will pass that knowledge to students.

Course Topics

Prospective online students may want to know how subjects differ from the traditional program. We keep uniformity across traditional and online delivery to ensure that graduates of both programs are equally prepared for their chosen career. This also allows many of our on-campus professors to transfer lesson plans and course materials directly online with minimal changes.

Concordia University Texas is committed to ensuring that online degree programs maintain the same level of quality and excellence as our traditional on-campus programs. The aforementioned points are just a few reasons why, as a student of online learning, you will receive the same quality instruction.

For more information on how to begin your journey to advancing your career, check out Concordia University Texas’ online programs. 

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Despite its affordable price compared to traditional education, online learning still has its fair share of costs. Luckily, you have plenty of options that can lessen the burden and help pay for your degree program. Here are a few options that can get you on the path to an online degree.

Federal Aid

Make sure that you check with the federal government as one of your first steps to obtaining financial aid. Many federal financial aid programs apply to accredited online institutions, making them a great place to begin looking. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, because this will give you a good idea of your eligibility for federal assistance. The government also offers information on more resources at the federal student aid website. If you are eligible for any of these programs, speak with a financial aid staff member for more information.

Get Educated Online College Scholarship Fund

This biannual scholarship is just for students seeking an online degree. The award is based on both merit and financial aid need, and isn’t specific to one university. Students must be U.S. citizens already enrolled in an accredited online degree program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. The scholarship also requires a 500-word essay on “what an online college degree means to me.” You should attach a copy of your most recent FAFSA, or a tax return.

SR Education Group Scholarship Program

The SR Education Group is one of the leaders in providing information on online schools. In addition to their fantastic guide to online degree programs, they offer a comprehensive scholarship program for students seeking online degrees. The five scholarships are available to several types of students.

• The Community College Scholarship is available to students seeking an online degree from a local community scholarship.
• The Make a Difference Scholarship competition requires students to submit a short video or photo essay explaining how their degree would help them change the world.
• Military scholarships are awarded for those serving in the armed forces and looking to earn an education.
• Women’s scholarships are available to females using an online degree program to pursue their degrees.
• Single-parent scholarships are available to women who are raising families on their own.

The Guide to Online Schools also has plenty of information on online education—you can learn more on their website.

Texas-Based Scholarships

Although these scholarships aren’t just available to online students, they do provide great opportunities for students who wish to seek a degree at Concordia University Texas or any other Texas institutions.

• The Texas state government has a variety of state and federal grants and scholarships available to students. They include a variety of programs that have different eligibility requirements including some for particular majors or degrees.
• The TELACU Scholarship Program awards hundreds of scholarships to students from Texas. Students must be low-income, first generation, full-time college students. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required for applicants.
• Each year the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation offers 70 scholarships to students in the Houston area. The scholarship has several requirements, including SAT and ACT minimum scores.

Save Loans for Last

Students should do their best to avoid accumulating large sums of student debt while earning their degrees. But, you may have to use loaned money to pay for your degree program. If this is the case for you, remember these tips:

• Start with federal loans. The loans from the government are not only the ones with the lowest interest but they are usually the most flexible.
• Do not take out loans you cannot afford; it could be a risk to your financial well-being.
• If federal loans are not enough, use reputable organizations to finance your online education. Do your research and due-diligence. Beyond that, you need to look into whether pursuing a loan is a good idea for you at this point.

How Concordia Texas Helps You Pay for Your Online Education        

We understand that earning your degree is a financial investment. That’s why we work alongside you from the start of the enrollment process to find ways to pay for your online education.

Once you’re enrolled, our experienced instructors have developed convenient and flexible courses that allow you to balance all of your time commitments. Our instructors will help you gain the credentials and skills you need to excel in a new career.

If you’re seeking more information on how to learn with Concordia University Texas, visit our request info page.

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Going back to school can be intimidating. However, it may surprise you to hear that what most students find challenging about online learning isn’t the coursework itself; instead, it’s learning how to fit your studies into your already-full schedule.

At Concordia University Texas Online, we want to help you succeed with balancing school, work and life. All it takes is some planning and organization for you to make the most of your online education. To help, we’ve put together some strategies for staying on track to meeting your educational and career goals.

1. Get to know your instructors: This may seem like a strange suggestion for online students like you, but connecting with your instructors is the best way to ensure that your work aligns with the expectations of your instructors. Our instructors are available throughout the course and want to help you succeed.
2. Manage your time: Time management is perhaps the most important skill for online students to have. Because our online courses revolve around flexibility, you’ll need to be proactive when it comes to completing coursework and studying. Make a weekly schedule that works for both you and your family. This could mean setting aside a specific time each day to study, or bringing study materials with you to review when you have some free time.
3. Stay organized: Because you have more freedom to create your own schedule with our online degree programs, you’ll have to keep yourself on track. This could mean keeping a calendar or planner with all important due dates, or devoting a binder to each course you take. There are also a variety of useful mobile apps designed for students. Furthermore, create a study environment that works for you. Whether this is an at-home office, your favorite coffee shop or a library, find a disruption-free study space that allows you to concentrate.
4. Make time for yourself: Though it’s important to make your education a priority, you should also set aside time for yourself; go to dinner with friends or catch up on your favorite shows. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by your workload, especially if you have a full-time career while you are earning your degree online. One of the best ways to keep things in perspective is to spend time doing the things you enjoy.
5. Get a support system: Make sure your family and friends know that you are going back to school. If they know your schedule is about to change, they can step up and help out when needed. Knowing that your family and friends are encouraging you to succeed can help you stay on track.
6. Use your resources: If you are looking for more support as you complete your studies, your academic advisors and classmates are great places to start. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help if you need it. Our online programs are designed to be interactive, which means that there are always options in terms of resources.
7. Keep your goal in mind: Remember why you decided to go back to school. Whether you want to advance in your current career or begin a new one, your decision to continue your education will help you meet your personal and professional goals. Keep your goals in mind to help yourself stay motivated.

Getting Started: Our Admissions Process

Completing the online application is the first step of our admissions process. Please note that the application includes a $50 fee. Our admissions requirements include the following:

• Undergraduate students: Minimum 2.0 GPA on all college-level coursework, or a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA if you have fewer than 12 transferable college credit hours. Our admissions committee will evaluate students who do not meet the requirements, meaning that you could still be eligible for provisional admission to the accelerated degree program.
• Graduate students: For direct admission to the Master of Education program, applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. This applies to all completed undergraduate work. If you have completed 12 hours of undergraduate coursework, the minimum GPA requirement for those credits is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If your GPA does not meet these requirements, you will be asked to write an essay to be reviewed by the Graduate Education Committee.
• For MBA students: A minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from the undergraduate degree-granting institution. Applicants with graduate-level coursework must submit transcripts that show their graduate-level coursework. Applicants who already hold a master’s degree will be accepted if they earned a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Using the MBA Essay Guidelines, applicants should submit the MBA admissions essay. Lastly, submit a one- to two-page summary of your professional work experience using the MBA Professional Work Experience Guidelines.

Find out more about our many online degree programs. Make the most of your continued education with a degree from Concordia.

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