June 23 program suitable for recent college graduates up to mature job seekers
Featured photo: Gesher Human Services employment specialist Ashley Stone (pictured), who is organizing an upcoming virtual event for job seekers, recently became a Certified Digital Career Strategist.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (June 15, 2026) – Gesher Human Services, one of the largest human service agencies in metro Detroit, will be offering a free virtual program called Leveraging LinkedIn for Job Seekers, on Tuesday June 23, from 10-11 a.m. The program is designed for infrequent or casual users of LinkedIn, offering guidance for getting noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. According to Forbes, a LinkedIn profile is as important as your resume in the job search process, acting as an advertisement for job seekers. Michigan’s unemployment rate is slightly higher at 5% than the national average of 4.3% reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and unemployment varies widely between counties, ranging from 3.7 percent in Washtenaw County to 19.9 percent in Mackinac County. Wayne County, which has the largest labor force in the state, has an unemployment rate of 6.3 percent.
Gesher Human Services employment specialist Ashley Stone, who is organizing the event, recently became a Certified Digital Career Strategist. She is trained to assist job seekers with the tools and skills to search for a job online and says LinkedIn remains invaluable.
“LinkedIn is essential for networking and communicating with potential employers,” she explained. “In addition to reviewing your resume, recruiters often take a quick look at your LinkedIn profile. That’s why job seekers should be strategic about how they present themselves online and ensure they make a strong first impression.”
According to LinkedIn data, between 72% and 77% of recruiters actively use LinkedIn, and up to 95% rely on the platform at some stage of the hiring process.
Topics the presentation will review include:
- best practices for a job seeker’s profile
- how to optimize LinkedIn settings when seeking employment
- strategies for a successful job search on the platform
Stone said that the program will be user-friendly for beginners.
“While college grads are likely to be tech savvy, they may still need assistance with their LinkedIn: what their profile should contain and how to maximize its impact, especially as we know so many college grads are struggling to find work straight out of college,” said Stone. “The presentation will also be very helpful to older workers who may have recently lost a position and are now looking for work in a changing job market.”
Privacy concerns for those worried about their digital footprint will also be addressed.
“We will explain how to navigate settings, because LinkedIn is a social media platform, and visibility is essential to increasing your connectivity on the platform. In addition, for job seekers, a strong profile adds context and credibility to your career story,” added Stone.
To register for the program go to www.geshermi.org/events or click here. One-on-one career counseling, including resume writing, is also available through Gesher Human Services. Email employmenthelp@geshermi.org.
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About Gesher Human Services
Gesher Human Services is a non-profit organization providing a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home and in the community. It is dedicated to helping people across metro Detroit lead more stable and fulfilling lives through workforce development, career mobility, behavioral health, inclusion programming, and residential services that serve all metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community. The organization works with job seekers, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and the broader community to provide the skills, support, and equitable opportunities necessary for people to succeed. Gesher draws on over 110 years of combined experience to facilitate equitable employment opportunities and enhance mental health outcomes for Metro Detroiters. With a network of almost 500 employees and volunteers across more than 25 locations in southeast Michigan, Gesher delivers a continuum of services and support that directly impacts the lives of nearly 34,000 individuals and families annually. More information at www.geshermi.org.
