A Guide to Using LinkedIn to Launch Your Future Career

By Makena Rhodes

In today’s fast-paced, competitive environment, the job market seems to become more difficult every day. Most universities tend to teach their students valuable skills from practicing interviews to building academic portfolios. But what seems to be growing is the attention towards LinkedIn. 

Professors have begun shifting in-class assignments and practice exercises to brightening LinkedIn profiles. What makes it so special when searching for a job? Well, the platform helps you build connections with hiring managers, current employees, and even, your school’s alumni who were once in your shoes. LinkedIn allows you to show your experience in more than your resume, with sections for volunteer work, certifications, full work experience, education, skills, awards, etc. But the question we are answering today is: How do you stand out to employers through your LinkedIn profile? The answer? Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Create and Set Up Your Profile

Before sending any connections to old high school friends or employees of companies you are interested in, make your page clear and concise. It is important to remember to show, don’t tell. In your headline add your position. A proper headshot and NOT a selfie! In your About section, it is important to remember three things: purpose, tone and focus. 

• Purpose: Show, don’t tell, your experiences and how they have prepared you for your interested field
• Tone: Stay approachable, but remain professional
• Focus: Highlight your most important skills, what you are looking to achieve and what you do currently in the academic or work environment.

Remember these three words and your About section will be golden. Ready to start working? Add #OpenToWork to your profile picture! Just looking to make connections and build your profile? Head to step #2.

Step 2: Start Sending Connections

When sending connections, it is important to remember they want to know why you looking to connect with them specifically. LinkedIn has a unique feature that allows you to send a short message that helps the potential individual get to know you. However, you only have a certain number per week (unless a premium member!) so use them wisely! Saying something along the lines of “Hello. I came across your profile and greatly enjoyed your work. Are you interested in connecting so I can learn more about your day-to-day?” This allows them to see you want to learn about their career path. Active users on the platform tend to be proud of their work and want to show it to students looking to gain experience. 

Learn more about LinkedIn Premium here.

Step 3: Schedule Informational Interviews

In the past, LinkedIn has been prioritized to assist with finding jobs. Recently, it has made the switch to a “social media” platform. Now that you have made connections, what’s next? You want to reach out to users in your field. Being clear and concise, draft a message similar to the initial connection saying you are interested in what the position entails, their background and that you would appreciate 30 minutes of their time for an informational interview. 

How does this impact your job hunt? This connection can know someone who knows someone. Most industries, no matter the size, tend to have these patterns. By spending 30 minutes to learn about what is done daily for your career, you not only form a bond with the interviewee but you learn if it is something you can see yourself growing in. The most important piece to these meetings is to follow up. As a student, you want to maintain these connections when you are applying for jobs down the road. 

Another tip I offer to close out an informational interview would be asking – Is there anyone you would recommend me connecting with? It can be challenging to draft questions when you are not 100% sure what the interview looks like, so another question that doesn’t hurt is: Is there anything I didn’t ask you that would be beneficial for me to know? This opens the conversation to ideas they want to talk about or even give you advice for future meetings. Check out the video below to start brainstorming your questions.

By following these three key steps, you will have successfully created a LinkedIn profile. Continue to update it as the experience rolls in. And always remember – Follow up! Follow up! Follow up!

To check out my LinkedIn profile, click this link.