LinkedIn is a great tool to network professionally, look for a job, grow your career, and more! As a student at St. Kate’s, I have used LinkedIn in a variety of ways, and I have found all of its features very helpful. Currently, I am using LinkedIn to find and apply for internships, and I have used it in the past for some of my business classes. I am also continually using LinkedIn to connect with those around me as I am constantly trying to expand my network.
Here’s a guide to using LinkedIn efficiently:
Complete Your Profile: Make sure your profile is complete with a professional photo, a captivating headline, and a detailed summary of your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Make sure to fill out all sections, including work experience, education, skills, and interests. My personal recommendation is to follow your Resume, all info on your Resume should be included on your LinkedIn. The first bullet point or sentence you list for an experience should be a good representation of what you did in this position; there is no guarantee visitors will click “see more.” For comprehensive tips on how to make your profile stand out, please check out our KatieCareer guidance.
Build Your Network: Connect with colleagues, classmates, mentors, industry professionals, and anyone relevant to your professional life. This is one of the most important steps; you should have at least 50 connections. When requesting to connect with people you don’t know as well, you are not required to include a message, but it is highly recommended! Sending a short message can help the person understand why you’re looking to connect or begin a conversation that may lead to more connections and opportunities. For templates on reaching out, you can look at this helpful article, or these helpful ideas based on how you know the person.
Request Recommendations and Endorsements: Request recommendations from colleagues, supervisors, and clients to add credibility to your profile. Endorse your connections for their skills and expertise; they may do the same for you. This video is a great resource!
Engage Regularly: Engage with your network by sharing updates, articles, and insights relevant to your industry or profession. You can like, comment, and share content from your connections to stay visible and build relationships.
Join LinkedIn Groups: Join groups related to your industry, interests, or profession. You can participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your knowledge to establish yourself as a valuable member of the community. For instance, if you are a nursing student, you might want to join a nursing group. This video goes into more depth about groups!
Follow Influencers and Companies: Follow industry influencers and companies you like. Engage with their content and stay updated on industry trends, news, and job opportunities. I like to follow those in the career field in which I am interested. Follow St. Catherine University and check out its Alumni tab to search for connections to incredible organizations that match your major/interests.
Utilize LinkedIn Learning: Use LinkedIn Learning to enhance your skills and stay competitive in your field. LinkedIn Learning offers a wide range of courses taught by industry experts. I love watching these videos since they are short and easy!
Search for Jobs and Opportunities: Use LinkedIn’s job search feature to find job openings that match your skills and interests. You can also set up job alerts to receive notifications for new job postings. This is a great feature, especially for juniors and seniors soon entering the workforce. I have job alert settings on and receive an email when new job postings are made; here is an article that shows you how to set up job alerts.
Optimize Your Profile for Search Engine Optimization: Use relevant keywords in your profile to improve your visibility in LinkedIn searches. Try to incorporate keywords related to your skills, industry, and job titles throughout your profile. You can find keyword examples in job postings that interest you, by searching for a job you want on Onet and browsing its example skills and job description, or by looking at professional association websites.
Utilize LinkedIn Messaging: Use LinkedIn messaging to reach out to connections for networking, informational interviews, or business inquiries. This is nice because it is not as serious compared to an email. When I request a connection, I greet them by their first name, mention something specific about their portfolio or reference a shared connection, and clearly state my purpose for connecting. For comprehensive tips on how to request, prepare for, and conduct informational interviews, please check out our KatieCareer guidance.
Attend LinkedIn Events and Webinars: Keep an eye out for events and webinars hosted on LinkedIn that are related to your industry or interests. Participate in these events to learn from experts and network with other professionals. This link shows how to find events!
By following these tips, you can effectively utilize LinkedIn to expand your professional network, advance your career, and achieve your professional goals. Make sure to check out Career Development’s LinkedIn page. Don’t forget you can also make an appointment with Career Development to review your LinkedIn profile!
