How to Utilise LinkedIn at the Start of Your Career
At the beginning of your career journey, it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. One of these is optimising your social media presence. When you think of social media and job searching, you might think about your online footprint. But it goes beyond deleting any drunk night out photos or embarrassing tweets. Social media platforms like LinkedIn are now key places for job seekers and professionals to showcase their experience and thoughts. Think of it like a live CV, where every post is a chance for you to show off your newest skill or achievement. But where do you start?
Update your LinkedIn Profile
You’ve handed in your dissertation. You’ve handed back your cap and gown and your graduation pictures are proudly on your grandma’s mantle. So, it’s finally time to remove ‘student’ from your LinkedIn and optimise your profile. But what do you replace it with? Instead of opting for the generic title of ‘graduate’, it might be helpful to think of your aspirations instead of your current achievements.
As you’re starting out in your career, your main draw for employers is your potential. So, focus on that when creating your profile. For example: ‘Ambitious Business Management Graduate Specialising in Strategic Planning & Operations’ tells employers you are ready to work hard, that you have a degree and what roles you want to work in.
You should also add to your education and experience sections, if you haven’t already. Explain what you studied, what skills you gained and add any standout pieces of work. If you did a placement year or work experience, talk about it! Even if you just have retail or hospitality experience, don’t skip over it. It showcases your drive and time management skills, especially if you worked alongside your studies.
Finally, update your profile photo. Whether you have professional headshots or just a mate with a camera, make sure your profile photo is clear and professional. You don’t need to be in a suit, but make sure you look put-together and approachable.
Build your Network
Like any social media platform, LinkedIn thrives on the connections between its users. Connections optimise your algorithm for helpful content and more importantly, get yourself in front of the right people. So, begin with your university class, mentors and alumni. Then, reach out to leaders and professionals in your chosen field.
It’s important, when sending out connection requests, to personalise them.
Most likely, the people you’re reaching out to will have received lots of requests from other graduates. So, make yourself stand out and give them a reason to connect with you. You could mention their impressive achievements, a piece of content you enjoyed or a mutual interest or connection.
Engage with Others’ Content
Figuring out what to post on LinkedIn, especially in view of potential future employers, can be nerve-wracking. So, start by commenting on the content in your feed. It gets your name and thoughts out there without the pressure of posting and waiting for engagement. Comment section conversations can also help you to form meaningful connections!
However, as tempting as it is, avoid creating AI responses to content. They often come out as clunky, insincere overviews that don’t add anything new to the conversation. Aside from that, AI-generated comments are easy to spot and can leave a bad impression.
Hopefully, these steps will point you in the right direction to thrive on LinkedIn. By investing time in keeping your profile up to date and polished, you can develop your personal brand and even secure your next career move.
