LinkedIn, or how I like to call it, the warfield of social media, is a great way of networking with professionals in your dream industry (even if I painfully admit it). LinkedIn can be used productively as a space to grow your online presence, make your name known in a particular field, and of course apply for jobs.
Some people don't find great luck with finding jobs on LinkedIn, and it's probably because they're using it wrong. Actually, it IS because they're using it wrong. You cannot simply find opportunities on LinkedIn by making a profile and aimlessly applying, application after application. You're not going anywhere, so let's discuss how you can maximise your LinkedIn account to actually get results that matter.
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Let people know you're actively searching for work with the #OpenToWork frame. Recruiters then know that you're looking for a job, so your profile views and search appearances will be higher.
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Take the Quiz: What Type of Student Are You?
From all-nighters to colour-coded planners, take this quiz to figure out your student vibe.
Profile Photos
Having a professional photo on your LinkedIn page goes hand in hand with your OpenToWork frame. Making sure that your profile photo is a professional headshot is soemthing that is encouraged among LinkedIn users. Wearing professional clothing, having a natural background, removing selfies and group shots are greatly recommended when you consider what profile picture you should use.
Adding a photograph to your profile helps your current and potential connections recognise you, and of course it will put you in a better position in searching for jobs because your recruiter can visually see what kind of employee you are based off the formality of your LinkedIn page.
See the photo below which shows what a good profile photo should look like.
Image Credit: Swello from Unsplash
Website URL
If you have a blog page or a website, then it's best to put it in your LinkedIn profile under the "URL" section of your Intro page. This website link will appear at the top of your profile and will give future recruitment users the chance to see your work firsthand. By having your work linked onto your page, it creates a path for clients or other professionals on LinkedIn to explore your work beyond just seeing what experience you have on your profile.
A well-designed website linked to your LinkedIn could also encourage employers to contact you directly, since a website acts as a digital resume and portfolio that helps prove your credibility in your specific industry.
Contact Info
In my opinion, LinkedIn DMs aren't really efficient. I've never found them to serve much use. I'd much prefer to contact someone directly through email or call them via phone.
Having your email address in your LinkedIn bio gives employers a call of action to contact you in a more confrontational way. It offers a path for personal contact, which is much better than just awaiting for a message from an employer that was probably sent to 50+ people anyway.
Do Not Write 'Student' in Your Headline
If you're a student trying to apply for a job, employers do not care that you're a student. They just want you to do the job.
By removing student from your bio, you are making the employer think that you want to be in this job for the long-term, even if it isn't true. Employers want to keep their staff, so by framing yourself as another eager job applicant, it gives you a much better chance.
If it is a grad-role or a job that requires qualifications, you should absolutely be putting your grades and school credentials on there, but if it is just a job to earn a little more income, then it is not at all necessary. Read through job descriptions and what they expect from you; if it does not have any explicit mention of university or college grades, then remove "student" from your LinkedIn (and your resume too).
About Section
This is one of the most important parts of a LinkedIn profile. Ensure that in your 'About' section, you are selling yourself, your skills, your experience, your personality, and ultimately your presence in the industry you want to work in.
Don't make it too long, 500 words maximum. The aim of the 'About' section on LinkedIn is to tell recruiters who you are, what you bring to the industry and why you want to work in a particular role. Starting with a hook is important, explaining your mission and what problems you are solving is essential.
What energises you about your industry? What have you already accomplished in that field?
A call to action is something that I think everyone should have at the end of their LinkedIn profile. By that I mean telling the reader what they should do next, so in this case, directing the employer to connect with you elsewhere. Returning back to the 'contact info' section, it would be useful to have your email or business phone number to allow recruiters to speak with you externally from LinkedIn.
Follow Companies and Newsletters
To start getting posts on your feed about your specific industry, following newsletters from your dream companies would help feed the LinkedIn algorithm. By following certain companies, there will be a chance for you to apply for jobs through LinkedIn as companies often advertise new job openings via their newsletters and LinkedIn pages.
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Cold Messaging
This is something that not everyone likes doing, but it definitely helps. If you see a person that you are interested in connecting with, then sending them a quick message using the 'messaging' section of LinkedIn would be a good call. You could ask them about their personal experiences, how they got into their role, and of course what you should be doing in order to get your foot in the doorstep.
One-to-one connections are often built by connecting with users through cold calling. The worst they can do is not reply!
University Alumni Pages
If you are a university student then your university should have an alumni page on LinkedIn. This is where you can see where fellow graduates have gone to work. You can see what companies they now work for and what subjects they studied too, so if you're feeling a little lost in your career, then looking at other students' job stories could make you feel a little more inspired to look into working for certain companies.
To find this page, type the name of your university and click on the 'Alumni' button where you can search by title, keywords, job names, company names, etc. It would not be harmful to message students or teachers on those alumni pages through cold calling either!
Conclusive Personal Statements
The main thing I would say to someone is don't worry. Stop worrying about it: finding a job, connecting with people, trying to have the best profile out there. It's tough.
Finding work isn't easy these days, and LinkedIn can honestly make it feel as if everyone is getting a job except you. It's a place to flex, it's a space to brag, and it sucks. The best thing you can do is make sure your profile looks great and reads great so that employers.
Just be confident in your ability and understand that there is a world much bigger than LinkedIn (and that you do not have to stick to one particular industry either, our career pathways and choices will always change).
