How to get started with LinkedIn
Tips on building a stronger profile.
One of the greatest tools we have as students to build our network and get our foot in the door at our dream company is LinkedIn. Especially right now during the midst of a pandemic, when there are little to no opportunities to interact with other people. LinkedIn can be thought of as a professional social media platform. Like all the other social media apps on your phone, it should be checked regularly and updated with anything you are working on or have previously done as it relates to your career goals. In today’s newsletter, we will go over a few tips to get you started on building a strong profile.
Make sure you have a “professional” headshot. The first thing people will see as they are scrolling through their feed and recommended connections is your profile picture. By no means should it be a selfie that you took in your bathroom or a gym picture. If your university offers a workshop to get a professional headshot definitely take advantage of this, but if not, a picture taken on your phone against a blank wall dressed in business attire will also do the trick.
Keep your experience updated and relevant. Take some time and attention to think about what you have listed under your experience. Maybe it’s not the best idea to put down your JV quarterback middle school experience. Instead, ask yourself the following questions when deciding what to put down on your profile:
What does this say/show about me?
Did I develop any skills that will further my career?
Do I still remember what I learned from this experience?
Be authentic. Apart from acting as an extended version of your resume, LinkedIn also gives you the opportunity to put forward a narrative about yourself. Write a bio that reflects where you are currently at in your career and what your passion and aspirations are. Don’t be afraid to post things that aren’t solely accomplishments or awards. Recently, LinkedIn users have begun the trend of sharing their struggles and failures. This reflects transparency and also lets people in your network know if they can help you in any way.
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