How to Use and Navigate LinkedIn: Step by Step
Building a professional network is one of the most beneficial things you can do to jumpstart your career in time for graduation, especially if you are from an underrepresented group. Being FirstGen, it’s likely you don’t know someone who knows someone who can land you an interview at a Big Four firm or companies alike. Without a hand-me-down network of influential ties from your parents, professional networking can seem inaccessible to begin with. So, where do you start? The answer is LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a business networking and job-searching social media platform- or as I like to call it, Facebook for professionals. It’s become one of the go-to places for individuals, recruiters, and companies, big and small, to connect with each other, share ideas and find the most lucrative opportunities; LinkedIn was even where I first became aware of FirstGens!
In 2022 LinkedIn saw record levels of user engagement, both free and paid memberships, and it’s obvious to see why. No matter where you are in your career, LinkedIn has a range of benefits. With the right approach, you find your dream graduate job, expand your network, explore career options you might not know about, and find new opportunities to develop your skills. Yes, you might only be a first year, or you might be a graduate already in your first job, regardless, it’s never too early or too late to join.
To demonstrate just how beneficial LinkedIn can be, while in the process of writing this blog post, I reached out to my network asking them to share their best tips for using LinkedIn. I got some great responses that I will be sharing and even made a few connections along the way.
Step 1: Building Your Profile:
The first and most crucial step to using LinkedIn is to build an attractive profile. Start by using a professional profile picture and cover photo- these are the first things people will see when viewing your profile, so it’s important to make a strong first impression and it will make it easier for potential connections to find you. Your profile picture should ideally be of you in a clear setting, such as a headshot, with minimal or no background clutter. A cover photo is an opportunity to give your profile some personality. Something that expresses your identity and adds depth to your story, but still keeps it professional.
Next, add a compelling headline that showcases your current roles. This could be your degree subject and university or any of the extracurricular positions you currently hold; if you’re the treasurer for Just Dance society, let everyone know!
Now, similar to a CV, it's time to add all your experience. It can be daunting to look at other people’s profiles if they have done 17 different internships, but remember, all experience can be portrayed well and even your Saturday job has a multitude of transferable skills, so make sure to include it. Use the description box to highlight a summary of your responsibilities within that position and all the skills you gained.
To really add the cherry on top of the cake that is your profile, make sure to write a compelling ‘About’ section. This can include your interests, what you hope to gain from LinkedIn, your future aspirations and anything else that makes you stand out from the crowd. I personally like to include a line inviting people to message me if they feel I can be of any help to them. If you’re in the creative industry, don’t forget to include a link to your online portfolio or any work you have done.
Setting up your profile might seem like a mammoth task (especially if you have a lot of experience and extracurriculars) but breaking it down can make it feel much more manageable. Try spending 10 minutes a day curating your page and it will be done in no time. Once your profile is set up, don’t forget to keep it up to date, and stay active. Repost news articles, blogs, and other links with your thoughts for your network to see and engage with.
Step 2: Networking:
So, your profile is built, what now? Time to get networking!
A great way to start is by searching for people you already know. These could be your coursemates, peers, friends, people you work with or your dissertation supervisor. Then you can move on to sending connections to people working in your field of interest. A great tip for building connections is to personalise your connection requests, perhaps highlight why you want to connect, or something you have in common. If you're unsure, there are plenty of templates to guide you.
You can also join groups to find like-minded people, such as groups for first-generation students, allowing you to build relationships with people who share similar experiences and can help you find support and resources to help you reach your goals. These groups provide an online space for you to connect and discuss topics of common interest. Additionally, many of these groups offer mentorship opportunities. If you have read my previous blog post you already know how beneficial mentors can be, giving you the chance to ask questions and get advice from experienced first-generation professionals.
When building your network, don’t be afraid to message people if you have questions or feel they could help you in your journey from first-generation student to graduate success. Just think how flattered you would be if someone wanted your advice. At worst, they won’t respond (no harm done), but they could respond with words of wisdom that could help you massively. There are no hard and fast rules to networking, especially on LinkedIn, so just throw yourself in and get involved. Through trial and error, you will find how you like to do things and what works best for you.
Step 3: Job Searching:
When it comes to job searching, LinkedIn is an invaluable tool. You can search for job postings, reach out to recruiters and hiring managers, and even apply for jobs directly from the platform. You can also use the platform to research potential employers and get a better understanding of the company culture. But the benefits don’t just extend to jobs, you can find internships and other great opportunities too.
While you can use the jobs tab to browse, turning on job alerts will send you email notifications highlighting specific opportunities that suit your interests and qualifications, and adding an “Open to Work” banner to your profile will encourage employers and recruiters to reach out. You can also utilise your newfound network and make a post asking people if they know of any suitable vacancies or opportunities.
If you are unsure what you want to do (it’s ok to not know!) browse some of your connections’ pages, see what they studied and what industry they pursued and even drop them a message to find out more. It might open your eyes to jobs you didn’t even know existed!
Step 4: Final Tips:
Before we finish here are a few final top tips to make your LinkedIn debut a success:
Stay in the know by following relevant graduate employers- check out their latest events and opportunities!
If you aren’t a natural with posting on LinkedIn, set yourself reminders to post something.
If you are really struggling, speak to your university careers team for help- it’s what they are there for!