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What's in it for Students?

LinkedIn is not just a career platform but also a form of social media. According to the Society for Human Resource Management research, about 90% of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn.

1. To build a strong network of professional contacts
2. Interact with industry experts and potential employers
3. Find jobs
4. To research companies, you may wish to work with
5. To create a professional profile including recommendations and skill endorsements

Chinh Ngo wrote an article for bestcolleges.com on 12 May 2021 called "How to Use LinkedIn as a College Student," and When Chinh wrote his article, LinkedIn, launched in 2003, had more than 750 million users across over 200 countries.

Chinh says, "LinkedIn allows you to display your credentials, post-academic updates, and interact with industry experts and potential employers. While basic access is free, premium subscriptions offer extra tools to help you land a job, grow a business, follow leads, and hire talent."

Topuniversities.com also published an article called "Reasons Why Every Student Should Be on LinkedIn" by Shannon Clark.

Shannon says once you have finished making your LinkedIn profile, start connecting with people you know, whether it is your friends, lecturers, etc.

Connect with people in the industry you want to work in can provide a network of contacts. The more you do this, the closer you get to a job, perhaps through people referring you to a recruiter.

1 - NETWORKING is one of the key features of LinkedIn

To build a strong network of professional contacts, ask LinkedIn members to connect, and that will also mean you can be part of their network just by clicking the 'connect' button on their bio. You can also get many new contacts if you use the 'People You May Know' tool or invite people in your own email contact list to sign up.

When sending messages, insincere messages on LinkedIn can be perceived as spam or advertising, and the person might ignore your message.

Chinh says, "Make sure to personalise your messages, state your intent, and be respectful of that person's time and attention. Whether welcoming new connections or following up with a recruiter, don't rely on LinkedIn's automatic suggestions. Authentic communication leads to future opportunities."

LinkedIn members also post articles on the platform.

You can build a sense of trust and acceptance with the people you talk to by interacting within an industry through liking, commenting on, and sharing posts.

This can lead to more connections too.

LinkedIn Groups.

Join groups and follow companies where you have a common interest.

Chinh says, "LinkedIn groups act as forums where you can demonstrate knowledge and connect with like-minded people. Find groups by using the site's recommendation and search functions. Check who in your network belongs to a given group, and use current connections to build future ones."

Your LinkedIn conversations may even lead to in-person meetings over coffee if the other person is in your town/city. LinkedIn might have regional networking events facilitated by your groups.

2 - Get job alerts

Did you know companies post jobs on Linkedin?

LinkedIn particularly useful for students. As a member, LinkedIn can send job alerts automatically to you for certain jobs or from favourite companies, industries - even specific job titles

Shannon says, "You can program LinkedIn to send you job alerts for certain companies, industries, or specific job titles."

Shannon says, "Employers will receive a snapshot of your profile, along with the option to access additional details. Make sure your photo, summary, and credentials reflect your professionalism and strengths."

Apply for Jobs

Use LinkedIn's 'Easy Apply' feature to add additional files to your stored CV.

An employers will receive a snapshot of your profile with an option to access additional details ensure you a strong profile with your photo, summary, and credentials reflect your professionalism and strengths.

3 - interact with industry experts and potential employers

Let the companies find you.

When you apply for jobs, your possible employer will search the Internet to know more about you. LinkedIn allows the recruiter to find the information you want them to find instead of seeing your Facebook and other social media accounts. Students often get a bad reputation for their social media records. You can stop this on Facebook by changing your security settings, set it only to allow your friends to see your profile.

Talk to Recruiters

Help recruiters and industry insiders get to know you better by sending personalised messages that explain your interests and goals.

Another advantage is the opportunity for you to do a bit of research on a company.

Shannon says, "You can [use LinkedIn to] conduct your own research into the company, and the employer so that you can go into your interview feeling as prepared as possible."

Use LinkedIn's search tool to search for recruiters by industry and location.

You can send personalised messages to recruiters and industry insiders that explain your interests and goals. Remember to keep your profile up-to-date if you want recruiters to view your profile for possible opportunities, organisational objectives, hiring practices, and current projects."

Chinh goes further and suggests that you buy the Premium Career package for $29.99 per month. He says, "LinkedIn Premium Career lets you directly message recruiters, compare yourself with other applicants, view salary details on job postings, and see who has viewed your profile."

4 - Create a professional profile including recommendations and skill endorsements

Having a LinkedIn account as a student proves that you are serious about your career. Ideally, join LinkedIn in your first year of university so that you can show a progression across your years of study.

1. Provide your academic and any work history.
2. Upload a professional photo of yourself
3. Keep your profile up to date
4. Ask for recommendations
5. Ask for skill endorsements

CV

Complete this section with as much information as you can to prove to employers that you are a well-rounded individual with many skills that you could put to good use in the workplace. Add information relevant but detailed so employers can gain insight into your abilities.

Photo

Upload a quality photo to your LinkedIn profile, a photograph humanises your profile and makes you appear more approachable and gives a good impression to a connection or a recruiter.

Not having a professional photo could be why your invitations are being ignored. CHECK OUT OUR ARTICLE - How to Take and Choose a Professional Photo for LinkedIn

Requesting Recommendations

LinkedIn recommendations provide written testimony of your experience, skills, character and accomplishments from someone in your network.

Customise recommendation requests and remember to send thank-you notes afterwards.

Getting Skill Endorsements

Asking for endorsed means that other LinkedIn users testify that you have the skills on your LinkedIn profile. However, anyone can endorse your skills. So ask for endorsements from people who you've worked with or people you know well.

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CONCLUSION

Create a detailed and engaging profile, update your status regularly, and explore job postings to get the most out of LinkedIn.

LinkedIn allows you to have your CV and cover letter permanently online.

Also, you never know who you may meet – it could be a famous person.