Deliving In: LinkedIn as a College Student

The rise of LinkedIn has contributed to the stress of college students. Comparing connection counts with friends and the anxiety fueled acts of ensuring profiles are being viewed on private mode are likely familiar phenomena to those who are avid users. This is not to say LinkedIn is not advantageous to those who take the time to develop their profiles, understand the platform’s offerings, and consistently engage with other users. Keep reading to learn more about how to strengthen your profile and get the most out of the LinkedIn experience.

There is no “right” way to go about building your LinkedIn. Every individual’s profile is uniquely their own and this is how you stand out to recruiters and companies. However, there are a few concrete tips & tricks to enhance your chances of finding meaningful connections and roles on the platform. Making sure your profile picture is professional is vital, but you do not need to pay for a photographer; your cell phone and a neutral background can easily suffice. Along the same lines, stick to a concise headline that highlights where you currently are in your professional development. The biography section is an excellent space to elaborate on your education, interests, and goals through using the platform. For instance, if you are looking to network with individuals in the marketing space, then you can include that in your bio. Your experience section should detail any and all internships, and jobs. Consider adding volunteer and projects sections to round out your experience. You can also turn your profile into a portfolio by attaching reports, slide decks, prototypes, etc to your experiences and projects. To save time, you can copy and paste your resume bullet points to develop your LinkedIn profile.

Posting on LinkedIn can seem daunting at first, but it is a great way of keeping your network updated with your professional development. While posting every single day or week may be a bit of a stretch, periodic updates and/or announcements can be greatly beneficial. When posting, including a graphic helps your content stand out and also adds a personal spin. Feel free to tag individuals who played a part in that experience. Recruiters, individuals you networked with, Cal Poly professors, and/or Cal Poly organizations could be worth mentioning! Don’t be afraid to repost content you found insightful, helpful, or interesting either. Maintaining a steady flow of activity on LinkedIn opens you up to opportunities you may not have had otherwise.

At the end of the day, LinkedIn is only one piece of the professionalism puzzle. The platform alone won’t get you to where you want to be, but it is a useful resource that can amplify your potential. If you’re reading this and have questions, insights, or need a second pair of eyes, please feel free to schedule an appointment with a Career Peer at the Career Readiness Center!

Stay tuned for a part two on how to start proactively networking on LinkedIn.