LinkedIn Optimization Tips For Students: A Beginner Guide

Fresher Jobs

01 March 2022

4 min read

Students, pay attention!

LinkedIn now has over 145 million users. LinkedIn is a professional network, and students should consider it. Many firms check LinkedIn profiles before recruiting new graduates. Students are the fastest-growing demographic, according to LinkedIn.

Connect with individuals from all walks of life via the world's biggest professional network. You may learn, share ideas, and can look for work. Members use it to locate jobs, promote products/services, recruit talent, and connect with experts in their fields. 

Here are some tips:

1. Upload a suitable profile photo 

Too many LinkedIn users lack a profile picture. Their loss, since profiles with one, receive 15x more views.

It simply makes the entire experience more authentic for you, other members, and employers. I've heard recruiting managers, or prospective contacts use it as a first filter — no profile photo? You're out before you even get an interview or a connection.

Find or take a professional shot of yourself alone, facing ahead. No party photos, cartoon avatars.

2. Create an engaging profile headline

If you want a recruiter, hiring manager, or potential co-worker to know about you, tell them what excites you today, and if you can, what excites you in the future. 

Looking for inspiration? 

Look for inspiring co-workers, recent grads, or alums. Most alumni will happily connect with students or recent grad who shares their alma mater.

3. Invest in a robust network

 Do you know?

90% of job opportunities go unadvertised.

So how do you find out about them? Who you know. Statistically, it won't be who you know, but who they knew.

Beginners should start with quality over quantity and work their way up. Over time, you may expand your network to include co-workers, conference attendees, etc. After 100 connections – preferably from separate circles rather than overlapping – you start to see the network effect in action.

When sending a connection request to someone you don't know well or have worked with, customize it.

4. Don't tell. Show your work

 What better approach to impress potential employers than demonstrating your ability to think and produce?

You may submit public projects, blog articles, photos about your team or company, and even academic papers or your work achievements or any certifications.

This is essential for anybody working in design, multimedia production, the visual arts, journalism, writing/editing, or looking for a job or job change.

To share an idea or learn something new, you can now publish a blog post or article on LinkedIn and have it shared with your network and maybe beyond. It's a terrific method to be found and shows others what you care about. These posts will be visible to anybody who visits your profile.

5. Use keywords for better suggestions

 Find relevant keywords by exploring job listings and profiles of individuals in jobs you seek. How do they show off their skills? 

Include keywords and phrases in the "Skills & Endorsements" section.

Your talents might be acknowledged by your connections as well as your employers. This is your network collectively saying, "Yeah, he's excellent at that."

While you're on the subject of endorsements, you may ask for lengthier recommendations for your profile. Each job should have at least one suggestion. Recruiters value referrals from those who have personally supervised or worked with you. 

Regarding recommendations, follow the Golden Rule: if someone writes you one, offer to do the same for them.

6. Obtain your own LinkedIn URL

Many people's LinkedIn profiles appear at the top of a Google search. Use the settings on your LinkedIn and establish a unique URL (www.linkedin.com /in/pooja.joshi1). This differentiates you from the crowd.

7. Participate in Relevant LinkedIn Groups

 Groups are made up of people with common interests. For example, most corporations have groups to post positions and updates with HR managers. Depending on your job or academic interests, you will discover numerous LinkedIn groups. Sign up for these communities and start participating in open conversations.

Not everyone has expert opinions or revolutionary ideas, but you can start enjoying others' views and arguments. Like 'Great insights, really informative, respect your viewpoint' or 'Thanks for sharing.' You would be astonished how professionals visit your page to check you out and interact with you. 

Conclusion:

LinkedIn is like a job hunt that never stops when it comes to networking. However, there is a great deal more. It's a global representation of your personal and professional brand. If you want to appear at the top of a Google search, this is the platform you should aim for.

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