Over time, landscapes shift, and new tools emerge that quickly become indispensable.
In the world of careers and job searching, that tool is LinkedIn.
We use LinkedIn every day to identify and engage hard-to-find candidates. Your LinkedIn profile can act as a public job application, and that alone should be reason enough to invest in your profile.
If you take the time to build a high-quality profile and utilize LinkedIn as the networking platform it is built to be, the return on that effort can be massive.
How To Build A Standout Profile
- Invest in a Professional Headshot + Banner
Many colleges offer opportunities to get your professional headshot taken. If this is not available to you or you are not able to invest in a professional photo, headshots can absolutely be taken at home. It’s important to be intentional: find a clean background, wear professional attire, and ensure good lighting. Avoid using casual or cropped photos; take the time to snap an intentional photo for your LinkedIn profile.
Don’t overlook your profile banner! A city skyline or campus landscape image can add significant personality and polish to your profile.
- Optimize the About Section
This Is one of the most important and underutilized sections on LinkedIn. Use it to craft your narrative and summarize what you’ve done, what you’re good at, and what you’re looking for while also adding some color about yourself.
Keep it concise, but intentional and authentic.
- Use Your Resume
There is no need to exhaust your efforts and reinvent the wheel. If you have a well-crafted resume, use it.
Don’t stop after listing a general title and start/end dates. Be sure to include:
- Your full title (team, group, or industry if relevant
- Key Responsibilities
- Measurable impact (deals, projects, outcomes)
Many candidates add a general title, their start date, and that’s it. This tells recruiters nothing about what team you’re on, what you do, and how successful you are in this role. This is a great opportunity to highlight the value you bring to your team and to include measurable, results-oriented data.
- Add Your Education
Include your school, graduation year, and major/minor. If you have a strong GPA, add it.
Adding your graduation year helps recruiters quickly gauge your experience level. Many recruiters also value seeing where you went to high school, as it can often lead to valuable color on your background and potential points of connection.
- Don’t Neglect Add-Ons
LinkedIn provides spaces to add licenses, certifications, volunteering experience, languages, and organization involvement.
Adding relevant information to these sections builds character into your profile and makes you feel like a real person to recruiters and hiring teams.
- Get Your Skills Endorsed
Leverage your connections with coworkers to get your skills endorsed.
This won’t make or break your profile, but seeing that others vouch for your skills can add valuable credibility to recruiters.
- Customize your LinkedIn URL
Another small, but meaningful addition.
Clean URLs are easier to share, look clean, and signal professionalism (e.g., firstnamelastname, firstinitiallastname).
- Stay Updated & Active
There is no need to overdo it, but even when you are settled into a position, ensure your profile stays up to date.
Easy ways to engage and keep your name active:
- Like and comment on posts
- Congratulate people on new roles
- Keep your experience updated
Many young professionals become inactive on LinkedIn after landing their first role out of college. Your career will rarely start and end with your first role, so don’t fall into this trap and remember that your network compounds with activity!
How To Leverage Connections
LinkedIn is a platform designed to help you leverage close connections, and more importantly, connections one to three degrees removed from your immediate circle.
Use it. Don’t be afraid to make connections and message them with curiosity to gain understanding in any professional capacity.
Start with people you know, and begin to expand your network through:
- Alumni networks
- Shared companies
- Mutual connections
When you reach out to professionals, be direct, concise, and intentional.
If relevant, explain how you’re connected or include small points of connection, as it can increase response rates. Complimenting their growth, experience, or career broadly can also go a long way.
Sample Messages
Initial Outreach: Hi [Name], I came across your profile and am impressed with your experience at [firm, company name]. I’m exploring similar paths and would love to connect.
Request to Chat: Hi [Name], I am currently an Analyst at [firm] and am interested in [industry/role]. I’d greatly value 10-15 minutes to hear about your experience at [company]. Please let me know if you are open to chatting.
Recruiter Outreach: Hi [Name], my name is [Name], and I’m currently an [role title] at [firm]. I’m exploring [specific role/industry] opportunities in [location/timing]. I’d welcome the chance to connect and learn more about any relevant opportunities you’re working on.
Follow-Up Message: Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up in case my previous message got buried. I’d still really appreciate the chance to connect if you have availability. Thanks again!
Thank You Message: Thank you again for taking the time to speak. I really appreciate your insights on [specific details/topics]. It was extremely helpful to hear your perspective as I consider my next steps.
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn is more than a place to host your resume. It’s a network and a valuable tool to:
- Stay intellectually curious
- Build real relationships
- Learn from people who inspire you
Leverage alumni tools, follow companies that you admire, and reach out to people whose careers interest you.
Most importantly, do not go stale on people just because you found a job. In any community, you must do your part to expect help in return.
LinkedIn is a long-term asset for your professional career. The more time you invest in it, the more it will pay off.
Recent Comments