With numerous networking sites available out there, LinkedIn remains the favourite networking resource for most students because it is powerful and worth learning. One major advantage of LinkedIn is that not only can you view an array of opportunities on the market, you can also put your best self forward by highlighting previous projects. In fact, there is even a “LinkedIn Learning” section where you can brush up on new skills based on your interests.
LinkedIn is the place for students and recent grads to find jobs and internships. It is a powerful tool but isn’t one to use passively. Updating your profile to be 100% complete is already a given, but if you leave your account untouched for days, you can’t expect prospective employers to come flocking your way, let alone your dream job. Instead, make LinkedIn work for you by following these tips or steps to land your dream job or internship opportunity.
1. Become an expert: Check out LinkedIn Today’s news dashboard and Influencer posts for the top daily headlines, join Groups, and follow new industry-specific channels.
2. Have a strong headline: Get noticed. Your profile is not the place to be shy! Write a concise but descriptive headline like "XYZ University honours student & aspiring PR associate," “Entry-level creative professional,” or “Finance major seeking investment banking internship.”
3. Include keywords: Recruiters search LinkedIn for candidates. Use the key words and phrases they use. Find examples from job descriptions you’re going after, or profiles of people who have the jobs you want, and pepper them throughout the Summary and Skills & Expertise sections.
4. Take advantage of student profile sections: Be sure to complete the profile sections designed just for students, such as Courses, Projects, Languages, Certifications, and Organizations. Keywords are good here too. Complete profiles get 40x more opportunities!
5. Talk about all your relevant experiences: Experience doesn’t have to be paid or full-time to be on your profile. Your Experience section can include internships, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or projects that have given you real-world skills. You never know what might catch an employer’s eye.
6. Build your network: Grow your network by sending personalized LinkedIn connection requests to everyone you know such as friends, family, neighbours, teachers, colleagues, classmates, and more.
7. Ask your network for help: 70% of jobs are found through networking. Once you connect, send customized messages (no mass emails!) to say you’re job-hunting. Ask for advice, an informational interview, or if they know anyone in your desired field. Connect one-on-one and others will be willing to make the effort for you.
8. Find “ins” where you want to work: Heard of LinkedIn Company pages? Visit them for organizations you want to work for and see if you’re connected to anyone who works or has worked there. And check out LinkedIn’s Alumni Tool to see what grads of your school are up to.
9. Search the Student Jobs Portal: The Student Jobs Portal is just for you. It has all the entry-level job and internship postings on LinkedIn. Search by job role or review postings from featured companies. Apply for positions and the employer will be able to see your full LinkedIn profile.
10. Get gutsy: Don’t be afraid to reach out directly to a recruiter on LinkedIn. One strategy is to first apply to a position you want and then send a message to the recruiter who posted the opportunity (you can often find this information in the job posting).
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