Optimize your LinkedIn | Using Social Employment Platforms to your Advantage

Post graduation you’ve passed your classes, walked the stage, and grabbed your degree. Now what?  A lot of students after graduation struggle to find a job, and a large part of that is a lack of preparation. Optimizing your outdated LinkedIn page is a great start to get you on the right path to finding a job or career. Your LinkedIn page basically serves itself as a portfolio. It’s less about listing every job you’ve ever had and more about showing your skills and where you’re heading next.

The first thing to fix is that headline. "Student at [Blank University]", too basic, and it’s a missed opportunity. You want to use that section to tell people what you actually do. If you’re a designer, say that. If you’re into business analytics, put it right there. It makes you way more searchable and instantly tells people what skills you bring to the table. Pair that with a professional headshot and you’re already ahead of half the people in your graduating class.

When it comes to the "About" section, make sure to write in first person. It’s your profile, ensuring that it reflects your personality, especially now with advancements in Ai. Recruiters want to employ a real person and not a robot. Keep it casual but professional. Like we’ve talked about in previous posts regarding your portfolio, the goal here is to find that sweet spot between your technical skills and your actual personality. Mention the accomplishments that you’re proud of, but also talk about what drives you. People hire people, not just a list of skills, so this section is dependent on a blend of being personable and professional.

Finally, start being a bit more active than just "liking" a post once a month. Leave a few comments, connect with others. LinkedIn at the end of the day is also a social platform, being active makes your profile much stronger. It shows you’re actually engaged with your field rather than just looking for a paycheck. It takes maybe ten minutes a week, but the payoff of staying on people’s radars is huge when those entry-level jobs start opening up.