6 LinkedIn Tips for Graduates

As a graduate, LinkedIn can play a pivotal role in helping to secure a graduate job as well as allowing you to establish a presence in your industry.

We do not doubt that you have been told to use LinkedIn at some stage. Well, the recommendations are apt. LinkedIn is a great tool that you can utilise to build your personal brand and grow your professional network. Moreover, as many as 60% of job vacancies are unadvertised. So how are you supposed to secure a role when it isn’t being advertised for?!

...By using LinkedIn.

By uploading, networking and establishing a presence on the site, you are informing your network about your skills, capabilities and qualifications. So, when a hiring manager, small business owner or fellow professional is aware of you, they are more likely to approach you with an opportunity in mind.

But how do you use LinkedIn as a graduate?

1: Have a profile picture

According to LinkedIn, profiles with a profile picture are 14 TIMES more likely to be viewed than a profile that doesn’t. So, if you’ve been holding off trying to take a suitable picture... take one now! You’re automatically putting yourself at a disadvantage by not having one.

2: Secure your personal URL

As a new grad in 2021, it's almost guaranteed that your employer will Google your name during the application process. And unlike your Facebook and Instagram profile, you want your LinkedIn profile to appear first in search results.

Improve your personal SEO by following this handy guide explaining how to change your URL from user 7492020 to your actual name

3: Plan your Summary statement

Your summary statement will be the first bulk of information that a person reads from your LinkedIn profile. Since first impressions matter, it's essential that you succinctly tell a reader who you are and why you're different from all the other graduates on LinkedIn.

The best way to do this is to treat the Summary section like a condensed version of your cover letter.

Explain your career goals, your qualifications and what experience you have which is contributing towards your goals. Describe why these goals motivate you and what your skills include. Additionally, make sure you're clear and confident in this section and if you're not - fake it until you make it!

By including your goals, it’ll demonstrate to a hiring manager that you’re driven and determined, an essential trait which they will look for in a new hire. Furthermore, recruiters have seen and read thousands of different course titles from thousands of different students, what WILL grab their attention is a student or new graduate who tells them what their aims, goals and passions are.

It's also worth noting that your Summary section should be where you include key phrases and buzzwords, not everyone in the book, just the ones that are relevant to you and what make you unique. And if you have a niche skill, mention it here! If the right person sees it, you're on for a winner!

4: Prove it

Don't just say that you can write engaging, convincing copy... prove it.

LinkedIn allows you to upload articles and pin them to your page. You can also add documents, photos, videos and presentations. So, share your past work (even if they’re past projects for university!) Because with an optimised profile, you will stand out and add substance to your claims, which will be impressive for a potential employer.

5: Experience

As with any section on your LinkedIn profile, don’t cut corners. You must include what your responsibilities were in a role, how long you held the position for and what skills you gained from each job. Also, don’t forget to include your different job roles whilst working for one company, it’ll demonstrate to recruiters that you’re committed and able to take on more responsibility.

But what if you don't have work experience? Well, according to a study, 41% of LinkedIn recruiters say they consider volunteering on par with full-time paid work experience. So don’t neglect any voluntary work you did alongside your studies!

And if you feel you’re lacking experience and you are ready to gain some relevant, paid marketing experience, get in touch to find out how we can help.

6: Connect with people

After all, LinkedIn is a social networking site, so it is good practice to be social.

Send connection requests to people you know, peers, ex-colleagues and university lecturers. Also, connect with people you aspire to work with, alumni from your university, potential employers. But if you are sending an invite to someone that you don’t know personally, it's good LinkedIn etiquette to include a personalised message to them, explain what you’re hoping to get out of the connection or why you’re sending it.

Ready to start networking?

If you’re now feeling ready to head over to LinkedIn and iron out your profile, don’t let us stop you! But if you find your experience section looking a bit sparse, get in contact with us to see how we can help.

Our Digital Career Development Programme can give you experience in digital marketing (which could lead to more freelance projects or valuable work experience that will be attractive to a future employer!) To learn more, send us an email.