Ever since it emerged as a major social media platform, LinkedIn has been a go-to for professionals across the globe to network with each other. However, many students generally do not get on to the platform, assuming that it may not be for them, and choose to wait until they have finished their graduation to create their profile.
If you are one of those students who feel that way, you must know this: LinkedIn provides a ton of benefits for students! So getting onto the platform as early as possible is crucial, if you're keen on steady professional growth from your early student years.
Unlike other social networking platforms such as Facebook and Instagram that are about posting daily status updates, creative artistic posts, and likes, LinkedIn focuses on professional and career enhancement. The platform is filled with internship opportunities, some of which could lead to full-time employment in the future.
On your profile, you can upload your resume, sample work, and recommendations to network and open the doors to new and exciting opportunities. As an international student, you will also have the added advantage of having international education and exposure, cross-culture communication, etc., which makes your profile stand out among the rest.
The question here is, how do you market yourself in a highly competitive job market on Linkedin?
Why do you need a LinkedIn profile as a student?
There is a common misconception that students do not need a LinkedIn profile or that it isn't too important. Although this may have been partially true until a few years ago, 2020 changed it for good. The job market went dry and many fresh graduates and professionals were left without a job. It would not be possible to avoid this situation entirely, but by networking and building contacts, you can improve your chances of getting employed.
Don't worry! We will take you through everything you need to set up the perfect LinkedIn profile and build your professional network.
So go on and read till the end to know more!
How to effectively use LinkedIn?
It is important to understand that although LinkedIn is a social networking platform just like Facebook or Instagram, it is not just about fun and frills. On LinkedIn, you will be presenting yourself to future employers and hiring managers. Hence, you must be mindful of the content you share on your profile.
You can easily and effectively search and find job or internship opportunities by simply joining relevant groups, following companies you want to work with, or by checking your feed regularly. LinkedIn pushes opportunities your way once you have notifications enabled for job alerts in your area, role/position, or companies.
Posting simple update posts on what you are doing in the industry or about a recent skill you learned or a certification you did will help your connections (similar to friends on Facebook) know what you are doing.
How do you build a student LinkedIn profile?
We understand that as a student, you may or may not have any work experience to add to your resume and profile. But, there are a few things that you can add to your profile to help it stand out amongst the crowd. Here are some simple steps you can follow as a student to create your very own 'All-Stars' profile:
- Appearance Matters: Appearing presentable and professional is the first impression you need to create when people view your profile. Use a profile photo where you are well-dressed and groomed. If possible have a few professional photos clicked. Focus on showcasing your key areas of interest and skills in the headline area.
- About Section: In the about section, you have 2600 characters at your disposal. Use this space to talk about your interests, what sort of value addition you might bring to an organization and other crucial pieces of information that might increase your chances of getting employed.
- Start Networking: Start networking, and send connection requests to people from your industry or field of interest. This not only helps with finding new opportunities, but also gives you a fair idea of what skills, services, and opportunities are available for people in your field and level of expertise.
- Gather Recommendations: As you network, add people from your school or university such as your professors or peers you worked with, and request them to write you recommendations. These recommendations add a lot of value to your profile and make you look credible. Try to have at least one recommendation that talks in detail about your skills and contributions instead of a generic "John Doe did a good job on the XYZ assignment/project.
- Strike A Balance: Gone are the days when employers looked at just the skills and experience. Modern employers also look for things about you that are truly unique. So, make sure you add a touch of your personality while still keeping it professional.
- Include All Your Wins: As a student, you may not have a lot of work experience. But, you definitely would've participated in several competitions and group projects. So make sure you add all of them, along with any volunteering or internship experiences you might have had on your profile. The same goes for your resume as well.
Here are a few more bonus pointers to build your profile!
- Start networking from within your circle, send connection requests to people you went to high school, camp, or university with, and also add teachers and professors who wished you well along your journey. This will get the number of your connections up much quicker and makes it easier for new connections to accept your invitation.
- Every time you make a new connection, make sure you send them a short-warm thank you note. This acts as an ice-breaker and paves way for future conversations.
- If you are not sure about what to write in your headline or the about section, go through the profiles of people in your field and industry to get an idea.
Building your LinkedIn profile as a student might be a little intimidating at first. But the truth is that it is easier than you think!
All you need to do is take some time out of your day and explore all that the platform has to offer to you. Remember to take it one step at a time and build your network steadily. This way, you can slowly, but surely build a wholesome profile that reflects your personality, which would eventually draw the attention of potential employers and other useful connections.
We hope you found these tips helpful to build your profile and best showcase your potential. We believe we have covered all the bases, but feel free to explore and have some fun building a profile unique to your personality.
If you plan on traveling abroad or wish to pursue your higher education overseas, you can get in touch with our expert guidance counselors and migration agents to guide you through it all. Click here to get in touch with our expert team.