The current situation can be very challenging for job seekers and students looking for placements or work experience – but there are still many things you can do to improve your chances of success, like marketing yourself effectively online by creating a strong LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is not only your ‘live’ CV but it is also an incredibly helpful tool for planning your career, researching career options and actively engaging with employers for finding and enhancing work opportunities.

It goes without saying that the most important thing right now is to take care of your own physical and mental health and to minimise the risks to those around you. However, if you do have some spare time and have been meaning to set up and develop your LinkedIn profile, now can be a good time to start using our top tips below. For a more detailed overview of how to use LinkedIn to maximise your career success, check out our mini guide.

What is LinkedIn and why is it useful for students and graduates?

LinkedIn isn’t just a hosting service for your online CV – it’s a tool that you can use to build your personal brand and grow your professional network. This network can be a source of advice and guidance, both in your job hunt and throughout your career. Giving time and attention to your profile and being active on LinkedIn will also show recruiters that you have a genuine interest in their sector. Employers also use LinkedIn as a recruitment tool.

Put simply, LinkedIn is very useful for developing your professional identity, networking and gaining knowledge:

• Identity: create a professional online profile to complement your CV; ensure that potential employers are impressed by what they find when they google you.
• Network: join groups and make contacts with people working in your chosen sector – they may provide you with inside information or advice on getting in.
• Knowledge: find profiles of professionals in your chosen field, including LJMU alumni – you can learn how they got to where they are now, and use this to inform your own career path; search for organisations to follow by location or occupational sector.

Remember – LinkedIn isn’t only for people interested in corporate careers. Networking – making connections – is helpful for most sectors and industries.

Create a strong profile

• Aim to get your profile as close to 100% complete as possible. There are several different sections to fill out when putting together, or improving, a LinkedIn profile. One key thing to remember is that it is worth completing as many sections, and including as much information, as possible. Users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn. The site will give you prompts, hints and tips on how to get an ‘All-star profile’ as you add your details.
• Upload a recent professional looking photograph – initial impressions are important. Add a photo to your profile that helps you look friendly and approachable as well as professional – a headshot is ideal. Just by adding a photo, it makes you 14 times more likely to be found on LinkedIn.
• Education: detail your academic background. The education section of your profile is broadly similar to how you would structure the education section of your CV. You list the details of major qualifications in reverse chronological order. Try to include a good amount of detail about your degree – for example information about specific modules and about your dissertation. Recruiters will often search for potential candidates with specific degrees at specific institutions, so any information on top of this will help to differentiate yourself from other students and graduates.
• Promote your work experience on LinkedIn. Follow prompts to list your work experiences, any courses you have taken and voluntary work. You do not have to add all of them – choose the ones that add value to your profile, that you are proud of, or that you would like to show up in searches. Use the ‘media’ section to link to your work in progress or achievements. Include blog posts, magazine articles, your photographs/artwork, a business you created, videos, or social media accounts you have helped with. If there is something you are proud of, make sure it’s there!

Get recommendations!

One great feature of LinkedIn is that you can ask current or former employers and colleagues to share their positive comments about you in the ‘recommendations’ section. Recruiters and professionals looking at your profile will take notice of this. Here people you have worked with can write a few sentences advocating you and your capabilities. This is seen as a concrete endorsement of you and your skills. There is a drop-down menu in the ‘recommendations’ section of your profile that makes it easy to reach out to specific contacts. Take the time to think about who you would most value a recommendation from, then personalise your request.

Network

LinkedIn, as the name suggests, is all about linking up with people in your industry or field of expertise. You can connect with people you have worked or studied with, people you have met at events or conferences, or anyone from work experience placements or internships. With many professionals currently working from home, this could be a good time to catch their attention. You could try to connect with them on LinkedIn to ask for any career tips. You never know: if you build up a good relationship with them, they may be able to recommend you for any work experience opportunities in the future or even have you work-shadow them when things return to normal.

Other ways to network include joining ‘LinkedIn Groups’. Sometimes jobs are advertised in these groups as employers often target them when posting jobs, so it is a great way of staying informed. Follow companies and ensure your contact details are listed, making it easier for potential employers to get in touch. You will then get posts whenever they publish on LinkedIn. Follow relevant influencers as this helps to put a range of interesting content in your feed, which you can then share with others.

Share some posts and showcase your work

Once you are on your way to a ‘complete profile’ you should start thinking about the power of the LinkedIn home feed. If you read an article that you find interesting and is related to the career you are aiming for, then share it. Being active on LinkedIn shows professionalism and ambition – two traits that are highly attractive to employers. As previously mentioned, LinkedIn also allows you to upload documents to support your profile. If you are looking to enter a profession that will need proof of your work, then make use of this feature.

Finally do not forget about your profile once you are set up and all sections have been completed – the best LinkedIn users will keep their profiles up to date with new experiences, accomplishments and skills. It’s also not the number of connections that will benefit you but the quality of your network. Always be on the lookout for useful people to connect with and maintain your reputation by actively participating in discussions.

Further advice and information

If you would like some more help and advice about setting up your LinkedIn profile, you can also book a remote appointment with a member of the Careers Team by telephone, video or email. Call 0151 231 8740, email careers@ljmu.ac.uk or visit the Careers Team website.

Also, check out our programme of webinars (online classes) to help you negotiate the current employment landscape, and to search for and apply for jobs. Our webinar, ‘Maximising LinkedIn for your career’, is running this week and will be repeated regularly in the coming weeks.