I know you’ve probably heard this a thousand times but I’m going to say it once more. If you do not exist on the Internet, you don’t exist at all.
Some might ask what is the best way to exist on the Internet in a professional manner?
The answer is simple: LinkedIn.
What better way to showcase your talents and resume than by putting it all on the Internet?
LinkedIn is a simple, and useful tool for college students, as well as anyone who is looking for a job. On the flip side, LinkedIn is also a great recruiting tool, which is not something that everyone is aware of. In order to make the most of your LinkedIn experience, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
1. Personalize your page
This might sound obvious but what I mean is choose a professional photo, personalize your page link, and keep your email simple. Your photo is the first thing people will see when they look at your LinkedIn profile. Looking presentable is extremely important. Remember, “always dress for the job you want, not the job you have.”
Personalizing your page link is a small but beneficial feature used to make most out of your LinkedIn profile. “Www.linkedin.com/in/YOURNAME” makes it easier for future employers or interviewers to find you on LinkedIn rather than having the typical mix of random numbers at the end.
Including a simple email is another aspect to take into account on LinkedIn. No one wants to be emailing, “coolcat42@hotmail.com,” so please, do us all a favor and use a more professional email such as your school email or “[first name][last name]@gmail.com.” It’ll make it easier for people to contact you and it will save you a great deal of embarrassments.
2. Keep it sweet, simple, and to the point
When listing the internships or jobs you have worked in the past, it’s important to stay away from paragraphs when describing each one. Instead, use a bulleted list to explain the tasks you were responsible for at each job. By doing so, it allows your profile to appear clean and easy to read.
No employer wants to read through a massive paragraph about your previous job. Bullet points are quick and simple, allowing them to see the important tasks you were in charge of, rather than all the filler words you would most likely use.
3. Follow & Connect
Follow companies you are interested and connect with everyone you have met in the field you are interested in. The companies you follow appear at the bottom of your profile, allowing people to see what you’re interested, especially recruiters.
As for connecting with other people, this is the entire point of LinkedIn. Connecting with them will allow you to view the content they post on LinkedIn, and you will be a part of their “connections” making it easier for people who are also connected with them to find you, like prospective employers for example.
Small changes like these can make a huge difference. It could be the difference between getting hired or losing an opportunity that could help your career flourish. Be smart, use LinkedIn, and use it wisely. LinkedIn is all about building your professional identity online; it’s networking taken to the next level.