Leveraging LinkedIn

A lot of professionals use LinkedIn. In fact, according to LinkedIn’s About Us page, LinkedIn has 244 million members in North America and 2 billion worldwide. On LinkedIn, six people are hired every minute and 28 million people have added #OpenToWork frames to their profiles. Every week, 65 million people use LinkedIn to search for jobs, and over 12 million contribute to collaborative articles, making LinkedIn popular and giving good reason to leverage it. Here’s how to begin:

Develop Your Profile

Start by uploading a recent, professional profile photo where your face takes up about 60% of the frame. Dress as you would for work. Choose a background for your profile that grabs attention but not distracting. Add a headline that goes beyond just your job title—use it to describe your role, motivations, and what drives you. Be sure to list relevant skills, ask colleagues for endorsements to boost credibility, and activate the #OpenToWork feature if you’re job hunting.

Expand Your Network

With your profile ready, begin connecting with people you genuinely know, like family, friends, classmates, professors, and colleagues. These connections are more likely to support you because of your personal relationship. Use the 2nd-degree connections feature to grow your network, but avoid generic first messages like “Hi, I’m an engineering student.” Instead, start the conversation with a thoughtful question or comment. If you can’t think of one, reconsider reaching out.

Engage and Connect

Remember, LinkedIn networking isn’t just about collecting connections; it’s about building real relationships. Engage with your network by commenting on posts, sharing relevant content, and endorsing skills. Join groups related to your field to stay updated on industry trends and connect with like-minded professionals. And don’t forget, recruiters are active on LinkedIn, so keeping your profile up-to-date could open the door to new opportunities.