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10 Top Graduate Tips to Ace LinkedIn

I live and breathe LinkedIn every day. Even weekends – sad, I know, I need to get out more! Recently it’s been refreshing to see a flurry of students and graduates joining the network; many of which looking to start on their career journey.

It then crossed my mind that actually LinkedIn can be quite daunting, with many a hoop to jump through, so I thought I’d share some top tops on how to get the best out of LinkedIn with little effort.

1. Keep it Corporate

It might seem obvious, but LinkedIn is NOT Facebook. It isn’t the place to share your holiday snaps, a drunk update or what you’ve made for your dinner no matter how tasty it is. This kinda thing really lowers your credibility and you risk being hidden, unconnected or reported – and LinkedIn can be ruthless!

On the flip side, do share blogs, news and advice that you’ve found interesting. Sharing relevant content helps to build your reputation and shows your maturity – do it, don’t be a LinkedIn hermit!

Hint: Liking someone else’s update puts it on your own newsfeed, so you don’t have to post it yourself too.

2. Smile, You’re on Camera

Your photo is a really important part of your profile and can be the make or break of recruiters / professionals connecting with you. Some simple do’s and don’t’s:

Don’t…

- Include shots of you drinking alcohol or smoking - Hide behind a crowd, a cartoon or a mask (it does happen!) - Be the distant dot in the far reaches of the photo that could literally be anyone

Do..

- Keep all your clothes on! Half naked holiday photos, cleavage / backside shots and fancy dress are BIG no-no’s, no matter how fabulous you look. - Smile – a simple one, but a smile is so much more welcoming and makes you look, well.. happy, which is always nice. No one likes a grump. - Keep it up to date; you want to be recognisable to people you know and those who you don’t yet know.

3. It’s All About the Headline

Your headline (the line underneath your name) is a great way of showing who / what you are without anyone even having to open your profile and is one of the few things displayed in search results.

Imagine 2 students with the same degree, same background, one of their headlines just says “Student” and the other says “Recent BSc Graduate in Computer Sciences with a passion in programming and growing my skills” – if I was looking for an eager IT Graduate, which would I most likely click on? ’nuff said.

4. What Makes You Tick?

Moving down to your summary, this is another fantastic opportunity to share your professional interests, strengths, achievements, aspirations and generally stuff about your character.

If you tell me what you’re interested in, it’s much easier to contact you about things that you’d actually want to hear about. It can be quite challenging to know what to write (even I over-analyse my own; I must have changed it hundreds of times!) but just be yourself and, if you’re really struggling, just use bullet points.

Leaving it blank is a real missed opportunity, trust me.

5. What Are You Proud Of?

LinkedIn allows you to showcase your projects, languages, awards and more in a simple and structured way and, again, is a great way of showing what you’ve been involved in and achieved. Try to include a little about your role in any team projects, especially if you’d led or achieved something you’re proud of.

6. Experience Counts

I’m sure the Experience section can seem quite daunting, especially if you haven’t taken part in any placements / internships, but don’t be afraid; recruiters aren’t daft, we’re not expecting the unrealistic. Include any part time or voluntary work you’ve taken part of – it shows you’ve put the effort into paying your way and broadening your skills. With so many graduates looking for jobs, if you’re not utilising your skills outside of uni, it is definitely something you should start thinking about.

Again, use the two grads I mentioned earlier with the same degree / background and one has had a 3 month placement in a relevant industry… who am I going to contact first; the one with or without hands-on experience?

7. Got Anything to Showcase?

Number 7 probably isn’t for everyone (or is it…). If you have a skill that will be used in your career, for example you’re a designer, include examples of your work. Whether it’s a blog, portfolio site, even a flickr page – show me what you’re capable of and include the links in your profile.

8. Embrace Networking

Build your network. This term is fast becoming a buzz word – “network”, “network”, “NETWORK!!!” But what does it mean?

Well quite simply, your network is anyone you know, regardless of how well you know them or how you met. Your professional network is quite different – you could be connected to people you’ve never met and may never speak to! But what if that next connection helps you with that tough project you’re working on? What if they know the recruiter at that company you love and can introduce you to a great job there? What if YOU could help that person with something they’re struggling with??

My simple advice is to accept connections, send connections of your own and join groups that you find interesting. Following on, don’t forget to speak to your network. If you like an article someone has shared, “like” it. Received a message? Don’t be rude – reply to it! Someone asked for help in a group that you could answer off the top of your head? Do it! It all goes to build up your reputation. Remember, don’t be a LinkedIn hermit.

9. Don’t Forget Your Contact Details

LinkedIn can become quite expensive – It can cost recruiters over a fiver a message. To make it easier to contact you, pop your email address in your profile, either in your contact information or even your summary. But don’t forget to check your emails!

10. Don’t Forget About Me!

Lastly, don’t forget about LinkedIn. The social network isn’t going anywhere any time soon so you will need it again in the future, FACT.

Don’t neglect it just cos you don’t need it right now. Keep it up to date, check your messages each week and keep your options open; you never know when something remarkable will come along.

Good luck with your career search; I hope you found my tips useful!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rachel Cook .