top of page

How LinkedIn Can Help Advance Your Career

Image of devices connected in network

As a college student, establishing a developed LinkedIn profile has been encouraged by teachers, recruiters, and fellow students. While LinkedIn may seem like a corporate form of social media, it can be essential in advancing your career for students and established professionals alike. LinkedIn’s platform is versatile, allowing users to use it in whatever way best serves their career goals. A few of the most common tools people utilize for this are establishing new connections, using the job search function, and building a personal brand.


Establishing New Connections

“Connections are key” is a phrase all college students know, especially those in business. Formerly, connections were in-person relationships built with those around you, such as family, teachers, coaches, bosses, and co-workers. Now, LinkedIn allows users to make connections with people worldwide. Growing relationships with a wider net of individuals can help open up new job opportunities that otherwise may have been out of reach. Additionally, as you develop your connections, you can easily connect with your connection’s connections, which can help increase the number of future opportunities available to you.


Using the Job Search Function

One of the ways I use LinkedIn the most is by using the job search feature. LinkedIn’s built-in job search functions similarly to other popular job search platforms like Indeed. However, it’s integration into the LinkedIn platform serves several benefits. Company pages are automatically linked to their job postings, making it easier to research a company and learn what they are about. Additionally, this feature allows you to see people who work for this company, who may even have gone to the same College as you, making it easy to establish connections within the company. Taking advantage of this can give you an opportunity for referral from the connections you establish and increase your knowledge about the company, which can increase your chances of successfully landing a job. Additionally, depending on the type of application, this feature allows hiring managers to view your LinkedIn profile as well, which can help establish a better feel for who you are as a candidate than the typical resume would. 


Building a Personal Brand

As with all social media, LinkedIn is an excellent opportunity to show more of your personality than a resume offers. Utilizing the biography section is an easy way to share your passions and more in-depth work experience with your following and potential companies who may look at your profile. Additionally, the ability to publish articles and other posts can provide examples of your writing style and show off personal interests you may choose to cover. Building a personal brand is essential as it helps employers learn more about you, or if you decide to run your own business, it gives an easy way for potential clients to learn more about you quickly. These social features are a great way to set yourself apart from others in your career path.


LinkedIn is invaluable for college students and professionals seeking a successful career. Users can create a solid online presence highlighting their professional achievements and unique qualities. Additionally, LinkedIn is invaluable for fostering new connections, finding job opportunities, and building a personal brand. LinkedIn allows users to tap into a global network, gain insights into potential employers and companies, and differentiate themselves in a competitive job market. Whether seeking job opportunities, expanding your professional network, or establishing a personal brand, LinkedIn provides essential resources to help shape and advance your career.

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page