Using LinkedIn to find a job (Part 1 – Setting up a profile)

Setting up a LinkedIn profile is an easy way for graduates to create an online professional identity. As has been mentioned in some of our other articles, this is often one of the first things a potential employer will see of you. Many employers and recruitment agents use LinkedIn as a method of unearthing talent, and so it makes sense to keep an updated profile. The following is a rough guide to creating a decent profile:

• Fill in all the fields for the information box at the top. This is the first thing anyone will see of your profile so it is important that it is complete. Add a summary (a little bit about yourself, your key skills and perhaps a career goal).

• Upload a photo – try to use a professional looking one!

• Under Experience, list any experience you may have gained in vac work, internships, tutoring etc. There is no harm in listing all of your part time work, and you can always remove this information in a few years when your stint as a bar-tender is completely irrelevant.

• The next section surrounds Education – as a graduate, these are areas that you can really elaborate on. Firstly, input your entire educational history, and then also add teams, clubs, societies etc. Add any awards or noteworthy achievements as well. This all shows that not only did you turn up for studies, but that you engaged, got involved and excelled – all important aspects a prospective employer will look for.

• Under Skills & Expertise it is important to give the appearance of a set of skills (perhaps pick 8 to 10) without lying. Line up the skills that a relevant to the types of job you will be pursuing.

• Recommendations are trickier since you firstly need someone else to recommend you! At graduate level, obtaining a recommendation from one of your lecturers or tutors again shows that you were involved above and beyond during your studies.

• Joining a few industry-specific groups will again show that you are engaged and interested in your chosen field, so search for relevant groups, join them and take part in the discussions that follow.

Creating a LinkedIn profile takes very little time and gives another opportunity to engage with potential employers, so there is no reason not to have one!