Learning LinkedIn

As college students, I am confident that many of you have had some experience using social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Whether you have experimented with these mediums personally or in the workplace, one cannot deny the power of social media in today’s society.  For professionals, including young interns, one popular social tool that keeps employees across various industries connected is LinkedIn. Similar to Facebook, LinkedIn provides users a platform to create a profile, document their professional experiences, make connections with coworkers and friends, follow industries and/or companies of interest, endorse the skills of those they are connected with, and post job listings, news or alerts that would be relevant to their connections.

If you have not already, I recommend creating an account here.  Below are some tips to keep in mind when developing your page!

1. Upload a professional photo—As always, first impressions are extremely important.  Keep this in mind when selecting a default photo for your LinkedIn page. Obviously, your future employers and coworkers do not want to see a picture of you at a party last weekend.  Instead, select a professional image of yourself for your main photo—preferably a head shot or picture of you dressed in business attire against a solid backdrop. 

2. Include a biography—When creating a LinkedIn profile, do not be afraid to utilize the “Bio” section of your page.   Instead of leaving this component of your profile blank, like many professionals tend to do, provide a brief description of your professional experiences, skills, and goals.  This allows your viewers to gain a better understanding of whom you are and what you have to offer.

3. Connect with people you know (Most of the time)—LinkedIn allows you to connect with many employees across a wide variety of industries.  In addition, the site suggests that you endorse the skills of those you connect with, assuming you can review and assess the work of these individuals.  Therefore, it is smart to form connections with people you have collaborated with in the past, such as classmates, coworkers, professors and supervisors.  If there is someone you would like to connect with that you do not know personally, it is appropriate to send a direct message to that individual or have a connection that you have in common introduce you to one another in person or online.

4. Follow your company/competitors/relevant industry accounts— Similar to your Facebook newsfeed, you will be updated with any relevant information posted by these individuals or companies!

5. Consult with supervisor on how to update your responsibilities—Every LinkedIn profile provides space to list your professional experiences in detail—an in-depth and more detailed resume, if you will.  If you are unsure how to word or describe your responsibilities at your internship for your LinkedIn account, set aside time with your supervisor or manager to work on producing a list together.