LinkedIn: Students and fresh grads
Lost in Crowd
I usually end up seeing profiles on LinkedIn with a description as ‘Student’ and knowing them in-person; few are amazing at web design, few more are known for opting coding as a hobby, few are known for their convincing power and hence the CR of class, and there are some as go-to person when anyone needs to write an application etc but they dont depict their potential and put them as just a ‘student’. LinkedIn is an overwhelming space where multiple people are available in abundance for a similar task so why would anyone like to see your profile when you aren’t even showing your real worth?
It’s not about who you know rather who knows you. Don’t be lost in Crowd rather be a One.
Why would you buy a branded watch instead of an ordinary one, Think about it. . . It gives you an authentic and classy look, it tells about your choice and by owning it well, that starts defining you and speaks for you. LinkedIn is also a space for the similar extent. It enables you to create your brand; a brand that provides you a effective reach through meaningful connections, speaks for you based on your value you create with those who are looking for it.
My first interaction with LinkedIn is not old although I have graduated a decade ago. Since, I was settled in my job so I never thought of even considering it as a tool to develop connections. But I learned it hard way that I was wrong. In 2017, I met my mentor during techwomen fellowship in the host company, Lumosity, San Francisco. While sitting next to me in office, he asked me about my linkedIn profile to see, how many contacts we have in common. Back then, I had an inactive account so wasn't loaded with contacts much. I was quite embarrassed to tell about inactive account even being in professional life from past 06–07 years. By that time, I realised to revive my account and from that time, onwards I kept it alive and updated. I also got the chance to visit LinkedIn office and to deep dive in their skills based courses, they gave us 6-month free subscription of LinkedIn Learning. Display picture of my medium profile was a headshot taken by their official photographer.
There are few things which I have learned from different people so passing it on . . .
Profile Basics: Describe yourself on the basis of your strengths separated by the pipe sign. You can add multiple things but know your focus where you want to end up. Don’t put it as a stack of all the things you know rather write in the order of priorities. All tags must be endorsing each other.
Like, if you want to be considered as Web developers from different companies then, you must be using relevant tags in your profile description that gives a first impressions about you from Web development domain.
There must be a coherence in shared tags and relevant educational and experiential section of the profile. By seeing at the tags, one would dive in to take the evidence so relevant educational background, courses or experience will help to understand the extent of your competence.
As a student, you might say that, I don’t have enough competency for the things that I am looking forward so what should I do? For you, this is a place to find elements of your relevance with the field. Explore profiles with similar aspirations and unfold their journey. You’ll get enough notes to start learning from that very day instead of waiting for magic to happen. There are enough online resources or you may ask your teachers. Keep sharing online courses completion status or certificates which will pop up in the newsfeed of your connection. Nobody mind talking to a young enthusiast only if he’s an active learner. Your preemptive approach will always give you an edge.
Show your Work: Nothing can sell you better if you show your work. Showing your work includes adding link of GitHub or sharing links for deployed projects. Be honest about specifying your contribution and never bluff.
As a student, you might ask that, Can I share my freelance projects? Well, for freelance work, you were paid for your services and product belong to the company. In consensus with your employer, you can share by including them along and showing it as a freelance work. Don’t try to cheat.
As a student, you might ask that, Can I share my Term Projects? Yes, you can and you must. It is always better to do your projects vigilantly and build your profile through them by putting them up on GitHub. Instead of working on more projects, enhance the quality of your term project. Projects explains your learning outcomes better than anything else. It is a smart and tedious approach without any extra effort.
Reaching out to Connections: The most difficult aspect, either you add everyone without talking or you find it so hard to add connections by seeing on their Profile. It’s wrong in both ways. You must add people consciously and you must know, why are you adding someone or being added to someone network to avoid redundant or irrelevant traffic in your newsfeed.
1- Being aware about your preferences to be on linkedIn, you must search for relevant profiles in your domain.
2- You must be aware about top-notch names of your field as well to follow them to know on-going trends, debates and discussions.
3- When you add relevant people, observe the content they post.
4- You may Like or comment but play mindfully. Avoid inappropriate words or frank tone and be specific in the comment.
5- Incase you find anything interesting being posted from the known player of your field or may be from the company executive, where you want to work so it may be a chance to make a connection. You can start a conversation about the article like this;
Hi <Name>
I found your article/post about <mention topic> very interesting. I think <share your concrete observations>. I am a fresh grad/student and look up to professionals like yourself. Would love to keep connected to learn from you.
Looking forward
Best Regards;
<Your Name>
Your communication must be clear and authentic. Not everyone replies back but many does. So don’t loose hope and keep going. Even some reply so enthusiastically that you think, he became your fan but actually, that person is generally a nice talker so keep a balance.
Specifically for fresh grads, you get to see job post on LinkedIn so you must try at first to locate if an alumni of your campus, who’s working there. LinkedIn enable you to trace alumni. If you find a one, you can interact with him/her to get insights before applying for job or insights about the company.
Common pitfalls:
1- Don’t lean to the extent that you frustrate other person. Get the clues from senior and move on. Value their time and suggestion.
2- Even if you get to hear contradictory feedback from multiple seniors in that company, don’t be confuse and try it yourself. Every experience is precious but again, you are new individual altogether. Believe on your gut feelings and own your decision.
LinkedIn enables you to depict your personality to the potential employers and opportunities and you can only leverage from them if you exist on that platform. Make your presence real :)
