LinkedIn holds a reputation as one of the best social media platforms for career development. One does not need to wait till they enter the labor market before leveraging on it. College students may begin building their online presence in the professional space even while still in school. Keep reading to find out how to make the most of a LinkedIn account as a college student.

Steps to Create a Good LinkedIn Profile

Signing up on LinkedIn is easy; all you need to do is enter your full name, email address and choose a password. You may opt to use the free version or subscribe to the premium version. For college students, the Premium Career package is the best choice. 

With this package, a user may message recruiters while also accessing information such as the salary details of posted jobs. You can also find out who viewed your profile using this package.

Use a Professional Photograph

Ensure you make a lasting impression by using a professional image. You should use a headshot image. Your dress should be neat and professional, while your face should take up at least half of the picture.

Sell Yourself With a Professional Summary

You can use your summary to catch the attention of whoever sees your profile. Shorter but concise summaries always leave a better impression of client hunters. When writing your summary, do not oversell yourself; stick to the basics and prove your writing ability.

When writing, make sure you do so in the first person for your target audiences, such as recruiters, managers, and future clients. 

Highlight Your Credentials

Just like normal resumes, you can use your LinkedIn profile to showcase your qualifications. Navigate to the experience section and list all jobs that show your career journey. Make sure you write a description for each position using relevant keywords for your profession. Also, state your academic history as recruiters usually set educational filters when using LinkedIn.

State Your Skills

Use the skills section to list up to 50 skills that can sell you to potential employers. If you get this right, you will increase the chances of talent hunters finding you.

Leveraging on LinkedIn to Your Advantage 

Unlike many other social media sites, LinkedIn is a community built on etiquette and proper internet behavior. 

You can make connections by requesting such from other users by clicking on the connect button. You can also ask for recommendations from colleagues and other professionals whom you have worked with before.  

To boost the effectiveness of your account, make sure you post compelling media and statuses. Also, make sure you join professional groups and engage with your connections. 

Furthermore, explore companies and talk to potential recruiters. Finally, make sure you apply to as many of the millions of job postings on LinkedIn.

Concluding Thoughts

Knowing how to leverage on LinkedIn as a college student puts you at an advantage over other students. You don’t have to wait till you finish college before you start enjoying the benefits of the platform.