LinkedIn explained
LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network. It has more than 930 million members from over 200 countries and territories worldwide.
As an aspiring professional, it’s important to get your LinkedIn profile started. We can help – come to one of our careers services workshops; book your place via CareerHub.
Use LinkedIn to:
- create a ‘portfolio’ to showcase your achievements, education, skills, endorsements, work experiences, recommendations and courses
- build connections and stay in touch
- find internships, placement years and graduate jobs
- follow companies and organisations – enhance your commercial awareness
- communicate with Essex Alumni
- access free courses using LinkedIn Learning
- reach out to recruiters – ask questions and get information direct.
LinkedIn is a powerful, free tool – perfect for providing proof of what you’ve done, and access to a goldmine of career research information. Discover what other students did with their degree after graduating from Essex, and the top skills that employers are looking for.
Create a visible and eye-catching account
Upload a picture – showing a picture of yourself on your profile draws more engagement and views. It does not have to be professionally taken but it must be work appropriate and of high quality. There should be no mystery when it comes to LinkedIn. Networking is important within the world of work and when people see a face, they find it easier to connect.
Complete your profile – an incomplete profile with little information can really hinder you as a job seeker. You want to prove that you are social media savvy and have up to date online skills, so utilising each section of your profile shows off those skills perfectly. Adding keyword-rich content is what helps your profile get to the top of any search engine results, so start building up your skills section, remember more relevant keywords means there is more chance of you being found.
Interact and connect – follow professionals, businesses, organisations and groups that you admire, to expand your professional network. Like and comment on other people's posts. When you feel more confident, share your own posts, photos, and short articles to offer information about your expertise, knowledge, and achievements.
Check your settings – adjust the settings and the account privacy information to make sure you're getting the right number of communications and notifications to suit you. Lockdown your account visibility to protect your information while you are building your account, if you’d like to, limiting access to a level you’re comfortable with.
Top tips
- Customise your LinkedIn URL.
- Add your URL to your CV in the top section, with your contact details.
- Regularly update your LinkedIn profile (and CV) with new skills, experiences, and educational qualifications.
- Record the pronunciation of your name via the LinkedIn app – teach people how to say your name correctly.
- Craft a powerful ‘about’ section – 50 words maximum is ideal. This is a short summary about you, who you are, and what you’re offering.
- Add a photo to the ‘background’, behind your profile photo – use an image that offers further information about you and your talents.
- Add a video to your profile photo – briefly describe yourself and your strengths, it will help you stand out from the crowd!
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that helps you discover and develop business, technology-related and creative skills through expert-led course videos.
As a University of Essex current student, you have free access to over 13,000 courses.
Highlight the successful completion of courses, learning paths and certifications on your LinkedIn profile to impress connections and employers. Work through the content at your own pace and build vital knowledge and skills for the future. We recommend exploring the library to identify useful content which might fill gaps in your skillset.
Top courses
- Interpersonal Communication
- Project Management Foundations
- Essentials of Team Collaboration
- Learning Python
- Communicating with Confidence
- SQL Essential Training
- Excel Essential Training
- Creating your Personal Brand
- Learning Data Analytics
- Professional Networking
Many courses include exercise files to download and practice on, regular chapter quizzes to check learning, and a completion certificate. Set aside one hour a week to build up and expand your skillset for free using LinkedIn Learning.
Further support
For more information, advice and support with LinkedIn, email careersinfo@essex.ac.uk or visit careerhub.essex.ac.uk to book an event or 1-1 appointment.
