LinkedIn is a social network for work professionals that connect millions of people worldwide. Members connect to find jobs and to stay updated on work-related content. LinkedIn lowered the age requirement to 18 years old last September, giving high school and college students the chance to connect with potential employers and fellow students. LinkedIn isn’t just for marketers and social media agencies, it’s also for students. So far 200 schools launched pages and profiles.
LinkedIn is a social network for work professionals that connect millions of people worldwide. Members connect to find jobs and to stay updated on work-related content. LinkedIn lowered the age requirement to 18 years old last September, giving high school and college students the chance to connect with potential employers and fellow students. LinkedIn isn’t just for marketers and social media agencies, it’s also for students. So far 200 schools launched pages and profiles.
Christina Allen, LinkedIn’s director of product management, says “one of the cornerstones of our strategy is to help students at every critical milestone from campus to fulfilling, successful careers.”
So why is it important for students to use LinkedIn? Here five reasons why students should sign up on this professional social network.
1. Introduce yourself to the professional world
Starting out as a freshman in college, you do not have a lot of connections to employers or students. Signing up on LinkedIn will multiply your chances of being noticed by employers. If you make a profile, you are able to expose some of your strengths, interests, skills, and hobbies. This will be the first step to let the professional world you’re ready for a job and let other students know a little more about you. Focus on your strengths, interests, and what field you’re interested in.
2. Create visibility
After introducing yourself in your profile, start to network with people and companies that you are interested in. Follow companies that you hope to work for. Try to connect with the CEO and managers of the company. By adding companies to your profile, your name is more likely to pop up when recruiters do a search.
3. Expand your network
Focus on your connections and the people you connect to. Certain people will be instrumental at getting you a job or an internship. Take advantage of these opportunities. Begin by networking with people in your college, such as members of alumni groups. Alumni members might work for company that you are interested in.
Do not reach out to people just for the sake of it. Make sure you are focusing on connecting with the right people. Send out invitations using a business mindset, meaning don’t use the same approach of adding people like you do on Facebook). Think about how this person could make an impact on your career.
4. Access to industry leaders
LinkedIn offers you an opportunity to learn about business from leaders. You can learn from experts, CEOs, and other business leaders by following them and reading their content.
Join groups related to your business field and enter discussions to learn more about your career industry.
5. Separate yourself by staying ahead of the curve
Gaining inside knowledge in your industry will give you a head start on many people you’re competing with. Focus on the important people in your network and try to learn as much as possible from them. Make sure you keep your profile up to date. Your profile is the first thing people and future employers will look at so make sure you provide information as to why you’re the best for the job!
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