Locking In to LinkedIn

Written by Natalie Spicer

Over the past few decades, the days of handing out creased copies of your resume in pursuit of a job have transformed into an increasingly digital obstacle course of networking and self-promotion. One key component of that obstacle course: LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is an excellent, albeit occasionally mind-numbing, platform. It can feel overwhelming at first to translate your professional experience into a virtual space, but you do not need 500-plus connections to get value from LinkedIn. Fear not. I have compiled the following crash course to help even the most LinkedIn-avoidant individuals navigate the platform with ease.

SETTING UP

Whether you are tired of staring at the blank account you created for a freshman-year business class or already have a vibrant presence, the first step to making the most of LinkedIn is ensuring your profile is up to date. Many sections mirror a resume, but LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to go deeper into your experiences and achievements. Include a polished headshot or recruit a friend to take your photo outside of Jesse Hall or the J-School arch. Add basic details about your education, including majors or minors, GPA or an overview of activities. List any clubs, organizations or societies you belong to. I recommend writing a short, two-sentence or bullet description for each experience that explains your role, the skills you gained and any notable events or metrics tied to that organization.

Draft a brief paragraph for the "About" section that outlines your goals and skills. Aim for a professional tone while letting your voice shine through so as not to blend in as just another applicant who may or may not have used ChatGPT to write their bio. This section is often the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so make it a strong first impression.

If you have relevant experience, fill out the sections for volunteering, languages and honors and awards. More content helps employers and peers see that you are active and well-rounded as both a professional and a person. Do not stretch the truth to fill space, but include even small experiences. Everything counts.

POSTING

After you set up your profile, you can share public updates about your work and accomplishments through posts. The primary goal of posting is to keep your network updated in real time. Use posts to celebrate major achievements, new roles, project progress or insights you feel are worth sharing.

Some people recommend posting as often as possible, while others prefer quarterly updates. Your posting strategy should reflect what you want to achieve on LinkedIn. If your goal is visibility, post as often as you can while maintaining quality. You do not have to wait for an assignment from school or work to create content. Start a passion project, teach yourself a new platform or refine past work. You control how often and how creatively you share, so use that freedom to your advantage.

That said, it is perfectly fine to post infrequently or stick to broader updates. Posting is not a requirement for using LinkedIn, but it can be a valuable tool. As with your "About" section, keep posts professional and relevant while allowing your personality to come through. Your word choice and accompanying media, whether photos or project links, can help you connect with your network in a more authentic and personal way.

Posting is not the only way to stay active. Engaging with others’ posts can be just as impactful. Reacting and commenting are low-effort, high-reward ways to maintain visibility. Trade a few minutes of TikTok doomscrolling for engaging with a handful of LinkedIn posts or, if you are feeling bold, commenting congratulations on a friend’s new role. You do not need to say much. A simple, thoughtful comment about what stood out in a semester update or recent project can leave a lasting impression.

CONNECTING

Seeing 500-plus connections on a LinkedIn profile can bring a unique sense of pride. How do people reach that number, and how do you start connecting? Between pending requests, optional notes, messages and the endless home feed, connections can feel like one of LinkedIn’s most intimidating features.

Start by sending connection requests to friends, peers and mentors. Think about people you know through organizations you belong to. I have scrolled through many Slack channels and Instagram follower lists to find potential connections. Anything from working on a group project to serving on an executive board qualifies as a strong reason to connect.

You do not need to limit yourself to people you already know. With time and research, you can build genuine relationships with professionals who inspire you or whose career paths you hope to follow. Keep it simple. If you find someone with experience you want, ties to a company you admire or work you respect, send a thoughtful request to connect. Putting yourself out there rarely hurts.

Adding a note to a connection request is optional but often beneficial. I typically skip notes for friends and peers, but I include a brief message when reaching out to professionals. A short explanation of why you are connecting and a genuine expression of interest can open the door to meaningful conversations and even new friendships. As with all LinkedIn interactions, communicate professionally while letting your passions and personality come through.

FINAL TIPS

Do not let LinkedIn warriors make you feel inadequate or incapable of success. LinkedIn is simply one modern resource for researching, networking and promoting yourself in the professional world. There are countless paths to success in any career field, but it helps to understand the opportunities platforms like LinkedIn provide. Best of luck, and I hope to connect with you all very soon!