I Don’t Need a LinkedIn Yet

Published on September 27, 2019, at 2:45 p.m.
by Kennedy Schwefler.

Some students think they still have a couple of years before they have to begin looking for jobs and internships, but what harm is there in starting early? LinkedIn is a database full of opportunity for budding professionals, AND it’s free.

Other social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are great tools to connect with professionals, but their individual missions don’t directly relate to professional development. Recruiters will perform a Google sweep for your online presence, but when it comes to industry-specific qualifications, they will look at LinkedIn.

The majority of LinkedIn’s 500 million users are ages 40 and above. Among these users are hiring managers and recruiters who are looking to find their next great candidate. Maintaining a LinkedIn presence is an opportunity to catch their attention.

According to Forbes, because millennials and Generation Z grew up online, their personal branding is different from Generation X and baby boomers. Younger generations have the chance to rebrand LinkedIn itself, intertwining their personalities with business initiatives. Personality is almost as important as productivity, so be sure to know what employers analyze when it comes to your profile.

Students, it’s time to start branding yourself by investing time in professional networking. Let employers know you’re serious about your future by interacting with their posts and consistently sharing what you’re working on. By leaving comments on posts and collecting reactions from other users, your profile insights will grow exponentially. Views from professionals and recruiters will get your name in conversations and help with your internship and job searches.

Still not convinced you need a LinkedIn profile? Think about it this way — how can employers expect you to build their organizations’ brands if you can’t even build your own?

If you don’t know where to start, research best practices and view other people’s profiles. Additionally, there are loads of online articles and tips for developing your profile. The generated prompts that linger on your profile page are also helpful guides to improve your reach.

Although some students think they have a grace period for professional development and networking, the early bird will always get the worm. In this case, the worm might be your dream job.