The Power of LinkedIn and How You Should Use It!
Anne Stamer, Senior College Counselor
In today's digital landscape, social media is more than just a platform for sharing memes and selfies—it's a gateway to future career success. LinkedIn, the world's largest professional networking site, is an invaluable tool for students aiming to build connections, explore career paths, and stand out to potential employers.
Understanding LinkedIn
LinkedIn functions as a professional social network where users can create profiles, connect with industry professionals, apply for jobs, and enhance their skills.
75% of recruiters are combing through LinkedIn profiles, so if yours isn’t polished, you are practically invisible.
73.3% of recruiters ‘always’ or ‘often’ evaluate a candidate’s LinkedIn profile. This means that for nearly three out of four recruiters, your LinkedIn profile is a critical part of your application.
67.27% reported a greater emphasis on LinkedIn and social media recruiting
While many students wait until after college to join LinkedIn, starting early provides a competitive edge.
The Benefits of Using LinkedIn as a Student
1. Establish a Professional Identity
A LinkedIn profile serves as an online resume, allowing students to showcase their skills, achievements, and experiences. Even without formal job experience, students can highlight school projects, leadership roles, and volunteer work to build a strong presence.
2. Build a Personal Brand
Personal branding is essential for standing out in today’s competitive job market. LinkedIn allows students to create a professional image by curating their profiles, engaging with relevant content, and consistently sharing insights about their interests and aspirations. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile can help establish credibility and attract opportunities.
3. Expand Your Professional Network
Networking plays a crucial role in career growth. LinkedIn allows students to connect with teachers, alumni, and industry professionals. These connections can lead to internship opportunities, mentorship, and valuable career advice.
4. Gain Insights into Career Paths
For students uncertain about their future careers, LinkedIn provides a platform to explore different industries, follow companies, and learn about various job roles. This exposure helps in making informed career decisions.
5. Access Job and Internship Listings
Many companies post job and internship opportunities exclusively on LinkedIn. Having an active and well-crafted profile increases visibility among recruiters.
6. Enhance Skills with LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn offers an extensive collection of courses across multiple fields, including business, marketing, coding, and design. Completing these courses and earning certifications can make a student’s profile more attractive to potential employers. Continuous learning through LinkedIn Learning can also help students develop new skills and stay ahead in their chosen fields.
How to Maximize LinkedIn
To maximize LinkedIn's potential, students should keep their profiles (updated at a minimum yearly but ultimately when good professional news occurs), engage actively, and maintain a professional presence. Leveraging LinkedIn early on not only enhances career prospects but also lays the foundation for long-term professional growth. By taking advantage of this powerful platform, students can unlock endless opportunities for success in their future careers.
How a Career Coach Can Help with LinkedIn and Your Career Planning
Navigating LinkedIn and planning a career path can be overwhelming, but a career coach can provide invaluable guidance. A career coach can help students optimize their LinkedIn profiles, craft compelling resumes, prepare for interviews, and develop networking strategies. They can also offer personalized advice on career choices, skill development, and job search strategies. Investing in career coaching early on can give students the confidence and direction needed to succeed in their professional journeys.
College Flight Path is excited to let you know that we have launched our career coaching services to support you.
Our Career Coaching Can Help With:
Resume and cover letter optimization for Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Job search strategies
LinkedIn Optimization
URL customization
Strong Interest Inventory and career debrief
Interview preparation and confidence-building
Presentation preparation
Career goal setting and professional development
Salary negotiation and career advancement strategies
Need help upleveling your LinkedIn, fill out our contact form to get started to have access to a 15 minute discovery call.
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References
Myers, S. (2025, March 19). The state of the job search in 2025. Jobscan. https://www.jobscan.co/state-of-the-job-search
