Many of us have a LinkedIn profile but are you using it to its full capacity in your job search? Here are a few simple tips to get you started:

Your profile

• Your LinkedIn profile is like your CV that never sleeps so keep it up to date so employers and recruiters can easily find you! You can claim your very own LinkedIn URL so you can add this easily to your CV, your Twitter profile or other networks. There is an edit button next to the URL on your public profile page and LinkedIn has provided further instructions if you get stuck!
• Remember to use keywords in your title, your summary and your job titles, as these are the fields that most impact the search algorithms of LinkedIn.

Job searching

• Ensure you check the jobs board found in the ‘jobs’ tab at the top of your LinkedIn homepage as many companies use LinkedIn to post their roles. There is also a student jobs section available which has graduate jobs and internships.
• Look on your homepage for your contacts posting updates that they are hiring.

Connections

• Get a referral – recruiters don’t always have time to look at every application so referrals can be very powerful. If the organisation you’re interested in has a ‘company page’ on LinkedIn (find this via the search field) you can view the ‘People who work at’ that company and find your second and third degree connections to see who might be able to introduce you to someone that works there!
• Find alumni – on LSE’s LinkedIn profile or the profile of your previous institution you can click on the ‘alumni’ button to access the alumni community and filter profiles by numerous criteria. This can be an extremely useful tool to connect with alumni working in the sector, organisation or location you are interested in. Perhaps try reaching out to them to see if they would be able to share insights into how they got their job. Sometimes these conversations can lead to you finding out about roles you otherwise wouldn’t have had access to.

Research and record

• Use the groups (located under ‘Work’) to find out what is happening in a particular industry to make more informed applications and help you when going for an interview. For each group, in the group settings, you can choose to allow others to see the group’s logo on your profile or not. Group members often post job opportunities too and once you are in a group with someone you will find it easier to connect with them. Remember to contribute to the group first before reaching out.
• Research your interviewer – when going for an interview if you know the name of your interviewer ensure you look them up so you can build a better rapport with them on the day.

Activity

• The more active you are on LinkedIn, the higher you appear in the results of a search. You have many options to be active: update your profile at least once a month, add media and links, add connections, join groups and be active in groups, add updates and posts, comment and share others’ updates and posts, endorse skills and be endorsed, recommend others and get recommendations from others.