August 29, 2024, by Jackie Thompson

How I’ve used LinkedIn

By Claudia Medina Munoz, architecture and sustainable design student

In the last year, I have experienced the importance of having a LinkedIn profile.

I attended some careers events and I found it was a way to connect with employers or professionals related to the field I was interested in.

How to use LinkedIn

It’s a useful tool to connect with colleagues, classmates, or lecturers, who can provide endorsements for your skills and recommend you based on their experience of working with you.

You can also be part of bigger communities, such as the Alumni group, comprised of past students from the University of Nottingham. You can also follow companies and leaders in the industry to keep yourself up to date about their latest developments and opportunities in the field.

There is a job-search tool, and you can configure notification alerts when new employment offers are out. When applying for jobs, many employers have the option to apply directly through LinkedIn.

Keep your profile updated

It is a very useful tool, and just like other social media channels, it is important to keep your profile updated. This way you make sure that you are showcasing your career history and recent achievements.

You can add sections to have your information organised, so you can have a specific section for experience, education, licences and certifications, volunteering, languages, awards, courses, and more.

Engage and create content

It is possible to engage and create content. You can post updates or important achievements and share them with your connections.

Providing visual references when you add a post is suggested, such as pictures, videos, or multimedia, as it usually generates more engagement. It is recommended to maintain a professional language, both in written and visual content. And you can also react and comment on posts in your network.

Talk to the Careers team

I must say that it was a little difficult for me to start using LinkedIn early this year since I did not have any previous experience using it before. So, I booked an appointment with the Careers team from the university, and they guided me and gave me advice on how to get started.

I am happy to say that now I formed a solid network with people I used to study and work with, as well as amazing, inspiring people I recently met. Adding sections and my professional development to LinkedIn was very useful.  I have all the important and recent information in one place, so it makes things easy when I update my CV.

If you’re not sure how to use LinkedIn, visit our webpage and talk to an adviser.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Share on LinkedIn