LinkedIn is a massive site used by professionals and students alike to form connections, manage their network, search for jobs, gain resume worthy additions, and more. The professional site boasts over 1 billion (yes billion with a B) people. But LinkedIn can be intimidating when getting started, especially if you don't hold much (or any) professional experience.
Because of this, you're probably thinking why a high school student should bother with LinkedIn at all. But there's several reasons why you should start early on this site! Let's go over them.
What's the point of LinkedIn?
LinkedIn serves as a professional hub for you to make connections to others, and for others to do the same with you. This is essential in building and maintaining a network early, especially in industries where you might be interested in pursuing a career. Having a LinkedIn profile allows for potential companies to view your accomplishments, and can help boost your resume with workshops, skills, endorsements, and certificate opportunities.
How do I use LinkedIn successfully?
The most important things to include in your LinkedIn are:
Your name and a professional profile picture. A great example is a headshot.
A bio featuring a bit about yourself, current fields you work in or are interested in, and what makes you stand out from the rest of the professional crowd.
Accomplishments, skills, and any job experience.
Be sure to be engaging with companies and people you follow or hope to gain reccomendation or job offers from. This could look like commenting on their posts or reposting what they've said. Reaching out to individuals who work in jobs or companies you're interested in and asking for advice or how they got started is also an excellent option.
How does this help me while in high school?
LinkedIn is a professional site, but it can be used by anyone, not just those already in the job market. It can be used to expand your network, gain knowledge about different businesses and industries, and can help strengthen a resume. Having a LinkedIn in high school is impressive, and allows you to get an early start on your career. Don't worry about having little to no job experience. Start by getting familiar with the site and building connections.
We hoped this help encourage you to start your LinkedIn journey! If you're looking to get started on building your college resume, send us a message by clicking the button below and set up a meeting! We have counselors with over 20 years of experience who want to help you get into your dream college.
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