LinkedIn Tips Part 2: Building Your Network
Last month on the blog, I shared some tips on setting up a strong LinkedIn profile, which you can read here. As with any other social media, you won’t get much out of LinkedIn if you simply create a presence on the platform, sit back, and hope something happens.
While LinkedIn does have great job search tools, it’s important to remember the role of networking in gaining professional opportunities. LinkedIn is a great arena for college students to break in their networking skills and learn to communicate as a professional. Who knows what can happen if you put yourself out there?
Now that you’ve set up a LinkedIn profile that fully reflects your strengths, experience, and potential, push yourself a little farther ahead by using the platform to build your network. Here are some suggestions:
Always include a personalized message when connecting with someone new
This is especially important if the person does not know you. LinkedIn provides the ability to connect with someone who has your dream job or works in an industry you’re considering. But if you can’t make the effort to explain to this person why you – a complete stranger – are contacting them, why should they accept your request to connect?
If you’ve never met the person you want to connect with, introduce yourself and explain why you’d like to connect – but don’t make it just about you and what you want out of the connection. For an example, see #6 on this great list of LinkedIn message templates for any situation.
If you have met the person, it’s nice to still explain why you want to connect, and include something in your message that will jog their memory of you, such as where you met or what you had discussed. You should begin practicing this etiquette even with classmates or peers from your student organizations.
Note: To send a customized message when initiating a connection, you must click the “Connect” button on the person’s LinkedIn profile, then click “Add a Note.” Read more about personalizing invitations to connect, including on the iOS and Android apps, here.
Join groups to find new connections
LinkedIn groups can be a great networking tool, as they provide a place to learn and share common interests. To find a group related to an industry or topic of interest, type keywords into the main search box. Sort the results by clicking on “Groups.” You may have to request to join and wait for an administrator to approve your request. Once you’re in the group, start engaging! You may end up connecting with people whom you can eventually add to your LinkedIn network. Check out the LinkedIn Help page on groups for more information.
Look up and connect with alumni
See where alumni have taken their career since graduating. A good place to start is the GVSU alumni page on LinkedIn. If you find any alumni with a career path that especially interests you, you might want to connect with them (with a personal note, of course). Number nine on this list of message templates is perfect for this scenario.
Another way to connect with alumni is to join relevant groups on LinkedIn, such as alumni groups for your major or extracurricular groups, the Grand Valley State Alumni Group, or the GVSU Career Contact Bank. (Psst…our own Firm Editor, Nicole Clark, found an internship through these group connections! Ask her about it sometime.)
Look up speakers at conferences and events
Use LinkedIn to research the professionals who share their expertise at events and conferences you attend. If you’d like to connect with them on LinkedIn, wait until after you’ve heard them present – and be sure to make the effort of sending a personalized invitation! This allows you to thank them and mention specific information you learned from their presentation. Perhaps you also had the opportunity to meet them, and you can use the LinkedIn message as a follow-up contact.
For more on using LinkedIn for networking, check out this video from the Intern Queen, Lauren Berger.
This should be more than enough information for you to start building your LinkedIn network – and once you have that network built, be sure to engage with those who are in it. Comment on others’ posts and participate in group discussions. Get yourself out there for others to discover. Good luck!
About Ashley
Ashley Bovin is a senior majoring in Advertising and Public Relations, with a previous degree in Creative Writing. She is the VP of Alumni Relations for PRSSA at Grand Valley and an Account Associate for GrandPR. She is eager to use her writing and proofreading skills to help brands share their message with credibility and authority. Ashley enjoys writing, drinking coffee, and hanging out with her cat, Stella – especially when these are all happening at the same time.