Boost your LinkedIn presence

LinkedIn is the world's largest professional networking platform, connecting individuals and companies worldwide.

You can use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. It's a platform for anyone looking to advance their career.

If you are new to LinkedIn

Here are three easy steps to get started:

• Create your profile Signing up to create your profile is the best way to begin using LinkedIn. A complete LinkedIn profile will summarise your professional experience to your connections, current and future employers and recruiters.

• Build your network Your network plays a crucial part in unlocking the power of LinkedIn. Add your family, friends, past or current classmates, teachers and mentors, community contacts and coworkers to your network. You can also follow people, companies or topics by navigating directly to the follow fresh perspectives page, which displays recommended sources to follow.

• Participate in conversations Participate in conversations can allow you to share your perspective on relevant issues and topics with others. You can like and comment on posts and articles on LinkedIn or use LinkedIn reactions, to react without adding commentary.

Pro tip: Use these comprehensive LinkedIn resources to create an impactful profile.

If you have an existing LinkedIn profile, take it to the next level.

• Polish your profile Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card. Make sure it is polished and professional.

• Update profile picture Use a high-quality professional looking photo. A simple well-lit headshot with a neutral background would do best, it doesn’t have to be professionally done. If you’re interested in a business related internship, wear business attire in your photo. For a creative role, you might opt for a more relaxed, yet still professional look.

• Add a headline Your headline is an opportunity to make a strong first impression. Consider something that highlights your career aspirations and interests, for example “Aspiring marketing professional | passionate about digital strategies & creative storytelling”.

• Refresh your summary This is the space for your elevator pitch. It should be concise, compelling and represent your personal brand. Highlight your strengths, career goal and what you are passionate about. No more than 3-5 sentences.
  Here is an example: “I’m a marketing student with a deep interest in digital marketing and brand strategy. My experience managing social media accounts for my university’s student organisations has honed my ability to craft engaging content and analyze metrics to drive strategy. I’m excited to apply these skills in an internship setting where I can contribute to and learn from industry professionals.”

• Highlight relevant experience List your experiences including internships, part-time jobs and volunteer work. For each entry use bullet points to describe responsibilities and accomplishments. Focus on how you added value rather than describing tasks. For example, instead of saying “Assisted in marketing tasks,” write “Developed a social media content calendar, increasing engagement by 25% in three months through targeted posts and strategic use of hashtags.”

• Add skills & endorsements Add skills relevant to your career goals. From proficiency in certain software to soft skills like leadership and teamwork. Ask your peers, teachers and colleagues for endorsement to build credibility.

• Update education section This section is particularly important early in your career as you are building professional experience. Highlight relevant coursework and any honours or awards.

• Add recommendations Reach out to professors, mentors or colleagues to write recommendations for you.

Pro tip: Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is consistent with your CV/resume and cover letter to avoid any confusion. This is the key to building a recognisable and trustworthy personal brand.

Grow your network

Leverage your existing network on LinkedIn to connect you with more people in your desired field or industry. Ask for informational interviews to learn more about their career and gather industry insights. Don’t hesitate to request introductions to their connections who might be able to help you in the internship search.

Share relevant content

Whether it is articles you’ve read, projects you’ve worked on, or insights you gained, share content regularly, keeping a professional and informative tone with a personal touch.

In today’s competitive job market, having a strong LinkedIn presence is essential for a successful internship search. It’s not just a platform to showcase your skills, it’s a powerful tool for networking, learning and staying connected to your desired industry.

If your LinkedIn profile is shining, the last thing to consider before jumping into your internship search is perfecting your personal elevator pitch. Check out everything you need to know and hear from an employer on their top tips.