JS Group has partnered with Bright Network to share the best advice to help you launch your early career.

Bright Network supports students and graduates with the insights, advice and opportunities they need to succeed. It runs events with industry-leading employers and brings its members tailored job recommendations and expert support, all for free.

Bright Network has been bridging the gap between graduates and employers for over 10 years. That means we know exactly what companies look for, and how you can improve your chances of getting hired.

LinkedIn helps you stay in touch with your contacts and maintain a professional presence. Just having a profile isn't enough though. To get the most out of the platform, you need to know how to use it. That's why we've created this handy LinkedIn guide for students and graduates.

Profile essentials

Let's start with the basics. After your name, the first things people will see on your profile are your photo and headline.

Remember: your LinkedIn profile will usually rank in the top five Google search results for your name. So, you want to make a good impression. And perfecting your photo and headline is a great way to do just that.

Pick an appropriate profile photo

You don't need a professional headshot. But you'll still want a profile pic that's different from the ones on your other socials.

Make sure you look smart and work-appropriate. Pick a photo where your face is easily identifiable and there are no distractions. Potential employers want to see you, not your holiday scenery.

Some people use their graduation photo for LinkedIn, but this isn't always the best choice. You don't look like your everyday self in a hat and gown. It'll also quickly date after graduation.

If you don't have an existing photo that you like, take a head and shoulders snap against a plain background. Think of it like a passport photo - but you're allowed to smile here! If you wear what you'd wear in an interview, you'll instantly look professional.

Write a strong headline

Your LinkedIn headline is a summary of who you are that appears alongside your name. If you don't customise this, the default will be your job title. Take the time to edit your headline as it's a great place to express yourself. If you're looking for your next opportunity, use this space to call out what you want too.

Some good examples of LinkedIn profile headlines for students and graduates include:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences Student, University of Lincoln | Looking for Summer STEM Industry Placement
• Business Graduate, UCL | Former P&G Placement | Red Cross Volunteer | Seeking Permanent Role
• Graduate Data Analyst at Jarmany - French Speaker - IT Infrastructure Enthusiast

Your headline should tell people what you do (or want to do) in a short and snappy way. Top tip: use punctuation such as pipes ('|') or hyphens ('-') to divide the headline into different points.

Do I need a banner?

Don't worry about a profile banner. LinkedIn banners are nice to have but aren't essential.

If you've got easy access to custom banners, feel free to use one. Some universities provide LinkedIn banners for students and graduates. Using a uni banner is a good idea if you've studied at a prestigious institution.

If you're applying for a creative role, designing your own banner is one way of showing off your skills.

Click on the source link below and discover more on this subject ...

• Your biography
• Work experience
• Skills, endorsements and recommendations
• Showing your professional personality
• Using LinkedIn for networking

Sources

Bright Network
How to use LinkedIn as a student or recent graduate

By Bright Network
All the best internships & graduate jobs in one place We do the hard work for you, searching far and wide to find all of the best opportunities for students and recent graduates. Across the widest range of sectors and locations, find what you're looking for and add it to your personal application calendar