What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is an online platform where early and seasoned professionals from a variety of fields connect to share job and internship opportunities, collaborate and network. It is one of the best platforms for networking with professionals both nearby and far. In addition to LinkedIn, a similar resource just for students is Handshake.
You can use LinkedIn as:
- A place to find jobs and internships
- A tool to connect with and strengthen professional relationships
- A way to stay up to date with companies you're interested in and get exposure to different organizations
- A way to share where you are in your professional journey
Using LinkedIn and Social Media to Network
Social media is a useful tool for networking and can show you're engaged with digital trends and possess digital skills. LinkedIn is the most common professional networking platform that can be used to find jobs and network. In addition to LinkedIn, you can create a professional social media account (usually separate from your personal account), online portfolio or blog to help you engage with companies in your field and showcase your interests or skills.
When using social media professionally, it is crucial to ensure all your social media posts have a positive tone. Employers prefer candidates with a good attitude, so try to avoid airing grievances or complaints online. Instead, post upbeat, well-worded updates about your job search, interests and educational pursuits.
One of the most helpful features you'll want to explore is the UC Davis alumni tool, where you can browse the 220,000+ UC Davis alumni/students and filter by major, company, job title and location.
The social media landscape is always changing, so if you have any questions about how to use it in networking, we recommend you schedule an appointment with a career advisor and attend the Networking and LinkedIn workshop for additional online networking tips.
Building Your Profile
View on the sections below to view tips and best practices.
- Profile Picture / Banner Image:
- Profile Picture: Use a high-quality headshot where you are dressed appropriately for your industry. Ensure good lighting, a neutral background and a welcoming expression. This significantly increases profile views.
Banner Image: Choose an image that visually reinforces your professional brand. It could showcase your industry expertise, achievements or professional interests. - Headline:
Craft a headline that is informative and attention-grabbing. It should succinctly convey your current role, key skills and career aspirations. This is one of the first things recruiters see.
Example: Instead of using the pre populated “Student at UC Davis” headline, personalize it to highlight specific skills or career goals relevant to your field, like "Aspiring Genetic Counselor | Dedicated to Advancing Personalized Medicine."
- About:
This section serves as your elevator pitch. Aim for a concise yet detailed summary (maximum 2,000 characters) that highlights your academic achievements, professional competencies and career objectives.
Start with a compelling opening to grab attention since only the first 2-3 lines appear without clicking "See More." Try to incorporate industry-specific keywords to enhance discoverability in LinkedIn searches.
Use the Career Center’s Networking Pitch Handout to get started.
- Featured / Activity:
Activity: Engage actively with content that reflects positively on your professional image. Like and comment thoughtfully on posts related to your field to demonstrate industry knowledge and engagement. While you're at it, follow the Career Center on LinkedIn!
Featured: Showcase your best work or achievements by pinning them to the "Featured" section of your profile. This can include articles you've authored, projects you've led or presentations you've given.
- Experience:
Include: List all relevant experiences, both paid and unpaid, that demonstrate skills like leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. Include internships, research projects and any significant roles held during your time at UC Davis.
Describe: Use bullet points to detail your accomplishments for each role using the "ACTION VERB + CONTEXT = RESULTS" formula. This structure helps quantify your impact and showcases your contributions effectively. Learn more about accomplishment statements.
Attachments: Whenever possible, attach or link to relevant work samples (like presentations, reports or articles) in the media section to provide tangible evidence of your skills and achievements.
- Education:
Include comprehensive details about your education, including your major(s), minor(s) and any relevant coursework or projects. Highlight academic achievements such as honors, awards or a strong GPA.
Mention study abroad experiences or notable summer programs that contribute to your professional development.
Utilize the description section to elaborate on specific courses or academic projects that are directly related to your career interests.
- Skills:
Identify and list your key skills, focusing on those most relevant to your target industry. We recommend looking at profiles of professionals in your field for inspiration.
Link each skill to one or more Experiences to show evidence of where you developed them.
Pin your top three skills to ensure they are prominently displayed on your profile, above the "Show More" button, making them more visible to recruiters and connections.
Learn more about highlighting your skills.
- Additional Sections:
Volunteer Experience: Include long-term volunteer roles under the "Experience" section to showcase your commitment and skills outside of academics.
Recommendations: Request recommendations from supervisors, professors or colleagues who can attest to your skills and work ethic. When possible try to write recommendations for others to pay it forward.
Projects, Publications, Honors and Awards: Highlight any significant projects or publications directly related to your field. Mention relevant honors or awards to further strengthen your profile.
- Tips and Best Practices:
Aim to connect with at least fifty people initially to unlock broader networking opportunities outside your immediate circle.
Use LinkedIn's search features to find and connect with UC Davis alumni or professionals in your industry. This can provide valuable networking opportunities and insights into career paths.
When sending connection requests, always personalize them with a brief note (up to 200 characters) explaining how you found the person and why you're interested in connecting. Check out our LinkedIn connections informational video for more information.
- Profile URL and Privacy:
Ensure your profile is set to public so it's accessible to potential employers and recruiters.
Customize your LinkedIn URL to include your name, making it easier to share on your resume and other professional documents.
Include your LinkedIn profile URL on your resume to encourage further networking and profile visits.
For personalized guidance or a detailed review of your LinkedIn profile, visit the Career Center for further assistance.
LinkedIn Jobs and Other Job Boards
In today's competitive job market, using multiple job search platforms can help you maximize your job and internship search. You can start by using LinkedIn’s job board to connect you with opportunities that match your profile, interests, skills and experience. We also recommend other trusted platforms like Handshake, designed specifically for students and recent graduates, Google Jobs for a wide-ranging search experience, Indeed for its comprehensive job listings, GoinGlobal for international jobs and state/federal government job boards for public sector opportunities. You can also find industry specific job boards on our What Can I Do With My Major page.