With over 1 billion members, representing 58+ million companies and offering access to 15 million jobs and 120,000 schools, LinkedIn is the world’s leading professional network. At the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program, we encourage students to leverage this powerful tool to advance their academic and professional journeys.
On March 14th, over 80 students gathered for a workshop hosted by MBS Executive Coach and Assistant Director Abbe Rosenthal. The event featured a special guest, Sarah Viner, a LinkedIn Learning expert.
Staying ahead in a changing job market
Viner emphasized the importance of staying updated with the ever-evolving job market. Trends shift, industries grow, and new opportunities arise. Her advice? Continuous learning is key.
Rutgers students have free access to LinkedIn Learning, which is a valuable resource to sharpen skills and stay competitive. If you haven’t activated your account yet, visit the Rutgers webpage to get started. Viner suggested having an actionable plan when it comes to learning: make a list of three courses — one to complete within an hour, one within a week, and one within a month. This structured approach helps build the habit of learning and ensures steady progress.
Building a standout LinkedIn profile
Viner shared tips to refine your LinkedIn profile. She advised, think of LinkedIn as your professional storefront. Here are her essential tips:
- Update your photo: Choose a clear, professional image where you’re dressed as you would on your first day at your dream job.
- Record your name: Use the mobile app to record your name’s pronunciation.
- Craft a headline: You can go beyond your current title to express your professional identity and goals.
- Add your industry: Not sure where you’re headed? Choose a field of interest, and you can always update it later.
- Write a stand-out summary: Your LinkedIn summary is your personal elevator pitch. Keep it conversational, authentic, and aligned with your career aspirations. Feel free to use AI for a first draft, but ensure it reflects your voice. Aim for a wordcount of 40+ and highlight your value, skills, and aspirations. Viner recommended exploring Jodi Glickman’s course on Pitching Yourself for Opportunity, which is available on LinkedIn Learning.
Many students overlook LinkedIn’s Featured section, but it’s one of the most effective ways to highlight your work and strengthen your personal brand. Viner recommended adding rich media content such as: portfolios, presentations, research papers, videos, and certificates. Featuring your accomplishments creates a dynamic and engaging profile that captures recruiters’ attention.
Telling your professional story
Sarah stressed the importance of using LinkedIn to tell your professional story. When listing your experiences:
- Use action verbs like "spearheaded" and "drove".
- Describe your impact and accomplishments with measurable numbers.
- Provide context for lesser-known companies.
And don’t forget volunteer experience! Describe the organization's mission (if it is lesser known) and your specific role. Emphasize the impact of your contributions.
If you've taken a career break, LinkedIn allows you to address it purposefully. Viner recommended to use the 'Career Break' option and specify the reason. Emphasize any skills gained, certifications earned, or personal projects completed during your break to showcase growth. Whether you pursued further education, volunteered, traveled, or took time for personal development, framing it positively can showcase resilience and adaptability.
Skills are a crucial part of your LinkedIn profile, as recruiters often search for candidates using specific skill-based filters. Viner recommended adding specific skills that align with your career goals. Pin your top five skills ensures they are easily visible and routinely update your skills as you gain experience.
Leveraging networks and recommendations
Networking is an essential part of career growth, and LinkedIn makes it easy. Viner advised students to:
- Find Rutgers alumni at companies of your interest using LinkedIn’s search function. Always add a personal note when sending a connection request. Tell the person why you are connecting with them, how you know them, and what the purpose of the connection is. Check out the Informational Interviewing course on LinkedIn Learning for tips on how to make the most out of the connection.
- Request recommendations from professors, advisors, group members, or colleagues. Provide specific guidance on what you’d like them to highlight and be ready to write recommendations for others in return.
- Comment on posts, share insights, and engage with content from others within your field.
LinkedIn is more than a digital resume. It’s a dynamic space to tell your story, grow your network, and unlock opportunities. The workshop provided our students with an essential guide to optimizing their LinkedIn profiles and navigating the platform effectively.
As you take the next steps in refining your LinkedIn presence, remember to stay proactive, authentic, and always open to learning. For more events like this, make sure to follow our events page and stay connected with us. You can also follow us on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.