How to Use LinkedIn and Other Tools to Build Your Career Early

In today’s digital era, having a degree is not enough to make a career. Now you should also know how to present yourself to the world – that too in a professional manner. Platforms like LinkedIn make this task easy.

Many students and freshers think that LinkedIn is only for experienced people, but the truth is that if you learn to use this platform correctly at the beginning of your career, then the path ahead can be very easy.

What is LinkedIn and why is it important?

Founded in 2003, LinkedIn is a professional networking site with over 800 million users as of right now. You can call it a professional version of Facebook – where you connect not with friends or relatives, but with people who are related to your work, skills or industry.

Its main purpose is:

• Connecting professionals
• Finding new career opportunities
• Contacting companies and recruiters directly
• Showcasing your skills, experience and achievements
• Creating personal branding
• Knowing the latest industry news and trends

Many companies nowadays check LinkedIn profiles before hiring someone. So, if you haven’t created a profile on it yet, now is the time.

How to use LinkedIn to build a career?

Here we will understand all the important steps and tips one by one, which will help you create a strong digital identity:

1. Creating a LinkedIn profile – your first identity

First of all, create a free account on LinkedIn. After that, make sure to do these things:

• Choose a good profile photo
  The photo should be simple – you should look like you get ready for an interview. With a light smile and a clean background.
• Add a cover image or background image
  This image can be a representation of your work or passion — like books, coding screens, cameras, or a motivational quote.
• Fill in the headline and “About” section
  Who you are, what you do, and what you want to do next — describe it all in a clear and interesting way in the “About” section.

Example:
“A passionate commerce student with a strong interest in digital marketing and branding. Actively seeking opportunities to grow and learn.”

2. Fill in the education, experience, and skills in detail

• What studies have you done?
• Any internships or projects you have done?
• What technical or soft skills do you have?
• Volunteer work or social service?

Example:

• B.Com (Hons), XYZ University | 2021–2024
• Internship: Content Intern at ABC Media – Managed blog writing and SEO optimization
• Skills: MS Excel, Canva, Content Writing, Teamwork

3. Make connections — have a digital handshake

Now that your profile is ready, the next step is networking. This means adding people you know:

• College friends
• Professors
• Senior students
• Mentors with internships
• Old classmates or teachers

Adding someone on LinkedIn is like giving out visiting cards. It expands your professional world.

4. Find jobs and internship opportunities

LinkedIn has a “Jobs” tab where you can search for jobs or internships based on your interests and skills.

Filter:

• Location
• Experience level
• Keywords (Marketing, Design, Finance etc.)
• Company name
• Internship / Full-time

Before applying on LinkedIn, make sure to update your profile. Many companies have an option of “Easy Apply”, through which you can apply directly.

5. Get a badge by giving Skills Assessment

LinkedIn has online tests for many skills, such as Excel, JavaScript, Photoshop etc. If you pass this test, you get a “Verified Skills” badge.

According to LinkedIn, having such a badge increases your chances of getting a job by 30%.

6. Share content and look professional

LinkedIn is not just a platform to build a network, it is also a place to share your thoughts and information.

• Read a good article? Share it.
• Completed a project? Upload a photo or video.
• Have you written anything yourself? Post a blog.

This way you can present yourself as a knowledgeable and serious professional in the industry.

7. Follow Thought Leaders

On LinkedIn, you can follow famous people in your field — like Satya Nadella, Ratan Tata, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, etc.

This gives you new ideas, industry trends and career tips — and all this absolutely for free.

8. Be a part of Groups and Communities

If you are in design, marketing, finance or any other field, then join groups of that field. There you can ask questions, connect with new people and learn a lot.

Examples:

• “Digital Marketing for Beginners”
• “Women in Tech”
• “AI & Machine Learning India”

9. Get Skill Endorsements and Recommendations

Your connections on LinkedIn can endorse your skills. This gives credibility to your skills.

• Ask for a recommendation from a senior or professor
• Endorse the skills of a friend or mentor, he will do the same for you

Benefits of LinkedIn

• Build a professional network for free
• Get recommendations from companies and recruiters Join
• Showcasing skills and certifications
• Opportunities to learn and grow in your career
• Present yourself as a brand

Some LinkedIn precautions

• The free version of LinkedIn offers a lot, but features like InMail are premium
• Premium plans can be expensive, like ₹1500–₹7000/month
• It will take some time and patience to create a profile and stay active initially
• Sometimes the app has bugs, but mostly it works smoothly

Get started today!

If you haven’t created a profile on LinkedIn yet, create an account today with a professional email. Slowly update your profile, connect with people, and start sharing content. You will see how this small step can make a big difference to your career.