I created a LinkedIn a while ago in an effort to propel me in my high school job and internship search, as well as to stalk some of my prospective colleges (confession: I follow a lot of them on all sorts of social media). I am very passionate about data science and journalism, as well as biomedicine/biology (research?), and I needed some ideas as to what I can put on my LinkedIn profile to make me a little more, ahem, appealing to recruiters. Is there anything in particular I can add to improve my chances?
You can only put on your Linkedin things that really are happening with you.
You are a HS sophomore. Do you work on your student newspaper? You say you have a blog…list that.
Do you have any sort of job? List that.
What kinds of writing have you already done?
You can add things as you do them…but you have to DO them first. My Linkedin Page has alsmost nothing on it when i started it…and I’m retired now! I started with the basic about me information. And it grew from there.
I would not set up a LinkedIn account as a HS student.
I was going to say, “nothing.”
Nothing. LinkedIn is not for high school students.
Someone who is looking to hire high school students, is not going to be looking for them on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is for adult professionals.
Above all…do not make things up or exaggerate what you put on LinkedIn. I agree…folks looking for HS students are not looking there…at all.
Yes, it’s not a recruitment tool for HS students. But S18 has a LinkedIn account and finds it somewhat useful for networking and as a record of career-related achievements. Roughly half of his 50+ contacts are other students from his HS so it’s not that uncommon to be using LinkedIn at this stage.
He lists his school (including his position as Class President, but nothing beyond that), his (intended) college and his internships and other roles in a few national organizations that have their own pages. He also flags articles of interest somewhat regularly. He does more with it than I do (I prefer Twitter for marketing myself due to the nature of my work).
Thanks! All this has been so helpful. Yes, I looked around before I made a LinkedIn and a lot of places say that it might be a good idea just because it can set you apart during college apps. Of course I would be putting only things I have actually done, but I just needed to know if there might be anything I was forgetting that might be important to include.
It’s just a social media account that takes a few minutes to set up–anyone can do that. How will it set you apart? Anything you put on there can also be conveyed through your college applications, so what do you think you’re accomplishing with a LinkedIn account?
I’m with those above who say it buys you nothing and is not for HS students. Move on.
I don’t think it would “set you apart during college apps”. But if you are looking for an internship, whether now or especially later on, it can be a useful way to connect with people you might ultimately want to work for. So for example S18 did an internship last year for a local politician. He was introduced during his internship to a state representative and took the opportunity to connect with him on LinkedIn. It provided a connection that might come in handy if he later wants an internship at the state capital while he’s in college.
And unlike an email address on a business card that might change later, the link will remain as your contact moves from job to job. If some of my son’s local/state contacts end up in Washington DC in a few years time that could be very useful. I mostly use LinkedIn for getting in touch with people I knew years ago who have changed jobs.
As an adult professional and mom of two HS rising Juniors, I encouraged both to create a LinkedIn account. Not because it would necessarily set them apart during college app time…but rather it would establish a “professional” online presence that would allow them to “network” and make connections. I am a firm believer in that there is a huge advantage in “networking” and making connections and it’s never too early for that! Don’t forget that your connections can also provide endorsements. I am where I am today in part due to networking. They are each starting small with their connections and for now are keeping it up more like a “virtual resume”. My daughter, for example, is currently only connected to 3 people – me, her Girl Scout Gold Award Mentor and the mother of someone she has babysat for many years. You can also “follow” your interests, including universities and volunteer organizations, etc.
Also, this is a new age…now that she is 16 she applied online for an entry level PT position at American Eagle…during the application process rather than upload a resume there was actually an option to simply link to her LinkedIn account.
Other LinkedIn features that my DD can use eventually is to connect with fellow students and even write articles!
Will having a LinkedIn account set you apart during college app time?..likely not…but it wouldn’t hurt either.