Welcome to the post-graduate world. Graduation is a step towards being a true professional, and it also means you’re leaving behind an environment in which you were continuously making academic and career connections. Without this constant stream of networking opportunities, it can be easy to get stuck in a professional rut.

LinkedIn is a powerful and easy tool to develop and create meaningful and productive relationships. It suggests jobs that match a person’s credentials, allows employers to view potential candidates’ profiles, and sets up networking opportunities. Over 300 million people use LinkedIn, but of this number, only 30 million are recent graduates. 

It’s important to create meaningful connections with people in career fields/positions that you are interested in. With LinkedIn, you can network with people in a field relevant to you, in a specific position that you are interested in, or even who work for a company that you like. Often, these connections can actually lead to a job or another career opportunity. Remember to always follow these important connections with a personalized message that demonstrates your interest in the person/company that you are reaching out to. Read our blog post for more specific information on LinkedIn networking etiquette.

Even if you have already accepted a full-time job for after graduation, LinkedIn still plays an important role in your professional success. Networking as a full-time worker just looks a little different. You can connect with fellow colleagues, which builds stronger professional relationships and, in turn, can only benefit the growth of your career. It’s also important to network with other people in your field, as you can share insights on the industry and swap tips that you can use in your workplace, future job searches, and even everyday life. 

It’s also essential to consistently keep your professional skills and brand up to date in order to continue to be the best working self you can be. Career health is maintained just like physical health is — by establishing a routine of “exercising” your various skills (muscles) to keep them as strong as possible. LinkedIn provides free online courses on subjects like time management as well as programs that teach specific “in-demand skills” such as Excel data visualization and learning Python coding that you can pay for through LinkedIn Learning. Once you master these new abilities, you can add them to the “skills and endorsement” section of your profile. 

In summary, you can succeed in LinkedIn after you graduate by:

• Ensuring you have a strong, well-rounded profile
• Networking with people in relevant careers/positions/companies
• Connecting with colleagues and sharing industry insights
• Keeping career skills/brand updated

If you are seeking assistance with your LinkedIn profile or need other career advice, please reach out to us at sphcareers@umn.edu.

We wish you the best!