1.
Topic 2: Relationships Matter
Connecting with Other
Students and Professionals
on LinkedIn

2.
At LinkedIn we believe that
when it comes to building your
dream career, nothing gives
you a head start like forging a
professional network in
your uni days.
Do you ask yourself if it’s
necessary or even possible
to start networking while
you’re still at university?

3.
If you’ve been following the series, you’ll know from
Topic 1 how to create a winning profile on LinkedIn.
It starts with a great picture, headline, and summary. A fully
completed education and experience section is vital too. That
will help you get a job now and in the future.

4.
But often it’s also about knowing the right people – or
knowing people who know the right people…

5.
Topic 2 is all about the importance of
relationships and we’ll show you some tips
on how to build your network like a pro.
Let’s jump in and start connecting!

6.
Step 1:
Build your network
Networking can be intimidating for
those on the first rungs of the career
ladder. If you’re at university, you
might not know where to begin.
Want to know a secret? Your
student years are the ideal time to
start mapping out who you are in
the world of work – and where you
want to go.

7.
Whatever stage of education
you’re at - whether you
have a job to subsidize your
studies or not – your network
is probably far bigger than
you realise.

8.
So,
start close to home.
Begin by sending connection
requests to those that know you well
- friends, family, neighbours, teachers,
colleagues and classmates.

9.
You can also import your
contacts via selecting
from your email address.
Simple!
To make things
easy, LinkedIn also
offers suggestions
for people you may
know based on
contacts you already
have.

10.
Building your network is not just about who
you know.
It’s about who your connections know too.
Think of it as setting up a framework for opportunity. You never
know where the next one will come from, so it pays to connect
with people of different industries, professions and countries.

11.
Use keywords like the
title of your ideal job or
company and look at
their LinkedIn pages for
inspiration.
Use the search bar
to find contacts that
could help map your
career goals.

12.
You can also narrow down
your search and filter results
by experience or seniority
(This is why having keywords in
your headline is so important!)
But what do you do once
you’ve found someone who’s
living your dream?

13.
There’s no such thing as a
one-size-fits-all invitation
message, so be honest and
professional and explain
why you’d like to connect.
Don’t be shy!
Drop them a
personalised invitation
to connect.

14.
Let them know how you
know them - whether that’s
through a friend, via a website
or through LinkedIn search
results. It’ll help get the
conversation started.

15.
Bear
in mind - people
aren’t mind readers.
If you’re looking for career
insights and admire their profile,
let them know.
Open communication is always best!

16.
Step 2:
Keep in touch with your network
So now you’ve built an awesome profile and got plenty of
connections with family, friends, colleagues, professors…..
What next?

17.
Bolster your image by sharing
regular updates to remind
people who you are and what
you’re all about. Share industry
news, stories and events that
demonstrate your interests and
passions.
Like other social
networks, status
updates are a great way
to stay top of mind.

18.
Remember:
Spelling and grammar
are a reflection of you, so
proofread posts before you hit
update. You don’t have to scribe like
Ernest Hemingway, but try to eliminate
errors.

19.
Rather than regurgitating
on-brand bulletins, aim to
offer your own insights on
trending topics and posts
by Influencers.
Always be
authentic.

20.
And don’t forget to say
‘thanks’ whenever it’s due.
You never know which
conversation might lead to
a new opportunity down the
road.
If people engage
with you by writing a
comment or sending an
inMail always reply.

21.
And if you’re looking to
connect with like-minded
people, groups are a great
place to build your network
and share ideas.
You might be finishing an
essay or your thesis and want
share an interesting insight, or
an enlightening quote.

22.
As you grow in confidence,
you might wonder how to
grow a captive audience.
Forming connections
with alumni groups and
organisations that share your
interests will increase the
likelihood of engagement
and conversation.

23.
As you network, keep in
mind, it’s always better
to give than take.
Comment on a fellow student’s
status update or forward a job
listing to a friend. What goes
around comes around.
And of course always say thank
you when somebody puts an
opportunity your way.

24.
So, there you have it! A guide to
establishing great relationships on
LinkedIn in 7 simple steps.
Get all this nailed and you’ll be building your
network (and prospects) in no time at all.

25.
Remember these key points:
Start by connecting with family and
friends
Import your contacts using your
email address to further expand your
network.
Use the search functions to find
people who could help you map your
career
Send personalised invitations to
people you’d like to connect with
but don’t know - always explain why
you’re making a connection
Keep in touch with your network via
status updates
Join groups to demonstrate your
passion and prompt interesting
conversations
Always respond and say thank you to
those that connect with you