If you’re a law student looking for a job, don’t underestimate the value of a polished LinkedIn profile. The professional networking site offers a great opportunity to network and connect with your colleagues and if used correctly, it just might lead you to your next employer. To help you hit the ground running, we’ve come up with this list of hints on how to use LinkedIn as a law student.
- Start Early
If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, it’s never too early to start. Even as a 1L, having a presence on LinkedIn can help you make connections, grow your network, and lead to legal opportunities. If you can learn to use LinkedIn as a law student, you’ll be an expert by the time you’re looking for full-time jobs! - Make Sure Your Profile Picture Sends the Right Message
We all know that a picture is worth one thousand words — and that’s definitely the case here. An unprofessional profile picture may make the difference between someone accepting your connection request or hitting “Ignore.” Your photo communicates your personal brand, so make sure you’re wearing professional attire. Additionally, make sure your photo is a recent one; if you’re still using your senior portrait, it’s time to invest in some professional headshots. - Complete Your Profile
In a way, your LinkedIn profile is like your resume. It’s most useful to you when it includes all the relevant information (and no irrelevant information). With that in mind, take care to completely fill out your profile. If you’re looking for a law job, you should list all of your legal positions on your profile. Non-legal experiences can be relevant too! - Connect With Your Peers
Once you’re satisfied with your profile, it’s time to start connecting with your peers. Your classmates are a great place to start. As you have more experience, you may want to add former co-workers, mentors, and other legal connections. As your network grows in size and quality, the chances that you’ll share a connection with a hiring manager increases. However, it is possible to overdo it. Do not send an invitation to connect to everyone you happen to come across. - Grow Your Presence
In addition to making individual connections, there are other ways to use LinkedIn as a law student. You can join professional groups, follow businesses and firms that you’re interested in, and share articles you think are relevant to your community. However, always keep in mind that LinkedIn is a professional social network — don’t be too casual! What might be appropriate for a different social media platform may not be appropriate on LinkedIn.
