Leveraging LinkedIn for Professional Growth

By Oluchi Chukwuma, Shalom Jessica N., Nancy Omotoun, Azeezat Olatunde, and Adesewafunmi Adeusi 

The LinkedIn platform has gained much traction in the professional field. In September 2024, Nigeria boasted over 10.6 million LinkedIn users, with students making up 28.1%. This demonstrates the platform’s growing influence on young professionals. Renowned for connecting users with job opportunities and facilitating professional networking, LinkedIn has become an essential tool for career development. 

Timi Awesu, an HR expert with a Master of Business Administration from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, emphasised its importance. According to him, the platform is a community centred on workplace ethics, networking, and personal branding. He highlighted the ways LinkedIn can be used, which are:

Networking

Awesu explained how LinkedIn allows users to connect beyond their immediate circles, promoting meaningful professional relationships. 

These connections can lead to valuable opportunities such as job offers, professional alliances, and access to high-profile events. Awesu advised users to be intentional about networking, starting with people they meet at conferences or industry events. 

“When events on campus involve students or jobs, go there to listen to them and learn,” he advised. “When you meet someone interesting, type their name on LinkedIn, follow them, and send a connection request. This way, you stay updated with their posts and lay the foundation for meaningful professional relationships.”

Attending events and engaging with professionals helps expand your network and provides valuable exposure. 

LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is your brand. It is where potential employers, recruiters, and professional connections learn who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you aspire to do. Awesu described it as a snapshot of your career.

 “Your LinkedIn profile gives me a quick view into your career sojourn. I see the posts you liked, your work experience, education, and the licenses and certifications you’ve gotten.” 

To create a compelling profile, Awesu stressed authenticity and creativity. Avoid jargon, keep your language concise, and draw inspiration from successful professionals in your field. 

“Study profiles of professionals in your field. Notice their structure, tone, and presentation, then replicate these elements in your profile,” he advised.

Many students make avoidable mistakes on LinkedIn, often neglecting professionalism and strategy. A polished profile, with a clean photo and professional banner, can leave a lasting impression. Tools like Canva can help enhance your visuals without much effort.

Another critical aspect of a strong LinkedIn profile is the strategic use of keywords. Optimising your profile with industry-specific keywords can make you more discoverable. 

“Essential elements of an attractive LinkedIn profile would be a well-optimized use of industry-related keywords. For example, if I’m searching for ‘finance associates’ in fintech, those keywords should feature in your profile to ensure you appear in search results.” he said.

Skills Acquisition

For students just starting their careers without any experience to highlight, mentioning skills and certifications is widely encouraged. With the growing accessibility to online courses, many students acquire certifications, the first step in skills acquisition. To truly maximise their value, you must find ways to apply what you’ve learned. 

“For instance, if you’ve completed a digital marketing certification, offer to help a friend promote their small business. Similarly, if you have learned graphic design, volunteer to create designs for a non-profit organisation.” Awesu pointed out.

This hands-on approach allows you to gain real-world experience, which is critical in today’s competitive job market. 

“If you take a lot of courses and can’t produce results once employed, your employment will be terminated immediately,” he warned.

Employers are not just looking for certifications; they want proof that you can deliver. Certifications are valuable when combined with practical experience that builds your portfolio.

LinkedIn is more than just a platform—it’s a tool for growth. By building quality relationships and showcasing their skills and accomplishments, students can position themselves for success. The key is to go beyond merely creating a profile and focus on fostering meaningful engagement. Start today: build your network, connect strategically, and let LinkedIn work for you.