A student’s guide to LinkedIn in 2025
Let’s be real: not everyone has a parent who can call up a friend at a top law firm, tech company, or investment bank.
If you're state-educated, the first in your family to go to uni, or just don’t know anyone in your dream industry, LinkedIn becomes way more than just a profile. It’s your first stab at building a professional network.
And yet, the fear of not yet having a professional network is what often holds students and new graduates back from taking that first step, resulting in a vicious cycle.
But here’s the truth: LinkedIn isn’t about having the most polished CV, or the most connections. It’s about owning your story, building your personal brand and showing people what you bring to the table, no matter how early you are in your career, or where you went to school.
This guide is here to help you do just that, promising no fluff, no corporate jargon, and no assumption that you already know how this works already.
So, first things first, what actually is LinkedIn?
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, offering individuals and businesses the chance to connect digitally, rather than just in-person.
But what does a ‘professional networking’ platform actually involve? Well, LinkedIn offers a few main services within the platform, all of which will be useful to students like you.
Professional network: LinkedIn users can connect with like-minded individuals, colleagues, course mates, employers and industry leaders. They see your posts and you can see (and engage with) theirs.
News outlet: LinkedIn has a news section where you can read about everything from hiring trends to career advice and big commercial stories. It’s a great place to engage with leading stories that are topical among businesses and professionals right now.
Jobs board: LinkedIn has a jobs section where they pull together a long list of roles that seem like a good fit for you based on your experience, qualifications, and the skills listed on your page. It’s a great way to find new opportunities without crawling lots of job sites daily, including if you’re keen to work while studying.
Communities: LinkedIn users can join groups and communities within the platform, making it easy to stay in touch with people you’ve met at specific events, or even just alumni from your university. We cover this in more detail in our guide to event networking for students, which includes using LinkedIn.
Educational platform: LinkedIn also offers a wide range of online courses, allowing you to upskill and gain qualifications no matter what stage of your career you’re in. It makes learning accessible to everyone, including students.
Direct messaging: Like most other social media platforms, LinkedIn lets you message your connections privately. This is great if you want to seek advice from an industry leader, or if you want to reach out to a hiring manager about upcoming opportunities. It also makes it much easier to stay in touch with other professionals.
Why Linkedin matters more than ever in 2025
In 2025, LinkedIn has become much more than a digital CV. It’s a tool to close gaps in social capital, break into industries where connections matter, and access opportunities hidden behind informal networks.
For students from working-class or state-educated backgrounds, LinkedIn represents a vital opportunity to build the kind of professional network many of their peers inherit.
Access to top graduate roles isn’t just about merit or hard work. It's shaped by who you know — and how early you know them. When we asked students what they believed the biggest determiners were in securing their dream roles, here’s what they said:
44% said being well-networked was the most important factor
39% ranked it as the second most important
That’s where LinkedIn comes in.
It’s one of the few platforms that gives any student, from any background, a chance to start building that all-important network…even without existing contacts in the industry.
In a world where who you know is often more decisive than what you know, LinkedIn allows you to take that first step and start building the network you weren’t handed.
Better yet, you won’t be joining the platform without any connections when you’re part of The 93% Club. You’ll be joining the UK’s largest network of state-educated students and professionals keen to help you break into the industries they already work in.
How can students leverage LinkedIn effectively?
1. Start with a headline that makes you searchable
Your headline (the line under your name) is one of the most visible parts of your profile. It’s what recruiters see in search results, and it’s where you signal what you’re interested in. The default headline just shows your degree or current job, but that’s not very helpful if you’re a student trying to stand out.
Instead, write a headline that includes your subject, career interests, and a keyword or two from the kinds of roles you want. For example:
"Politics student | Interested in public policy & advocacy | Volunteering with Citizens Advice"
This gives context and shows direction, even if you don’t have formal experience yet.
2. Don’t undersell part-time work or volunteering
A lot of students think LinkedIn is only for corporate jobs. We’re here to tell you it’s not. Part-time jobs, society roles, tutoring, mentoring — they all count. The key is how you describe them, and the value you give them.
Instead of writing “Retail Assistant” and leaving it blank, describe what you actually did. Think about the transferable skills you picked up along the way: time management, communication, teamwork, responsibility.
This is all real experience that equips you for the professional world. Don’t downplay it out of embarrassment, own it.
3. Unpick the career journeys of people you aspire to
LinkedIn is a great tool for identifying exactly which routes you can follow into your dream career. Simply search for your dream job title and company. From there, you’ll find everything you need to understand the paths others have taken to get there.
Here are a few top tips:
Search strategically: On LinkedIn, enter your dream job title (e.g., “Creative Director” or “Product Manager”) and filter by your ideal companies. This shows you real professionals currently in that role.
Study their profiles:
Look at their education – what did they study?
Examine their career trajectory – what roles did they have before their current job?
Pay attention to skills and certifications – these often signal what helped them get ahead.
Spot patterns: Are most people coming from a certain industry, company, or educational background? These patterns can inform your own strategy.
Note detours and pivots: Not everyone follows a straight path. Seeing how people transition across roles or industries can be encouraging and give you realistic ideas for entry points.
Reach out (politely): Consider messaging someone whose journey inspires you. A short, respectful note asking for 10–15 minutes of advice can go a long way. Keep it specific and appreciative.
By “unpacking” these journeys, you’re not just imagining your dream job — you’re reverse-engineering how to get there.
4. Share what you’re learning today
You don’t need to wait until you’ve landed a big internship or job to start posting on LinkedIn. In fact, building your voice early helps people get to know what you’re interested in and what you care about.
Here are some ideas for what students can post:
A takeaway from a recent lecture or guest speaker
A personal win (finishing a tough project, learning a new tool)
Reflections from volunteering, part-time work, or mentoring
Your response to an article or current issue in your sector
Top tip: You don’t need to sound overly formal. Write like a thoughtful human, not a robot. Authenticity goes a long way, and any interviewer that has familarised themselves with your profile will expect you to show up consistently across both.
5. Make your “About” section tell your story
The "About" section is your space to explain who you are, what drives you, and what you’re looking for. A great student profile doesn’t just list facts — it connects the dots.
Here’s a simple structure that works well:
Where you are now: e.g. “I’m a second-year Economics student at XYZ University...”
What you care about: e.g. “...with a strong interest in financial inclusion and ethical business.”
What you’ve done: e.g. “I’ve developed my communication skills through tutoring and student radio.”
Where you’re going: e.g. “I’m now looking to build experience in economic research or policy analysis.”
You don’t need all the answers. Simply showing curiosity and direction helps people help you.
6. Give the free learning resources a go
One of LinkedIn’s best-kept secrets for students is LinkedIn Learning. It’s a treasure trove of short, easy-to-follow courses on everything from Excel and coding to communication and project management. Lots of universities and institutions offer free access, so it’s worth checking if you can unlock the full library of courses at no cost.
Even if you don’t have free access, LinkedIn Learning offers some free courses and often runs free trials. Completing courses here can boost your skills, fill gaps in your CV, and even earn you certificates that you can proudly showcase right on your profile’s Featured section.
If you’re not sure where to start, LinkedIn also offers a handy tool that recommends courses based on your aspirational job title.
6. Give it the time you give other socials
We’re all guilty of scrolling Instagram and TikTok mindlessly, but giving even 10–15 minutes a week to LinkedIn can genuinely open doors.
Think of it like a professional version of your other platforms — one where showing up thoughtfully can connect you to people, opportunities, and ideas that move you forward.
Here’s what that time might look like:
Update your profile when something new happens (e.g a course, a part-time job, an achievement)
Engage: Like or comment on a post from someone in your field. It helps you learn and gets you seen
Message someone: Ask for advice, say thanks, or reconnect after a talk or event
Post something: Share what you’re learning, working on, or thinking about
You don’t need to be perfect, just present. The more you use it, the more comfortable and useful it becomes.
7. Don’t wait to feel ready!
Related to our last point, you don’t need the perfect profile to use LinkedIn well. Like any skill, confidence comes with practice. Every post, every message, every bit of profile tweaking helps you learn.
So don’t stress about being polished. Show up as someone who’s learning, interested, and willing to put themselves out there. That’s already impressive.
The most useful LinkedIn features for students
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides a wide range of online courses and tutorials covering various topics, including business, technology, creative skills, and more. As a student, you can take advantage of this feature to enhance your skills and gain knowledge in your areas of interest.
Analytics
LinkedIn's Analytics feature provides insights into the performance and engagement of your profile and posts. It shows you information such as the number of profile views, post views, and engagement metrics. By analysing these analytics, you can understand how well your content is performing and which employers are viewing your profile.
Alumni search tool
The Alumni Tool allows you to explore and connect with alumni from your university or educational institution. You can filter by location, industry, company, and more to find alumni who can provide insights, mentorship, or even potential job opportunities.
Groups
Join LinkedIn Groups relevant to your field of study or career aspirations. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share insights. Groups provide an excellent platform to network, learn from industry professionals, and connect with like-minded individuals.
Events
LinkedIn Events feature allows you to discover and join professional events, conferences, webinars, and workshops. Attending industry events can expand your network, provide learning opportunities, and help you stay updated with the latest trends in your field.
22 LinkedIn questions every student asks
Is LinkedIn free for students?
Yep, it’s completely free to use. You only pay for “Premium” features, but you definitely don’t need them to start.
When should I make a LinkedIn profile?
Now. You don’t need a full CV or a finished degree — just a few lines about who you are, what you’re studying, and what you’re interested in.
I’ve only had part-time jobs — do those count?
Yes! Retail, hospitality, babysitting, tutoring — they all show skills like time management, communication, teamwork, and reliability. Just describe them clearly and confidently.
What photo should I use?
A clear, friendly head-and-shoulders shot with a plain background. No need to be ultra formal — just clean, confident, and appropriate.
What skills should I add to my profile?
Start with things you’ve used in study or work: communication, teamwork, research, Excel, Canva, writing, coding, etc. You can always update as you grow.
Who should I connect with?
Start with classmates, lecturers, tutors, people you meet at events, and professionals you admire. Don’t be shy! Most people are happy to connect so long as you respect their time and boundaries.
Should I message people I don’t know?
Yes, but politely and without expectations! Keep it short and specific, like:
"Hi Jamie, I’m a student at XYZ Uni and saw you work in the charity sector. I’d love to ask about your path if you’re open to it."
You’d be surprised how many people say yes to a casual conversation.
What if someone doesn’t reply?
That’s totally normal. People are busy, so don’t take it personally. Try someone else, or follow and engage with their posts instead. If they’re posting consistently on Linkedin, you can probably learn a lot from them regardless.
Can I message recruiters or hiring managers?
Yes, respectfully. If you’ve seen a job you’re interested in, you can message with a short question or express interest. Just don’t ask them to give you a job outright.
Do I need to post all the time?
Not at all. Even once a month is useful. Or just start by liking and commenting on posts that interest you — that still builds visibility.
Can I find jobs or internships through LinkedIn?
Yes. There’s a whole Jobs section that suggests roles based on your interests and skills. Plus, many jobs are posted on LinkedIn before they appear elsewhere.
How do I customise my LinkedIn URL?
Go to your profile → click “Edit public profile & URL” (top right) → then click the pencil icon next to your URL. Change it to something clean like linkedin.com/in/yourname.
How do I reorder sections on my profile?
Hover over a section header, then click and drag the ✥ icon to move it. You can reorder things like Education, Experience, and Volunteering based on what you want to highlight.
How do I add media or projects to my profile?
Go to a specific experience or education entry → click the pencil icon → scroll down and click “Add media” to upload documents, images, links, or presentations.
What’s the “Featured” section, and how do I use it?
The Featured section lets you showcase top achievements. This can be a post, a certificate, your CV, a project portfolio, or even a blog. Think of it like pinning something in particular to the top of your profile. Add it by clicking “Add profile section” → “Recommended” → “Add Featured.”
What’s the best way to list short-term experience (like a week-long programme)?
Still include it! Label it as a short-term internship or insight day. Clarify the dates and what you learned. These mini experiences show proactivity.
How do I optimise my profile for search?
Use relevant keywords in your headline, About section, and skills list. Think like a recruiter: what phrases would they search to find someone like you? (e.g., “data analysis,” “graphic design,” “social impact”)
How do I get skills endorsed?
Add skills to your profile, then ask people you’ve worked with (even in uni or volunteering) to endorse you. You can also endorse them first — many will return the favour.
How do I avoid people seeing profile updates while I edit?
Go to Settings → Visibility → Share profile updates with your network → toggle this off while you make changes.
What is LinkedIn Learning and is it worth using?
LinkedIn Learning offers short online courses (some are free for students). Courses in Excel, project management, coding, or business writing can be great for boosting your profile and adding certificates.
How do I find and join LinkedIn groups?
Search keywords like “STEM students,” “Marketing grads,” or “Black students in tech” → filter by Groups → click “Join.” It’s a great way to find like-minded peers and stay informed.
Can I track who’s viewed my profile?
Yes, if you’ve turned on that setting. Free users can see a limited list, while Premium gives more detail. Use this to see if people you reached out to have looked at your profile.
Do you need a LinkedIn account?
Having a LinkedIn account can be advantageous for students that want to build their network and be exposed to more opportunities.
LinkedIn also helps to level the playing ground for first-generation students that might not have friends and family in certain roles.
This is because it gives them the opportunity to reach out to professionals and employers for advice, mentorship and experience - regardless of who they know already.
This is something we’re passionate about at The 93% Club. We want to give state-educated students the same opportunities to succeed in their career that privately educated students have.
If you want to expand your network beyond LinkedIn, hit the button below to join the club.
