LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network. Recently, we did a post about How To Network on LinkedIn, then realized you may not even know what LinkedIn is. LinkedIn is a social outreach platform with over 400 million users that are actively seeking work or recruiting candidates. With one in three professionals in the world using Linkedin and 48% of recruiters using ONLY LinkedIn to network, it is easy to see how this platform is valuable to you! Although signing up for LinkedIn is quick, we want to elaborate on how to utilize the sign-up process to its full potential.

Here is how to get started on LinkedIn:

Visit www.LinkedIn.com

If you have an account, log in on the top right corner:

If you are new to LinkedIn then fill out the provided form, it’s FREE:

You will be asked a series of questions; fill them out based on your current situation:

Be sure to have access to the email used to sign up as LinkedIn will send you an email confirmation to continue:

Are you familiar with any connections LinkedIn has suggested? Take this opportunity to build your network and connect with any professional or personal acquaintances:

When uploading a photo, use a headshot or a recent professional photo of yourself. If you don't have one then ask a friend to take a quick smartphone photo of you against a white or plain background. Members with pictures receive up to 21x more profile views:

If you have fields or topics that you're interested in, use this next question set to follow networks and to receive feed updates. This will keep you posted on current industry happenings.

Just like your Facebook or Twitter, downloading the app will you keep informed on the go:

Now, you are signed up on LinkedIn. But don’t stop there! Here is your opportunity to showcase you and your skills to the professional universe. 

LinkedIn will make suggestions on how to strengthen your profile; follow their tutorial and fill it out the best you can:

Or you can manage your profile by adding a new profile section such as work experience and education:

Don’t forget to add your contact and personal information so potential employers or field professionals can connect with you:

There you have it! You are ready to start making meaningful connections. For starters, see who you already know on LinkedIn and connect immediately. Connecting with individuals whom you've had experience with will likely enable them to endorse you for skills you are savvy in. Endorsements may be the differentiator when recruiters are looking for candidates. In addition, endorsing someone else may grab their attention.

Take this time to follow the schools you have attended. Building a strong network starts with the opportunities closest to home. 80% of job openings are never advertised, so increase your odds by finding out about them through who you know and who they know. Following your university and/or group and engaging with people in your industry is a good way to establish yourself and get noticed. 

For Touro Graduate School of Technology students and professors, click here to follow us and start networking today!

For more information on Networking on LinkedIn check out our latest blog.