What is LinkedIn and why is it useful for students?

LinkedIn is a key global professional networking site and is an invaluable tool for students to network with alumni and recruiters. Employers are also using LinkedIn as a recruitment tool.

LinkedIn is useful for:

  • Developing a professional online profile to complement your CV.
  • Making contacts with people working in your chosen sector.
  • Searching for organisations to target by your location of preference, or industry sector.
  • Researching jobs and different types of job and career paths.
  • Connecting with alumni around the globe for insight and guidance.

Get started using LinkedIn

Step 1:

Use our LinkedIn Academy guide to create a professional profile

Access Guide‌

Step 2:

If you would like feedback on your LinkedIn profile book a LinkedIn Review appointment.

Step 3:

Use our LinkedIn Academy guide to learn how to start connecting with others online

Access Guide‌‌

Start by connecting with people you already know

When you do a search on LinkedIn, it will prioritise the results depending on your degree of connection with that individual (e.g. the closer your connection, the more information you can see on their profile). Thus, the more connections you have, the greater the chance of the results including people to whom you are connected.

  • Connect with classmates – you won’t be students forever and you can tap into each other’s networks.
  • Connect with staff – some academic staff and research students will connect with students, or at the very least suggest groups to join.
  • Connect with work colleagues – especially where relevant to your career interests, but you’d be surprised how many people have connections you would never have imagined! Look for your friends, family, classmates, colleagues and employers from part-time jobs and internships, and contacts from volunteering, extra-curricular activities etc.

Join some LinkedIn groups

The groups you join will signal to future employers the kinds of work, employers or values you have. Joining groups to link to your volunteering interests speaks volumes, as does membership of any professionally based groups associated with the kinds of careers or industries you're interested in. 'Following' companies will also signal your interest in work areas.

  • Some groups have open membership, others you need to request to join – having an up-to-date profile will encourage group admins that you are serious. Find groups that people working in your target careers are members of or search across LinkedIn.
  • Follow companies to find out about news and job opportunities. NB. Organisations who recruit on LinkedIn sometimes screen out applicants who aren’t following their company on LinkedIn!

Use Alumni Search to connect with Manchester Graduates

This tool will allow you to search the profiles of all Manchester students and graduates on LinkedIn. Enter “The University of Manchester” in the top search box and select the profile with the logo.
You can search Alumni profiles using the following criteria:

  • Search the set of Alumni profiles using a keyword.
  • Search for profiles between specific dates (attended or graduated).
  • You can explore where they live, work, what they do, what they studied and what they are skilled in (the last two can be viewed using the arrow icons at the side of the bar charts). You can also select the individual bars to filter results e.g. people living in Manchester.

Useful LinkedIn groups to join

Note: You will need to be logged in to www.LinkedIn.com to be able to access the groups listed here.

  • The University of Manchester Alumni Association group Large and active group of alumni and current students established by a graduate of the University, with sub-groups for 'job and career postings', as well as different sectors and countries.
  • Manchester Business School group LinkedIn group for AMBS students and graduates.
  • International Students & Graduates Network LinkedIn Group For students and graduates to explore opportunities, join and engage with both the Careers Service as well as use the space to network between themselves to gain tips and employability advice. The group is a space where UoM students and graduates can build their professional profile.
  • Greater Manchester Chamber Business networking group for Greater Manchester run by the Chamber of Commerce (useful for making contact with professionals in local businesses).
  • Networking in Manchester Useful group comprised of professionals in the Manchester area who are interested in networking.

As with other social media platforms, scammers also use LinkedIn so be careful and use your judgement when considering a contact or potential opportunity made via LinkedIn.

  • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…
  • Do not part with any money unless you understand exactly what you are getting.
  • Be suspicious of emails asking you for personal information beyond your email address.
  • Be suspicious of emails coming from people you don't know asking you to install software or open an attachment.
  • If in doubt, don’t apply or agree to anything.

For more information about jobs that you should be suspicious of, have a look at Common types of scam jobs.