LinkedIn Etiquette for College Students

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful social network tools for building professional relationships.  With a little practice it is easy to find job opportunities and connections to companies and industries that you are looking to for employment or internship experience. 

One of the worst mistakes that inexperienced LinkedIn users make is "flyby networking."  Flyby networking is sending an unsolicited message on LinkedIn to someone with who you have never met.  Typically, the message contains a request for a job or internship.  You will no more get results by doing this than you would if you stood in the parking lot of an organization and ran up to everyone you saw asking for a job! 

It is unprofessional and does nothing to build a meaningful connection to the person or with the company that you aspire to work for.  In fact, it can limit your chances as it does little to define your professionalism or ability to communicate. 

Instead, take the time to look for mutual connections that can make introductions for you. If you do not have the luxury of a mutual connection, do not give up!  There are strategies that you can implement that will open dialogue with new connections if implemented properly. 

For example, if you are looking to connect with someone in your alumni network that is working for a company of choice it is fine to reach out without any connectivity.  Your first e-mail should NEVER be a request for employment, nor should it start out with Hi!  Utilize a formal writing style when introducing yourself to someone for the first time.  Take the time to read the contacts profile and integrate information into your introduction. 

Suppose you are looking to meet John Smith, who is the current Vice President of Marketing for Johnson and Johnson.  You share the common bond of attending Bentley University and you notice that you both share membership in the American Marketing Association.  The following e-mail has a much better chance of getting answered than a blind request for a summer job:

Dear John Smith:

Please allow me this opportunity to introduce myself.  Currently, I am a junior at Bentley University majoring in marketing and minoring in international business and Spanish.  In addition, my experiences at Bentley include membership in the American Marketing Association, Class Cabinet, Spanish Club (President), intramural tennis, Special Olympis, Rotaract and completion of the Certified Bentley Leader Program. 

While searching through the alumni network on LinkedIn it was my good fortune to come across your profile.  Your accomplishments and career progression through Pfizer, Bristol Meyers Squibb and Johnson and Johnson are genuinely impressive! 

Might you have some time to conduct a short informational interview  lasting about twenty minutes with me?  Not only would it be an honor to learn more about you, I'd really like to give you an update about the accomplishments of the American Marketing Association chapter at Bentley.  You indicated that you served the chapter as President during your senior year, and you might be interested in our second place finish at nationals this year!

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.  I will be looking forward to your response with a time that will be convenient for you to speak with me.  If you prefer, please feel free to use my personal email address JNorth@gmail.com. 

Go Falcons!

Kindest Regards,

James North

When you speak with John Smith, it will be your turn to impress him by asking thoughtful questions and communicating professionally.  The goal of the conversation will be look for ways to keep the connection moving forward so that when you are looking for employment, John Smith already knows who you are. 

The above e-mail will achieve a much better result than the typical e-mail which looks something like this: 

Dear John, 

Hi!  My name is James North.  I am a junior at Bentley this year.  I know it is really late in the year, but I am really hoping that you might be able to give me a job this summer.  I really need the work because college tuition is so expensive. Thanks!

James North 


Keep in mind the following rules when generating professional e-mail on LinkedIn

• Do not start an e-mail with Hi!
• Following the salutation the proper punctuation is a colon    Dear John Smith:
• Always follow up with a thank you even if you do not get the response you want
• Never ask for a job when blindly contacting someone for the first time
• Take the time to read the persons profile and include information that you read in the e-mail
• Compliment the person!
• Look for commonality
• Limit the use of I
• Briefly highlight your own accomplishments but keep the focus on the other person!
• Be polite
• Proofread and use spellcheck
• Offer something to the person you are asking for help even if it is an update on the school

Create Your Life!

If I could leave my students past and present with one idea to contemplate for their lives it would be to "create your own life!" 

There are so many opportunities out there for young people today; perhaps too many.  Instead of being overwhelmed by choice and in a rush for instant gratification take some time to chart a thoughtful life course for yourself!  What are your goals and dreams?  Where do you aspire to be? 

If you have taken the college pathway, how can you connect your classes, internships, and job experiences to land the job of your dreams upon graduation?  Most college students spend more time and brain power selecting a college than they do on the development of a career path.  Make sure that you pick professors who will challenge you, find mentors on campus and within the alumni network, as well as through the professional community of your college town.  Focus on developing relationships with folks that will allow you to showcase your talents early on. 

While grades are important, the real goal will always be the mastery of skills and knowledge that can be applied to life beyond the university or college setting.  Do not wait until your senior year to join clubs (yes, I said clubs with an s) and to gain experience as a leader.  Use college as a time of personal development and investing in yourself! 

Instead of waiting for any job offer upon graduation use a systematic approach to work towards a position at a company you will enjoy working for beyond graduation.  Be confident in your talents and embrace your interests and passions.  They are a springboard for finding a career that you enjoy instead of the drudgery of heading to the workplace every day to just go through the motions. 

For a multitude of reasons, many students opt to go directly to the workplace, but this does not mean that your are off the hook when it comes to charting your course!  Arrive at work early and stay late.  The single best way to distinguish yourself is to take pride in your work! Become that person who the organization knows will get things done right. 

Look for new opportunities within the company and be happy when your boss asks you to take on new responsibilities.   This is an opportunity for you to shine and deliver your best.