How you present yourself online matters. What employers find about you shapes their perception of you, often before you even meet. Ensuring that what you put out reflects the values you want to be hired for can make the difference between an offer and a rejection.
As many as 70% of employers check out candidates’ social media profiles during hiring.
LinkedIn has become a place recruiters, hiring managers, and others actively look for candidates. This professional network gives you access to jobs, career advice, and genuine connections with others in your field.
LinkedIn is the top platform recruiters use to source and vet candidates. A complete profile with strong positioning can set you apart during the search.
Building a career without a LinkedIn is possible, but if you choose to build one, what you post matters. Employers often evaluate candidates based on the topics they share. If you put out negative content into the world (like bad mouthing a prior employer), it might influence how employers consider your candidacy.
What to do:
1. Create a complete profile with a professional photo
2. Write a compelling headline and summary
3. List your experience, skills, and accomplishments
4. Connect with alumni through the Northeastern Alumni Group
5. Keep your profile updated as you gain experience
The foundation of effective job searching is connections. Start small and grow intentionally.
Add connections strategically. Invite past and current co-workers, classmates, friends, and family to connect. When you send invitations, always include the person’s name, a personal message, and a thank you. The Muse has helpful tips on customizing invitations that actually get accepted.
Join industry groups. You can join up to 100 groups on LinkedIn. Use the top search bar and select “Groups” from the menu, then search for keywords related to your interests. Groups are where you can message people in your field and stay updated on industry conversations.
Networking leads to jobs. Up to 70% of positions are filled through networking, yet most students rely on applying through job search boards only. LinkedIn makes it possible to reach people directly to build relationships.
Ask for introductions. If you want to reach someone at a company but don’t know them directly, find a mutual connection (a 1st level connection who knows them) and ask for an introduction. Visit the target person’s profile, select “Share profile,” and send a message to your mutual connection explaining why you’d like to be introduced. Keep your message short and professional. Alternatively, email the mutual connection directly—not everyone checks LinkedIn messages.
Search for alumni. Northeastern has a well-established alumni network ready to help. Go to the LinkedIn Northeastern University page and select the “Alumni” tab. Filter by company, location, title, skills, field of study, or how you’re connected. Use the same introduction method above to reach out.
Explore target company pages. Company pages show current and former employees, open positions, and news. Follow companies you’re interested in, then reach out to employees there for informational interviews or to learn more about the role.
- Create or update your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, compelling headline, and complete “About” section.
- Connect with classmates, alumni, and professionals in your target field.
- Join relevant groups – Look for industry-specific groups.
- Engage thoughtfully in your network’s posts and stay active on the platform.
- Get feedback on your profile – Visit the Career Studio for a review, or attend a workshop on LinkedIn strategy.
Beyond LinkedIn: Choose What Fits You
You don’t need every platform. Pick 1-2 that align with your industry and strengths.
Blogs help you build an online presence and show off your writing.
- Best for: Sharing industry insights, demonstrating expertise, storytelling
Vlogs (video blogs) are increasingly popular—69% of audiences prefer video when available.
- Best for: Showing personality, tutorials, thought leadership
Especially important in creative fields, portfolios let you showcase your actual work in a visual, organized way.
Do’s:
- Use clean, intuitive templates (Weebly, Wix, Behance, Carbonmade)
- Focus on your work, not flashy design
- Keep it mobile-friendly and fast-loading
Don’ts:
- Don’t build from scratch unless you’re a web developer
- Don’t distract viewers with poor design—they’re here to see your work, not your site’s aesthetic
Industry-specific options:
- Designers/photographers/fashion – Behance, Carbonmade
- Developers – GitHub
- Accountants, financial analysts – LinkedIn profile usually suffices
Step 1: Choose your platforms
- LinkedIn (standard)
- One additional platform that fits your field (blog, portfolio, or vlog)
Step 2: Keep it professional
- Use a clear, professional photo
- Write in a tone appropriate to your industry
- Stay consistent across platforms
Step 3: Show your expertise
- Share articles and insights in your field
- Post your own content thoughtfully
- Engage meaningfully (comment on posts, participate in discussions)
Step 4: Stay active
- Follow your target companies and job boards
- Comment when appropriate—thoughtful contributions get noticed
- Outdated or unprofessional photos
- Negative comments about employers or industries
- Inconsistent information across platforms
- Neglected profiles (an inactive LinkedIn looks worse than no LinkedIn)
- Update or create your LinkedIn profile this week
- Have a professional photo taken (even a smartphone photo works if it’s clear and professional)
- Choose one additional platform that fits your field
- Set a reminder to post or engage monthly to stay active
- Follow 5 target companies on social media
- Get feedback on your profiles from Career Development
How We Can Help
Drop in or set up an appointment with a Career Counselor to:
- Use LinkedIn to research companies and reach out to people inside them
- Building a LinkedIn profile that highlights your skills and experience
- Choosing the right platforms for your industry
- Developing a content strategy that positions you professionally
- Cleaning up past social media posts that might undermine your candidacy
- Creating an online portfolio or blog that showcases your work
Questions?
Reach out to Career Development at huskycareers@northeastern.edu or visit the Career Studio for additional guidance.
