LinkedIn Tips for Breaking into the Tech Industry

Have you been looking for ways to break into tech and land your dream job at a tech company? Well, look no further. LinkedIn might be the answer you have been searching for. With over one billion users, LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for people like you who are looking to break into the tech industry. With the right tips and strategies, you will not only build a strong online presence but also stand out from your competitors and increase your chances of getting a tech job. 

Here Are Tips to Help You Out

1. Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile: When your recruiters ask for your LinkedIn page, they want to see you and what you represent through that page. It is your job to create a good first impression, and to do this, you have to optimise your LinkedIn profile.

Why you should consider optimising your LinkedIn profile: Optimising your LinkedIn profile will help you find new opportunities and improve your career. You get to connect and network with people in your industry, which can open doors for your growth and development. Aside from this, when you show your skills, experience and even awards, you tend to look more credible to your recruiters.

How can you optimise your page

• Use a Professional Picture: Use a headshot that is welcoming, approachable and of high quality. You can see an example of that below.

• Use a Compelling Headline that Stands Out: For instance, instead of using just UI/UX designer, you can use “I help create user-friendly and visually appealing designs” (Note that this is just an example). Talk about what you can help business owners or companies do. 

• Customise Your URL: Seeing a long LinkedIn URL with unnecessary numbers can be a put-off sometimes. Create a personified URL to make your profile very easy to share. For example, use https://linkedin.com/in/yourname.

• Write a Detailed Summary: In your summary section, highlight your goals, your experience, the key skills you possess, your current role, your achievements, and the value you can bring to your employer. Let the first one or two sentences grab the reader’s attention enough to continue reading, and make sure you use relevant keywords. 

• Highlight Your Skills and Experience: Include all your relevant skills, work experience, and certifications. Also, add a link to your portfolio or any projects that you have worked on.

• Get a Good Recommendation: A LinkedIn recommendation is like a reference from people you have worked or collaborated with. It proves your credibility and increases your visibility. You can request recommendations from your peers, mentors and people you have worked with. You can also endorse other people’s skills and let them do the same for you. 

2. Connect With Like-Minded People: LinkedIn is a platform to meet and connect with others in your industry. Follow influencers, leaders, recruiters and companies that you look up to. Engage their post by liking and sharing your thoughts in their comment section. In addition to this, you can send personified connection request messages — In this message, you can tell them how you got to know about them, what you admire about them or their works, and why you want to connect. Make it as short as possible, and do not sound generic. Lastly, ensure that you join groups that are in line with your field.

3. Post Regularly: You can start by sharing your journey into the tech industry. Document your learning process, share lessons and thoughts about tech, and talk about people you admire in the field. Also, you can post a project you’re working on and ask for feedback. If you ever feel burnt out and don’t know what to post, consider reposting content from others that resonates with you and sharing your thoughts about it.

4. Upskill: You can learn a new skill on LinkedIn to increase your chances of getting a tech job. LinkedIn Learning offers different courses, and you can enrol, learn, and earn a certificate. 

5. Take Advantage of LinkedIn Job Search Features: You can start by letting recruiters know you are open to work. To do this, you have to turn on the “Open to Work” badge. You can also use job alerts and filters to find entry-level roles and internships in tech. Lastly, try to customise your profile and resume to match the job description of each role.

The key to using LinkedIn to break into the tech industry is staying consistent, showing up every day, and doing as little as engaging with other content or group conversations. By regularly updating your profile, posting content, and staying active on LinkedIn, you will increase your visibility and stay at the top of your recruiters’ minds.