Build My Network & Brand (LinkedIn + more)

Start with Who You Know: Your classmates, roommates, friends, and family are great starting points. 

Attend Handshake Employer Events: Sign up for online workshops and info sessions hosted virtually by hundreds of employers nationwide on Handshake.

Seek Mentors and Informational Interviews: Consider reaching out for informational interviews or joining mentorship programs to deepen relationships. 

Leverage University Alumni Networks: Proactively engage with your university’s alumni network. Alumni share common experiences and interests, making them valuable mentors who can introduce you to people and companies. The University of Montana’s Griz Career Network (GCN), for instance, specifically connects students and alumni for mentoring, skill development, and career advice. This network is powerful because it offers “warm introductions” and a built-in supportive community. Prioritize connecting with alumni early in your career development. 

Attend Career Services Events: Go to employer information sessions, career panels, networking events, and career fairs organized by ELCS and other campus departments to connect directly with potential employers and gain insights.  Before a fair, research attending companies and practice your “elevator pitch” (a short, compelling introduction of yourself). Afterward, follow up by connecting on LinkedIn and sending thank-you messages. 

Bridging Online to Offline: The digital world can be a “digital bridge” from online to offline networking. Find professionals in your fields of interest on LinkedIn or other professional platforms. Invite them to connect and have a phone or Zoom call, or even an in-person coffee chat. See Career Conversations Guide for more.

Personalized Outreach and Consistent Follow-up: When reaching out to new contacts, especially on LinkedIn, personalize your message. Consistency in follow-up is vital for turning initial conversations into ongoing relationships. Reference previous conversations, express gratitude, and periodically share interesting articles or brief updates on your career search to stay engaged. 

Participate in Online Communities: Actively seek out and join virtual communities and forums related to your professional interests, like specialized Facebook or Reddit groups. Platforms like Quora allow you to showcase your knowledge and expand your network. Even less formal platforms like Twitter can be used effectively for building your personal brand and connecting with industry thought leaders. Tumblr can be used for creative portfolios, and Meetup helps organize real-life events. 

• Know Your Goals: Define your career objectives early to prepare for networking opportunities. 
• Work on Your Pitch: Develop a concise summary of your professional background, career goals, and unique strengths. 
• Dress Professionally: Presenting yourself well sets a positive mindset and creates a strong first impression. 
• Prepare Materials: Have business cards and resumes ready for networking events to show your seriousness. 
• Initiate Conversations: Take the lead in introducing yourself, engaging in dialogue, and asking questions. 
• Follow Up Consistently: Turn initial conversations into ongoing relationships by referencing shared information and expressing thanks. 
• Effective Communication: Clearly articulate your thoughts and actively listen to others. 
• Build Rapport: Establish a connection based on mutual understanding and trust. 
• Networking Etiquette: Understand and practice appropriate professional conduct. 
• Confidence: Project self-assurance in your interactions and presentations. 
• Adaptability: Adjust your communication and approach based on different networking contexts and individuals. 
• Problem-Solving: Show your ability to identify issues and propose solutions, even in casual conversations. 
• Cultural Awareness: Understand and respect diverse cultural norms. 
• Personal Branding: Cultivate and consistently present your unique professional identity. 

Self-Reflection: Start by thinking about your core values, passions, and what truly makes you different. Identify your unique skills, inherent strengths, and the specific problems you can solve for your target audience. 

Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Clearly explain what makes you distinct and compelling. Why should others engage with you over anyone else? Focusing on a specific niche can set you apart. 

Understand Your Audience: Identify who you want to reach (e.g., their profession, interests, challenges) and where they primarily engage online. 

Craft Your Brand Story: Develop an authentic and compelling narrative. Share insights into your professional journey, challenges you’ve overcome, and your core mission and values. Personal experiences, case studies, and lessons learned make your story relatable and inspiring. 

Consistency and strategic content sharing are vital for a strong personal brand. 

Consistency Across Platforms: Use the same professional photo, a clear and consistent bio, and a uniform color scheme and tone of voice across all your social media accounts and online profiles. This helps create a cohesive and recognizable brand identity. 

Strategic Platform Selection: Choose online platforms that align best with your industry, goals, and target audience. For example, LinkedIn for professional networking, YouTube or podcasts for in-depth content, and Instagram or TikTok for visual storytelling. 

• Share Expertise: Actively share informative content, insightful case studies, and actionable observations. This positions you as a trusted authority in your field. 
• Diverse Formats: Use various content formats like blog articles for detailed insights, videos for direct communication or tutorials, and podcasts for engaging discussions to reach different audience segments. 
• Engage Your Audience: Foster interaction and build a loyal following by actively engaging with your audience through Q&A sessions, webinars, or live discussions. 
• Online Reputation Management: Regularly monitor your digital presence, respond professionally to comments and reviews, and proactively address any negative feedback. This allows you to control your narrative and protect your reputation. 
• Build Credibility: Seek and feature positive testimonials and endorsements on your website or LinkedIn profile. Consider writing guest articles for industry websites or speaking at relevant events to further enhance your credibility and reach. 
• Continuous Learning: Stay relevant and expand your expertise by taking online courses, attending workshops, and keeping up with the latest industry trends. 

• Professional Photo: Get a recent, high-quality headshot. It’s paramount for a strong first impression. The Office of Experiential Learning and Career Success offers free headshots with the Iris photobooth at Aber Hall 2^nd floor, M-F 9-4:30, no reservations needed. 
• Informative Headline: Don’t just say “student.” Use this valuable space to indicate your  field of study, career goals, desired job roles, and relevant skills.  
• Compelling Summary: Expand on your headline by sharing your aspirations, passions related to your major, and how your extracurricular activities connect to transferable skills. This section is about articulating the distinct value you can contribute—what can you help with? 
• Experience, Coursework, & Extracurricular Activities: List your jobs, internships, academic courses, and projects. Describe your roles, responsibilities, and key accomplishments concisely. Include any leadership positions, volunteer work, and language proficiencies relevant to your career goals. 
• Skills and Endorsements: List your key skills, and then ask your connections (professors, classmates, supervisors) to endorse them. This boosts your credibility. 
• Recommendations: Get personal testimonials from professors, mentors, or managers. These add substantial value to your profile. 
• LinkedIn as a Storytelling Platform: Think of your LinkedIn profile as more than just a list of qualifications. It’s a place to craft a compelling narrative of your growth, potential, and unique contributions.  

*Note: LinkedIn uses all profile content to train AI. You can opt out by going to your Settings, Data Privacy. 

• Connect Strategically: Start with people you know (e.g. classmates, roommates, friends, and family), they can introduce you to others. Then reach out to professors, academic advisors, alumni, and professionals you meet at events. When sending a connection request, personalize the message by stating why you want to connect, rather than just asking for a job. Look up professionals doing the work you’re curious about, and ask to chat. 
• Follow Industry Leaders and Organizations you’re interested in: Stay informed on trends in your field by following thought leaders and organizations doing the work you care about. Actively engage with their content through thoughtful comments. 
• Join Relevant Groups: Participate in LinkedIn groups related to your university (like alumni groups) or professional organizations in your desired industry. Respond to posts, ask questions, and share relevant content. 
• Stay Active: Regularly post meaningful career updates, share insightful articles, or even create original content, using relevant hashtags. This helps you maintain visibility within your network. Remember to consistently update your profile with new experiences or promotions. 
• Offer Value: Successful networking isn’t just about what you can get. It’s a two-way street. Individuals who consistently offer value, by sharing relevant articles or providing support, are more likely to cultivate strong, lasting relationships. 

• Essential Info: A clear bio, a high-quality professional headshot, and easily accessible contact information. 
• Your Best Work: Feature your top projects or papers that demonstrate your skills, and try to lead with the most relevant ones to opportunities you want. This could include research statements, writing samples, project examples (academic, internships, volunteer), videos, images, or data. 
• Project Descriptions and Reflections: For each project, briefly explain its context, goals, challenges, solutions, and what you learned. This helps demonstrate your thought process and problem-solving skills. 
• Skills Section: List your key skills and relevant technologies. You can even add visual indicators of your proficiency. 
• Testimonials/Endorsements: Positive feedback from clients, colleagues, or mentors adds a lot of credibility. 
• Growth and Development: Including earlier projects (clearly marked) can effectively show your learning journey and continuous growth over time. 

• Know Your Audience: Before you start, think about who you want to impress and what message you want to send. This will guide your content and design choices, making your portfolio highly effective for specific opportunities. 
• Simplicity and Consistency: Keep your design clean and visually appealing to avoid distractions. Use consistent formatting, fonts, colors, and layouts across all pages for a cohesive brand identity. 
• Easy Navigation: Make it simple to find information, with essential details just a few clicks away. Use keywords and links to related resources to improve searchability. 
• Mobile-Friendly: Make sure your portfolio looks good and works well on phones and tablets, as many people will view it on the go. 
• Living Document: Your portfolio isn’t a one-and-done project. Treat it as a dynamic resource that needs regular review, editing, and updates to show your latest achievements and skills. 
• Professionalism: Always double-check for any grammatical or spelling errors. 
• Get Feedback: Ask trusted mentors, friends, or family for their opinions on both your content and design. 
• Promote It: Include your portfolio’s URL on your resume, cover letters, email signature, LinkedIn profile, and any networking cards you might have.