The Grad Guide to LinkedIn
When you’re applying for graduate roles in sales or executive search, LinkedIn is no longer optional. It’s where hiring managers go first to look you up after your CV lands in their inbox – and if your profile is empty or awkward, they’ll move on to the next candidate. The good news? You don’t need years of experience or a huge network to stand out. You just need to show the right things, in the right way.
Here’s how grads can use LinkedIn to actually get hired, without sounding cringe or trying too hard.
Your headline matters more than your degree
Most grads default to “University of Leeds graduate” or “Business Management student” as their headline. That tells employers nothing. Instead, use this space to show ambition and direction. Something like:
- “Aspiring SDR | Looking to start my career in tech sales”
- “Graduate interested in Executive Search & Commercial Recruitment”
- “Driven, target-focused graduate | Actively seeking B2B sales roles in London”
It’s direct, and it works.
Write a summary that sounds like a real person
Your About section doesn’t need to be a personal statement. Keep it simple, honest, and focused on what you want. Mention any relevant part-time work, your degree, and what you’re aiming for.
Example:
“I’ve recently graduated with a 2:1 in History from the University of Nottingham. I’m now looking to start a career in B2B sales or recruitment. I’ve always enjoyed speaking to new people, hitting goals, and learning fast. I’ve worked in hospitality throughout uni, which taught me a lot about resilience and communication under pressure.”
That shows potential, drive, and a bit of personality which is all most managers want at this stage.
Add achievements to your experience section
Even if your past jobs weren’t in the sector, you can still frame them commercially. Did you hit weekly KPIs in retail? Were you promoted at your part-time job? Did you lead a team at uni? Use bullet points to highlight anything measurable or impressive.
- “Promoted to shift leader within 4 months”
- “Managed bookings and hit daily targets during peak service hours”
- “Volunteered as fundraising chair and raised £2,500 in 3 weeks”
It’s not about the job title, it’s about what you did.
Don’t post every day. But do post something
One or two posts on your profile can give a big lift. Try sharing a post about applying for roles, what you’re looking for, or what you’ve learned from the job hunt. You don’t need 50 likes. You just need the right person to see it.
Example:
“I’m currently looking to break into tech sales or recruitment in London. I’m focused, target-driven, and ready to learn fast. If you’re hiring grads, or know someone who is, feel free to connect!”
It takes 5 minutes and it’s way more effective than sending out 100 cold CVs.
Connect with people (and write a short message)
Reach out to recruiters, SDR managers, and people working in the roles you want. But don’t just hit ‘connect’, add a quick message. It could be as simple as:
“Hi [Name], I’m a recent grad looking to get into sales and really liked your post on [topic]. I’d love to connect!”
This kind of message shows effort, interest, and initiative – the same traits they’re looking for in new hires.
Final thoughts
LinkedIn is basically your online first impression. You don’t need to pretend you’re more experienced than you are. You just need to show that you’re motivated, coachable, and ready to work. If you can do that in your headline, summary, and a couple of posts, you’re already ahead of most grads.
Want honest feedback on your LinkedIn profile? Drop us a message. We’re happy to help.