Introduction
Relocating overseas for higher education presents students with opportunities for academic and cultural knowledge, but it also presents students with challenges, one of which is forming a professional network in a new country. These challenges can be easily mitigated through the use of LinkedIn.
As the largest professional networking site in the world, LinkedIn is more than just an online resume, it is a tool that can help students connect with peers, professors, alumni, future employers, and more. To make the most of their global career ambitions, international students who use LinkedIn as a study skill will not only benefit from it but also need to use it.
Why LinkedIn Matters for International Students
Going abroad opens the door to quality education, but LinkedIn opens the door to opportunities. Here are some reasons that every international student should use LinkedIn:
- Global Reach: With over 900 million users, LinkedIn connects you with professionals from every industry, country, and university in the world.
- Alumni Connections: It is also one of the easiest ways to find and reach out to alumni from your university – individuals who have walked the same path and may provide guidance or even job recommendations.
- Professional Branding: Unlike your social media accounts, LinkedIn allows you to portray your professional brand. You can think of it as a digital portfolio, which is visible 24/7 to potential employers.
- Job and Internship Opportunities: Many companies, from startups to global corporations, post internships and entry-level positions on LinkedIn either publicly or by networking and prefer applicants hired through the platform
Setting Up a Strong LinkedIn Profile
Your profile needs to make an excellent first impression before you start networking. Here’s how to make sure it is set up for success:
- Use a Professional Profile Picture: The ideal photo should be looking at the camera, clear face, approachable, and appropriate. Avoid selfies- this is your first professional impression.
- Custom Banner: Use a non-crowded banner that is related to your field. For example, engineers could use a technology-themed background, or a creative could use a shot from their portfolio.
- Create a Clear Headline: Rather than saying, “Student at XYZ University” on your profile, explain what you study, your enthusiasm components for your studies, and any interests related to your studies. An example of a good headline would be “Computer Science Student | Enthusiastic about Artificial Intelligence & Data Science | Looking for Internship Opportunities.”
- Create Summary: The Summary/”About” section is where you get to tell your story; why choose to study abroad, what are your goals, why are you a remarkable human being, to whom would you like to work, etc.
- List Your education, Skills & Projects: In this section, attach your University, Coursework, and list your projects you’ve completed. If you’re able to pull on any internships you have done and mention any certifications (Coursera, Udemy, etc.) that you’ve completed, list those here as well!
- Add Keywords: Recruiters search by keywords, add words that are relevant to your study, for example, Python, Graphic Design, Marketing Analytics.
Growing Your Network Strategically
Once your profile is updated, it’s time to branch out. Even though reaching out to connections is easy to accomplish, don’t just send out requests without purpose; instead, be purposeful and strategic about it.
- Go with People You Know First
The first people to connect with should be:
- Classmates or professors
- The members from your orientation group
- Friends from your home country studying abroad
These are connections that should be warm and who are more likely to connect with you and engage with you.
- Connecting with Alumni
Use the university’s LinkedIn page and filter to alumni. Search by course, or location, or job title; when you find who you want, send them a quick and respectful message like:
“Hi [Name] I’m currently study [Course] at [University]; I noticed you work at [Company] and I’d love to connect and perhaps learn from your journey!”
- Keep Up with Industry Thought Leaders and Influencers
Stay in tune with what’s happening in your industry by following thought leaders and influencers in your field. Their posts will educate you and give you ideas about content you could post on your profile.
- Connect with Companies and Recruiters
Follow the companies where you would like to work. Like, comment, and share their posts. It will boost your visibility when they see you are engaging with their content, and will keep you updated on job openings they post.
- Custom: Make Your Connection Requests
“The generic ‘I’d like to connect” is uninspiring. Take a moment to add a brief message explaining why you’d like to connect. This will increase the acceptance rate of your requests and give them a more professional tone.
For example;
“Hi [Name], I’m a Master’s Student in [Field], and I found your profile through [University/Company/Group]. I’m impressed by your work in [Industry] and I would like to connect.”
Engaging and Staying Active
Having a well-constructed profile and an extensive network is helpful, but if you are not active, you are just invisible. Being active on LinkedIn not only helps keep you engaged, but allows people to be aware of you and your work. By being active on LinkedIn, you are maintaining relevance, increasing credibility, and organically attracting some opportunities.
- Post Updates and Content
Consider posting regularly about:- Academic projects or achievements
- Internships, experiences, and/or lessons learnt
- News articles about the industry and your own twist or summary
- Events, webinars, or workshops you attend
If you can even get one thoughtful post up every 2–3 weeks, at the very least, you will remain on people’s radars.
- Comment and Interact
Don’t simply scroll and like – engage!- Congratulate your connections for their accomplishments
- Share your perspectives in the comments
- Thank someone for sharing great information
These small interactions lead to conversations, and conversations lead to connections.
- Use LinkedIn Stories and Newsletters
If available in your area, use LinkedIn Stories or publish LinkedIn Articles to publish your long-form content. For example, “My Journey as an International Student in the UK” can have meaning for others and build your brand. - Join Student and Industry Groups
There are thousands of LinkedIn groups for international students, universities, and industries. Join groups of relevance to: - Ask questions
- Engage in discussions
- Connect with peers of similar interests
Get to know more about LinkedIn from Wikipedia
Using LinkedIn for Job and Internship Search
LinkedIn is more than a platform for networking – it is one of the best ways to search for jobs, especially if you’re an international student interested in building a global career. Here’s how to effectively use LinkedIn:
- Configure Job Alerts
LinkedIn has a job search feature you can use to find jobs based on:- Your preferred location (city/country)
- What you want to do (job title or skill)
- Remote or hybrid work
After configuring your search parameters, LinkedIn will provide you with alerts, daily or weekly, based on your preferences.
Activate the “Open to Work” Badge
This feature alerts recruiters as you are actively seeking job opportunities. You also control whether or not all LinkedIn members can view your status or just recruiters.
Bonus Tip: write a short message in your profile’s “Open to Work” section referencing what roles you are seeking, as well as your visa/relocation flexibility.
Get in Touch with Hiring Managers
If you find a job advertisement, don’t just send your application and think nothing else. Try to find the hiring manager or team member and send a nice little note. It shows initiative.
Example: “Hi [Name], I found the [Role] opening at [Company]. I just applied and I’m really excited. I would love to learn more about the team and how I can contribute.”
Apply with a Tailored Profile
Make sure your headline, summary and experience section reflect the exact skills in the description. Recruiters use filters often so the more relevant keywords the better.
Use the “Easy Apply” Option Thoughtfully
LinkedIn has many roles that you can apply to with one click. It’s always best to read the job description then apply, and clearly, if possible, include a tailor-made resume and cover letter.
Tips to Make the Most of LinkedIn as a Student
Using LinkedIn the right way can be a treasure trove of opportunity. However, as a student still feeling your way through the professional continuum, there are some pitfalls to avoid when engaging on the platform. Here are some actionable recommendations:
Be Consistent
You don’t have to post every day; however at a minimum you need to be somewhat active at least once or twice a month. Staying consistent allows you to build visibility in the platform and your profile remains “alive” in the algorithm.
Don’t be Spammy
Numerous times I have seen students connect with hundreds of people all at once. I also see many students sending the same message to all first connections. Please don’t beg for jobs, this is unprofessional and really turns off your reader.
Ask for Recommendations
Getting a recommendation from a professor, an internship supervisor, or even a classmate can lend credibility to your profile. After you have completed a project or internship, respectfully request it.
Maintain Your Profile
Whenever you finish a new course, certification, internship or any other certification or achievement, update your profile right away as well it will show others that you are building skills and keeping yourself relevant.
Link to Other Work
If you’ve created a portfolio, participated in a blog, or simply posted content on GitHub or Behance, link that! Share your progress and work in addition to words.
Research Before You Message
I suggest you take a look at someone’s profile before sending them a message. That way, you’ll have some background knowledge on them before you reach out. If you can personalize your message, mentioning something specific in their profile, it will make a big difference.
How Orient Spectra Can Help
At Orient Spectra, we understand that studying abroad isn’t just about getting into a good university—it’s about building a successful future. And platforms like LinkedIn are key to making that future a reality.
Here’s how we support our students beyond just admissions:
Career Counseling with LinkedIn Focus
Our expert counselors guide students on how to build a professional presence online. From optimizing your profile to identifying the right connections, we help you get LinkedIn-ready.
Resume & Profile Reviews
Not sure if your LinkedIn or resume looks right? We review both to make sure your personal brand is aligned with global expectations—helping you stand out to international employers.
Alumni Connections & Mentoring
Through our vast network of successful students and global university tie-ups, we help you connect with alumni and professionals in your target industry.
Workshops & Webinars
We regularly host training sessions on LinkedIn networking, job search strategies, and career-building for international students, giving you the edge in today’s competitive market.
At Orient Spectra, we’re with you at every step—from your first university application to your first LinkedIn connection that lands you a job abroad.
Conclusion
LinkedIn is more than just a networking site; it’s also your brand, a diary of your professional journey, and it’s a site where you can launch your career. To international students, it provides opportunities that reach beyond the classroom.
Get started early, keep consistent, and don’t be afraid to pursue connections. If you are looking for internships, mentorships or full-time jobs, the right connection could change your future.
And do not forget—you are not on this journey alone! With training provided by experts at Orient Spectra, you will not just study abroad but thrive abroad
