Contrary to popular belief, LinkedIn does not have to be scary or intimidating. LinkedIn is essentially the business-focused, professional version of Instagram. People post job opportunities, noteworthy events in their professional lives and job updates.

It seems scary to post an update about your professional life for potential employers to view. Humanizing the entire process is extremely helpful when setting up your profile and sharing your first update.

When I first heard LinkedIn, I had no idea what it meant or what it was. I was a sophomore in a professional document writing class and had just switched my major from biology to business with a writing minor. I remember setting up my account, and words unspoken in my past major were thrown at me: resume, headshot, extracurricular activities. I mean, I had heard of those words before, but I was unsure of the expectations for me to conform to as a new business professional. 

Luckily, this class helped me create a resume, but as for a headshot, I was out of luck and had to resort to my out-of-date senior photos from high school.

For a LinkedIn beginner, it is crucial to use the best professional photo of you that you have. Look for a solid background, adequate lighting, and well-framed composition. It should look like you paid someone to take these photos, just as you would have done for your yearbook pictures in previous years.

If you only have Instagram photoshoot pictures, as I did at the time, there are fantastic opportunities on Grand Valley State University’s campus to have your professional headshot taken. One possibility is attending the Grand Valley Public Relations Student Society of Americas (GVPRSSA) fundraiser. This event is on Sept. 29, from 12 to 2 p.m. Follow @gv_prssa on Instagram for more details. Headshots will only be $5 each, so this event is an incredible opportunity to get a great photo and ensure that it is affordable to do so.

Secondly, my most significant LinkedIn tip is to send a note when connecting with others. I know it says optional, and I know it is easier to click request without adding anything extra. But, from my experience, I have learned that you should always add a note because it makes you stand out. Not only will you stand out from competitors, but it is also a way to introduce yourself and express why you want to connect with the individual. An example of my staple message is, “Hello! I am Maddie, a junior studying Advertising and Public Relations. I would love to connect with you to chat about (insert their professional career).I look forward to connecting and hearing from you!” I change my message to personalize it for every professional I connect with, but for the most part, I stick to this simple message. It takes five minutes to type– if that, and it helps you put your best foot forward when expanding your network.

The last LinkedIn tip I have to make the process less intimidating: humanize LinkedIn. Staring at hundreds of CEOs, COOs, and bosses can be overwhelming. Though, if you remember that at the end of the day, everyone is just a human being behind a screen like you, it helps a lot. Everyone is looking to assist the average college student in reaching their full professional potential, so use that to your advantage. Never hesitate to reach out to someone. If you like a brand, connect with some employees; if you love a company’s mission, send a request to the CEO. The sky is the limit, honestly, when it comes to LinkedIn. You never know what connection could turn into a professional career.

As intimidating as it may sound, just be yourself and be ambitious because, as my advisor says, you can never have too many connections.