Gillian Gines
BA History, third Year
When my volunteering opportunity for the summer fell through due to the pandemic, I took the initiative to try to improve my employability through online mediums. When I was emailed about the LinkedIn challenge, I thought it would a great way to do so. I was initially inspired to create a LinkedIn profile after attending a LinkedIn workshop in my second year, however the challenge gave me more comprehensive idea on how to make the most of my account through the set tasks.
The recommended videos from Royal Holloway’s careers and employability service provided key advice that helped me to polish my account and was a quick task to complete. Another task I decided to do was to follow companies that appealed to me. This task was very easy to do and helped me gain a greater commercial understanding of the publishing sector.
Companies such Penguin Random House posted helpful videos and articles that explained the different sectors within publishing and gave me a valuable insight into the events and developments that effect the publishing world. The last task I chose to do was completing an informational interview with a Royal Holloway alumnus. I initially found this task difficult as my laptop mic did not work, so I was unable to have a virtual chat. However, through LinkedIn I found and contacted a RHUL alumnus who graduated with the same degree as me (History BA),and worked in academic publishing in Taylor & Francis Group. I emailed him questions about which skills were crucial for making a good impression on potential employers. He gave me valuable advice about the importance of transferrable skills that would be applicable for any company, not just ones relating to publishing. He explained that the ability to learn quickly and having a proactive attitude to working were the traits he looked for when employing a new employee. Overall, completing the LinkedIn challenge tasks were worth doing and simple to complete.
When I actively engaged more with LinkedIn, I was able to gain a better understanding of how to stand out to potential employers and what skills I should work to improve. With LinkedIn I was also able to connect with people and message them about career tips and advice. Even by simply checking my weekly emails about job opportunities, I was regularly updated about possible chances employment, internships or work-experience and was therefore able to apply for opportunities more frequently. Companies’ LinkedIn profiles also provided me with information that allowed me to improve my applications, as I was able to understand the skills that my company of interest prioritises and therefore tailored my CV to include them.
I would advise students who are not currently using LinkedIn is to just do it; it won’t cost you anything except a little time to set up an account. As student life can be stressful, you can take your time fixing up and adding to your account whenever you have the free time. LinkedIn is amazing way to professionally network online and is one of the best social media platforms to be viewed by and get in touch with future employers, so you shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to better your chances of being employed.