Chapter 4 – Networking & Finding Mentors
4.10 Building Your Digital Presence
A strong LinkedIn profile helps you stand out and makes it easier for people to connect with you. Start by setting up your profile or making sure the one you already have is current. Include your education, work experience, and skills so visitors get a clear picture of who you are and what you can do.
LinkedIn is more than a place to store your resume. Joining relevant groups, following relevant organizations, and connecting with alumni can help you discover opportunities and expand your network over time.
Quick LinkedIn Wins
You can make a noticeable improvement to your LinkedIn profile in under an hour by doing the following:
- Upload a professional headshot. Remember, you can get a free one at CSU’s Office of Career Development and Exploration. They have a photo booth. It’s easy to use.
- Update your education section to include Cleveland State University and the Levin School of Urban Affairs.
- Write a short, clear headline that includes your interest in public service.
- Add one volunteer experience, internship, or student project.
- Connect with at least five classmates or alumni.
- Comment on or react to a recent post from an alum, faculty member, or professional group.
These small steps help you present yourself as an active, engaged member of the public service community and make it easier for others to see your potential.
On my own LinkedIn, I post about Levin School events, programs, and accomplishments. Over the last year, I have made a point to celebrate my own successes more as well as student and alumni achievements. And I’m developing my voice to say things that matter to me. When I announced my new case study on real estate redevelopment, I also used the post to emphasize the role real estate development should play in the Levin School’s curriculum. Here’s a link to that post.
My posts are professional and help me strengthen relationships within my network. I often include visuals because they attract more impressions and get more reactions. I usually use Canva to create them, but you don’t need get that specific.
If you want, you can post about what we’re learning from guest speakers, site visits, and other events. Thoughtful posts and comments show that you are engaged. Remember that employers often review LinkedIn profiles when screening candidates, so what you post and react to should reflect the professional image you want to project. Avoid extreme political statements or personal content that does not fit the public service brand you are building. Jacob Ott from CSU’s Office of Career Development and Exploration recently emphasized this point.
LinkedIn Is Weird
LinkedIn is distinct from other social media because its primary purpose is all about professional networking and finding job.
Watch this video from the Good Work YouTube channel.
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMfBS4mBfBQ
Duration: 5:47
They point out that a lot of people find LinkedIn weird or cringe because the LinkedIn algorithm tends encourages bragging and expert-sounding content. This creates a performative feel, where people are not presenting their true selves.
The last video critiqued LinkedIn’s bragging tone. I also want to take a moment to talk about the use of AI-generated content, which can be another way to come across as disingenuous. I see it more and more on LinkedIn. I sometimes use AI to copyedit my work or smooth out transitions, but I do not rely on it to generate my core ideas. I want my posts to reflect my own thinking.
AI Slop
I am sharing an episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver about AI slop. You don’t have to watch the whole thing, but I want you to be aware of the concept. While the video focuses more on visuals than written content, the point still applies. Both AI-generated writing and images can feel impersonal or even disorienting. The takeaway is simple: keep your LinkedIn presence authentic.
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWpg1RmzAbc
Duration: 29:04
