Leveraging LinkedIn’s New Features for Student Job Searches

College career coaches know that LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful tools for students entering the workforce.

While many undergraduates create a profile, too few truly harness LinkedIn’s potential. Even fewer keep pace with the platform’s constant updates. That’s where career coaches come in. By introducing students to the newest features and guiding them on how to use these tools strategically, you can help them maximize their professional visibility and connect with opportunities that fit their goals.

Below are five actionable ways career coaches can integrate LinkedIn’s latest offerings into student career coaching.

1. Encourage Use of the “Open to Internships” Feature

LinkedIn’s green “#OpenToWork” photo frame is no longer just for recent graduates. It can be tailored for internships, part-time jobs, or career changes. Students who activate it can specify job titles, industries, and preferred locations.

For those worried about appearing “desperate,” advise them to skip the public-facing banner and instead select the “recruiters only” option. This keeps their intentions discreet while still signaling availability to employers. During coaching sessions, practice how they should update their preferences when their goals change (for example, moving from internships to full-time roles).

2. Teach Students to Add LinkedIn's Verified Badges

LinkedIn now allows users to complete short quizzes in technical areas (Excel, Python, Adobe tools) and display a verified skills badge on their profile if they pass. For students, especially those with limited work experience, these badges provide proof of competency and can make them stand out in applicant searches.

Consider creating a workshop where students take one or two relevant assessments on the spot. Tie this to your broader coaching by reminding them to only showcase badges that align with their career goals. A student pursuing marketing, for example, might highlight their certification in Google Analytics but skip one in AutoCAD.

3. Highlight the “Career Explorer” and Job Insights Tools

Students often struggle to connect their majors with possible job titles. LinkedIn’s Career Explorer tool solves that by showing roles aligned with their skills and revealing common career transitions. Pairing this with the Job Insights section, which highlights skills employers seek for specific roles, can give students a roadmap for their professional development.

As a coach, you can encourage students to run searches for jobs they’re curious about and identify gaps in their skillset. For example, a psychology major exploring human resources roles may notice “HRIS systems” as a recurring skill requirement. That insight can spark a plan to pursue training before graduation. (Related Reading: Helping College Students Stack Short-Term Certificates)

4. Showcase the Value of Video and Multimedia Features

LinkedIn now enables users to add short video clips to introductions, record name pronunciations, and upload multimedia like project portfolios or design samples. For students with fewer internships under their belt, this is an opportunity to let their personality and creativity shine.

Guide students through simple ways to integrate multimedia:

• Recording a 30-second introduction explaining who they are and what excites them.

• Uploading a PDF of a research poster, design project, or class presentation.

• Sharing a link to a short video project or online portfolio.

Remind them to keep the tone professional but authentic. It’s about demonstrating initiative and showcasing skills in action.

5. Train Students to Engage, Not Just Post

Many students treat LinkedIn as a digital resume and stop there. The reality is that the algorithm favors engagement like commenting, posting, and sharing insights. Encourage students to start small: liking industry-related posts, leaving thoughtful comments, and sharing an article once a month.

You can model this by setting up a student challenge. For example, a “7-Day LinkedIn Engagement Sprint” where each day students complete one task: connect with an alum, comment on a classmate’s internship update, or follow a company they admire. These micro-actions build comfort and visibility over time. (Related Reading: The Silent Dropout Risk That's Hard to Spot)

Bringing It All Together

As a career coach, your job is not just to inform students about LinkedIn. It’s to help them use it strategically, consistently, and with confidence. By introducing them to features like skills badges, Career Explorer, multimedia tools, and engagement strategies, you equip them to move from passive job seekers to active career builders. Are you a certified college career coach yet? Get one today.