Montgomery College conducted a LinkedIn workshop at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus on Nov. 14.
Led by presenter and student employment specialist Justin R. Brown, the event aimed to enhance students’ LinkedIn profiles and taught them how to use the platform’s features, serving as a hands-on guide to navigating LinkedIn as a networking and career-building tool. Brown, who has experience curating resumes and profiles for private clients, explained the importance of treating LinkedIn profiles differently from résumés.
“The goal of the workshop was essentially to help students understand how to navigate and network using the LinkedIn platform,” he said.
During the workshop, Brown offered tips on crafting effective LinkedIn profiles, using professional headshots, custom URLs, and listing main goals in your bio. He recommended that students use nouns rather than adjectives when describing themselves.
He emphasized how interacting with others’ posts can boost networking potential and increase visibility on the platform.
“Increased visibility equals increased opportunity,” he said, emphasizing the importance of staying active on LinkedIn. Brown encouraged students to post about professional activities, such as completing courses or earning certifications, to show growth and commitment.
He also walked attendees through the main LinkedIn features, such as the search bar for finding jobs and connections, the “My Network” section for managing invitations, and the “Jobs” section for tracking applications. He also emphasized keeping a complete profile by including skills, endorsements, and recommendations to display capabilities and credibility.
The workshop equipped attendees with tools to enhance their job searches by teaching students how to create engaging profiles and actively take part on LinkedIn.
“LinkedIn is quite different from other social media and just understanding how powerful of a tool it can be both for information gathering and ultimately for your job search,” Brown said.
By highlighting the platform’s potential for career growth and showcasing skills, the workshop sought to give students an edge in their job search, blending relatability and professionalism.
For more information about career resources, LinkedIn support, and résumé building, contact [email protected] or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/student-employment-services.
