One of the best ways to further your career is to build professional relationships – or network. According to a study from 2022, 42% of people found a job through networking or referrals. Though networking often means attending career fairs and community events, it has expanded online. LinkedIn is a great place to not only connect with new people but also maintain existing connections.

If you’re going to use LinkedIn to build your network, it’s crucial that your profile is complete and eye-catching. Include a professional headshot and a background photo that aligns with your industry, interests, or personal brand. Be sure your experiences and education are thorough and up to date, and include anything else that is relevant to your career: publications, projects, a link to your portfolio, skills, etc.

Then, perhaps most importantly, you need a compelling headline and summary. Your headline should briefly explain what you do, and your summary expands on it. Similar to how you would present an “elevator pitch” at a networking event, you want your summary to be memorable. An elevator pitch introduces who you are, what you do, and your skills, goals, and interests, all while expressing your personality.

As a final note on your profile, be sure to keep it updated and proofread thoroughly for any spelling or grammar errors. Just like your resume, how you present yourself online can either make or break a first impression.

When you post on LinkedIn, offer your own well-informed industry insights, as well as professional achievements. And, follow companies and topics in your field to continue learning and growing.

While it’s easy to connect with just about anyone on LinkedIn, it’s important to be intentional. Social media can be deceiving – you may think you know a person because you follow each other, but you never actually interact. The good thing is: LinkedIn offers ways to go beyond just the “connect” button. When you do find someone you would like to add to your network, be sure to add a quick note introducing yourself (or re-introducing yourself if you’ve met them before) and a brief explanation of why you’d like to connect. Maybe you’re inspired by their work, you attended the same school, you have similar interests, or you met at a conference. If you’re still unsure of what to say, here are a few templates to get started.

In addition to messaging, interact with your connections’ posts. Celebrate when they’re promoted and offer your thoughts when they post a relevant article.

Don’t forget – you’re not the only one seeking connections to gain new insights and opportunities. Look out for opportunities to give your connections a leg up. When someone asks for advice, give your best shot or refer them to someone who knows more. If someone in your network is looking for a new job, connect them with someone you know is hiring.

Finally, though LinkedIn makes it easy to create a digital network, it’s still important to maintain face-to-face interaction. Continue attending networking events and ask local connections if they’d like to meet up for coffee. LinkedIn is just one of many tools to help you grow and maintain your network.

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