How to use LinkedIn to plot your career path

Explore industry-specific groups

Start your career exploration with a simple search on LinkedIn using your intended job title, such as "Forensic Accountant."

The results lead you to industry-specific groups with over 1,000 members. Here you’ll find a gold mine of information, advice, discussions, and potential contacts.

Want to know what a consultant actually does? These group forums are a great place to ask.

Dive into career journeys through individual profiles

Ever met someone with an impressive job and wondered, how did they get there? Jump on to their LinkedIn profile and you will find your answer. 

Profiles on LinkedIn provide a wealth of information about individuals' career paths. Try using filters based on location, current company, and more to understand how professionals reached their current positions.

This is your chance to learn from others' experiences and tailor your own journey accordingly.

Stay in the know by following leading companies and people

Got a dream company you’d love to work for? Follow them on LinkedIn and you can stay in the loop with everything happening in their business. You might even be the first to see a suitable job posting in the future!

If you’re not sure where you would like to work just yet, try browsing through different company profiles to get an inside look into their employees, culture and work environment.

When you come across a person or place you think is interesting, make sure to click through to the posts on their wall. LinkedIn posts offer a real-time source of information and will help you stay updated on industry trends and developments.

Decode job advertisements for career clues

LinkedIn is a treasure trove of job postings which are often accompanied by detailed information on salaries and work culture.

Even if you’re not in the market for a new job, taking the time to go through the available opportunities will help you stay ahead.

Job posts can also serve as an early indicator of companies that are actively hiring. Keep an eye out for promotion posts too, as this may indicate upcoming positions.

Bonus tip: use the resources available at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Skills and Jobs Centre

The friendly team at our Skills and Jobs Centre is committed to supporting students’ success beyond the classroom.

We run regular workshops to help you set up a new LinkedIn profile and explain all the tips you will need to use it effectively. If you haven’t got your profile up and running or want to update your current one, we highly recommend attending.

For further information on finding work or to book a free consult with our Skills and Jobs Centre, book an appointment here or sign up for our upcoming workshops by booking here.