Using Linkedin to Network in Medical School: 3 golden rules

I recently landed a huge opportunity as a medical student, primarily using LinkedIn. I’m not going to reveal the details publicly because I’m afraid to jinx it (I’m superstitious, lol), but I can say that it’s something I’ve always dreamed of. This opportunity came to me because I have a LinkedIn profile and know how to use it.

I want to share some tips on how you can achieve your dreams this way as well.

Last year, I saw a man on the news talking about an incredibly inspiring project he was working on. It stopped me in my tracks as it aligned perfectly with my ultimate dream. I thought to myself, “If I could do anything in the world without financial or time constraints, I would want to do what this person is doing.” Instead of closing the article and going back to work, I decided to track him down and connect with him on LinkedIn.

I messaged him that I’d read about his work on the news and was impressed. I reached out to him and invited him to meet up. It took multiple follow-ups over more than 6 months to meet up with him. But we eventually did. And he presented me with an entry ticket into his world.

So, my 3 golden rules from this networking adventure for you are the following:

1. Follow up

2. Pimp your page

3. Think like your future self.

Golden rule 1: Follow up

In our digital age, it’s easy to find anyone’s contact information online if you know where to look. If you’re determined to find someone, you can usually find them.

However, the challenge is getting an answer. It all depends on the other person, and it can be frustrating.

To increase your chances of getting an answer, you need to keep following up. Don’t be afraid to be persistent.

Remember, you don’t have to be annoying to get what you want. The other person doesn’t know you, so who cares if you’re a little bit annoying to them?

If you send them just once, there’s a chance they’ll end up in their spam folder or only see your notification, thinking you’ll respond and never do so.

You can either be annoying or be forgotten. Most likely, these people are so busy that they don’t see your first email, so follow up, follow up, follow up, follow up.

Opportunities don’t just come to you; you have to go out and hunt for them.

Golden rule 2: Pimp your page

So, lets say you found someone online and invited them to connect. What do you want them to see to maximise the odds of them accepting?

Your LinkedIn profile should be updated and filled out completely, showcasing you as you are and where you’re aiming.

It should be a portfolio and an online CV that showcases your skills and aspirations.

On your LinkedIn profile as a student, you don’t need a lot of experience; just a name and a profilepicture. Consider a cover picture as well.

If you’re applying for a dream opportunity, how would you want them to perceive you?

Would you want them to see an empty profile with no proper picture, no experience, and no aspirations, or would you want them to see someone who has direction, aim, and passion?

Here are the steps you need to take to achieve this:

• Add your full name and verify your profile (you don’t need linkdin premium)

• Put in your current job title or student status.

• List your past one or two work experiences, including a brief biography and adding relevant people to your network.

• Get some of your university friends to endorse you. (If you don’t have that, add me with a contact message asking to help and I will endorse you. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagnyhallaa/) This will boost your profile and help you connect with others.

• Start adding people from uni or your work to your network and following institutions related to your dream field.

• Regularly check your LinkedIn network tab and add people you recognize or whose names you know.

Golden rule 3: Think like your future self

My final recommendation is to adopt the mindset of the person you aspire to be in five years rather than focusing solely on your current self. You likely lack significant experience at this stage.

You may feel apprehensive or anxious about how others will perceive you. You may even suffer from imposter syndrome.

Remember that the person who minimizes themselves out of fear of embarrassment won’t be hired for anything. The person who puts themselves out there will succeed in all aspects. The individuals who are hiring you or providing opportunities are the ones who need to recognize your potential, envision your future as the person you are actively shaping yourself to be, and recognize that no one else will take control and mold you in that direction.

You have to do the work yourself.

However, they need to see and believe in the vision to hire you.

They’ll recognize that you are a good candidate, and because you now have minimal other opportunities, you have the potential to blossom into an amazing professional who will become an invaluable asset to them.

These were essentially my three key insights about networking on LinkedIn that I wish someone had shared with me a year ago. They are the reason I landed the craziest opportunity of my career until now.

So, go ahead, have fun, and happy networking, colleagues!