How to Use LinkedIn for UX/UI Networking

LinkedIn is THE most powerful networking tool of 2025. Yet 99% of people aren't using it to create new opportunities. Yet it's the #1 way to skyrocket your network. Ready to unlock the hidden power of LinkedIn? Forget generic advice. Here's the insider playbook top networkers use: 🎯 Optimize your profile like a pro • Craft a headline that's a mini elevator pitch (not just your job title) • Use your summary to tell a compelling career story, not list bullet points • Showcase tangible results and metrics, not just responsibilities 🔍 Master the art of strategic searching • Use Boolean search operators to find ultra-specific connections • Leverage Alumni tool to uncover "warm" leads from your school • Set up saved searches for your ideal prospects – LinkedIn will notify you 💬 Engage authentically (and strategically) • Comment on posts by industry leaders (they notice more than you think) • Share insights from events/conferences you attend (tag speakers for visibility) • Write "breakdown" posts analyzing successful campaigns in your field 🤝 Make connection requests irresistible • Reference a specific shared interest or mutual connection • Offer genuine value upfront (an article, intro, or quick tip) • Keep it brief – 2-3 sentences max 📈 Leverage content for inbound networking • Create "How I did X" posts with actionable takeaways • Use carousel posts to break down complex topics visually • Repurpose your best-performing content across platforms 🚀 Turn connections into real relationships • Set up monthly "virtual coffee" chats with new connections • Create a system to nurture relationships (use tags and reminders) • Look for ways to help others without expecting anything in return Networking isn't about collecting connections. It's about building genuine relationships that create mutual value. P.S. If you found this valuable, repost for your network ♻️ Join the 12,000+ leaders who get our weekly email newsletter: https://lnkd.in/en9vxeNk Lead with impact.

“I’ve applied everywhere. I’ve heard nothing.” If that’s you right now... Let’s pause. Let’s pivot. Because what if the answer isn’t more job boards... but new doors you haven’t knocked on? If you're a May 2025 grad (especially on an F-1 visa), job searching in the U.S. can feel like running a marathon in a fog. But here’s a secret: You don’t always need access to the C-suite. You need a crack in the door. And cracks? You can create them. Here are networking strategies you haven’t tried yet—and how to do them in real life. 1. The “Alumni Stack” Strategy Instead of a one-off message to one alum, build a chain. How to do it: Search for alumni from your school on LinkedIn Use filters: industry + location + company (e.g., “Data Analyst” + “Bay Area” + “Visa Inc.”) Reach out to 5 with a message like: “Hi [Name], I’m a May 2025 grad exploring roles in [field]. I noticed you’ve made a transition I really admire. I’d love to hear 2 mins of your journey—no pressure to respond, just grateful to learn from alumni like you.” Once you speak to one, end by asking: “Is there someone else you’d recommend I reach out to next?” That intro makes the next conversation 10x easier. It’s like referrals—but for insight. 2. Start a “Career Curiosity” Newsletter (Even if it’s just 5 subscribers) When you share what you’re learning, you become a magnet. How to do it: Pick a free platform (Substack, Beehiiv, LinkedIn articles) Once a week, share what you're learning in your job search: 1 resource (course, tool, podcast) 1 insight (“What I learned from shadowing a UX designer”) 1 question for your readers Share it with people you admire: “Hi [Name], I’ve started a small newsletter where I unpack career tools and lessons as a new grad. I mentioned your work in the latest edition—thank you for the inspiration!” Suddenly, you’re not just searching. You’re creating conversation. 3. Offer to “Intern” for 1 Week (Unpaid & Project-Based) It’s bold—but bold gets remembered. How to do it: Identify small companies, startups, or nonprofits you genuinely care about Find a task you could help with (BIM audit, website UX review, blog writing) Reach out with: “Hi [Name], I’m a recent grad learning [skill]. I’d love to offer 1 week of help—free—on a micro-project your team’s too busy to finish. I’ll treat it as a capstone, and you get a finished piece of work. Open to it?” Even if they say no—you’ve made a lasting impression. And if they say yes? That could turn into a referral or a role. Final Thought: Most people think networking = asking for jobs. But real networking? It’s creating a reason to stay in someone’s mind—long before you ever apply. Your goal isn’t to impress. It’s to connect. To show up with curiosity. To leave behind a feeling that says: “This person is going somewhere.” Try just one idea this week. #JobSearch2025 #NetworkingWithoutCringe #InternationalStudents #GradLife

Most recruiters aren’t just waiting for applications to come in, they are actively looking for candidates. That means even if you haven’t applied, they could be searching for someone just like you. At my last role, I could only post one job on LinkedIn due to posting limits. For everything else, I had to go out and find the right people myself, searching LinkedIn, portfolios and niche communities for candidates with a very specific mix of skills. That’s why your visibility matters just as much as your applications. Here’s what that looks like in real life:
If I’m recruiting for a Product Designer, I might type into LinkedIn: "Product Designer" AND Figma AND SaaS AND "hybrid" AND ("New York" OR "Los Angeles") Now my search shows people who: • Have the title Product Designer • Use Figma • Have SaaS experience • Are open to hybrid work • Are based in New York or LA If you’re a Product Designer but your headline says “Creative Thinker | Design Enthusiast” and your experience doesn’t mention SaaS or Figma, you’re not showing up. How to actually show up in recruiter searches: 1. Use the right job titles. If you’ve done the job, use the industry standard title. Example: Instead of “UX Rockstar” → “UX Designer” or “Product Designer.” 2. Include the right keywords. Tools, skills, industries. Example: Figma, SaaS, B2B, user research, wireframing. 3. Add location flexibility. If you’re open to remote or hybrid, put it in your headline or “Open to Work” settings. If you’re open to New York or LA, say so because recruiters often search for those exact locations. 4. Fill out your About section. This is your digital elevator pitch. I suggest 3-5 short paragraphs on who you are, what you do, key skills/achievements and what you’re looking for or your CTA. Include the industry-specific keywords so recruiters can find you. 5. Check your own visibility and search appearances. On your profile, go to the Analytics section → click Search appearances. It won’t tell you exact ranking but it will show you the number of searches you appeared in that week, keywords people used to find you, companies whose employees found you then use those keywords to optimize your Headline, About and Skills. Visibility means opportunity, sometimes the right role comes to you before you even hit “Apply.” My biggest advice is think like a recruiter, they search by keywords, not always by perfectly written job titles.

You would be forgiven for feeling like networking on LinkedIn is a little… icky. But if you think about it as an exercise in relationship building, and approach it with authenticity and engagement, and play a long game rather than expecting immediate favors, you’ll end up with a strategic, fruitful network. Here are 6 ways to level up your LinkedIn networking game: 1. Personalize Your Approach Avoid generic messages when reaching out. Mention a common interest, mutual connection, or something specific about their work that genuinely interests you. This shows that your intent goes beyond using them as a stepping stone for your own goals. ✨ Pro tip: Use the search feature to find your 2nd degree connections, then see what you have in common with them (alumni, former employer, a former teacher or neighbor). When you send a connection message, mention what you have in common. 2. Offer Value Before Asking for Help Think about how you can provide value before making a request. Comment thoughtfully on posts, share articles, offer useful insights. This builds rapport and shows that you are invested in a relationship rather than just using them for opportunities. ✨ Pro tip: If someone shares an article or post on a topic you know about, repost it to your network, tag the author, and add your perspective or share a resource that complements their content. 3. Engage Consistently, Not Just When You Need Something   Make networking a habit, not a one-time action! Engage with people regularly: check in, congratulate them on career milestones, comment on their updates. This creates a foundation of familiarity and trust, so it doesn’t feel awkward or transactional when you reach out with a request later. 4. Be Genuine and Curious Ask questions about their experiences and challenges rather than just focusing on how they can help you. People appreciate those who show a real interest in their work and expertise. 5. Play the Long Game Networking is about building long-term relationships that may lead to opportunities naturally over time. Don’t immediately ask for favors or referrals—let those emerge as the relationship develops. Think of your network as a community you contribute to, not just a resource to tap into when needed. ✨ Pro tip: Ask a connection for a 15-minute chat to learn about their journey. Almost everyone will be happy to talk about themselves. 6. Follow Up and Show Gratitude If someone offers you advice or connects you with someone else, always follow up with thanks. Let them know how their advice or referral benefited you, even if it didn’t directly result in a job. Gratitude helps solidify relationships and shows that you value their time and input. 💡 By focusing on authenticity, providing value, and building genuine relationships, you can make networking feel natural and mutually beneficial, rather than purely transactional. #networking #relationshipbuilding #jobsearchadvice #careeradvice

I spoke to a group of UX/UI Design students at the PROG Foundation Development Center - all about connecting on LinkedIn to get a job in the UX/UI space. Here are some of the takeaways: 🔆 Make new connections weekly 🔆 Search for your role or the role you want to be in, connect, connect! 🔆 People want to help, send a genuine message to see if there is interest Your LinkedIn account does nothing for you if you don't have a goal to connect. I have talked to too many people who say, "I wish I started connecting with more people on LinkedIn BEFORE I was laid off." It takes some intentionality. My advice ⬇️ Find a time of day where you typically have about 15 minutes uninterrupted Set a weekly reminder for that time and change it as needed During that time you can do any of the following: ☑️ Search for roles you want to connect with ☑️ Connect with several people without much of an additional filter - no need to add a note ☑️ Send two messages to new connections (don't overwhelm yourself) Here are some examples of messages (PLEASE STEAL THESE): Interested in learning from an early stage of getting your feet wet: "Hi [Name], great to connect with you. I'm currently in a UX/UI design cohort and am really loving what I'm learning. My goal for connecting is to learn more about people who have experience in the space. Would you be open to a conversation where I can ask some questions to understand if a company like [their company] would be a good fit for me down the road? No worries if not, I'm also happy to send some questions over DM if that's easier for you as well. Hope to hear from you soon." Interested in learning from people with more experience in your space: "Hi [Name], great to connect with you. I'm currently working as a [Your current role] and am really enjoying it. My goal for connecting is to learn more about people who have experience in the space. Would you be open to a conversation where I can ask some questions to understand if a company like [their company] would be a good fit for me down the road? No worries if not, I'm also happy to send some questions over DM if that's easier for you as well. Hope to hear from you soon." Interested in a career pivot into another type of role: "Hi [Name], great to connect with you. I'm currently working as a [Your current role] and am interested in a possible career change. My goal for connecting is to learn more about people who have experience in [their job title] space. Would you be open to a conversation where I can ask some questions to understand if a company like [their company](or you can replace company with role) would be a good fit for me down the road? No worries if not, I'm also happy to send some questions over DM if that's easier for you as well. Hope to hear from you soon." Baby steps and this isn't a race. But I will say that if you take a small amount of time each week to intentionally connect, finding a job will be much easier for you.

Here's how you can leverage LinkedIn to find companies & product or design opportunities that are most relevant to you through referrals of people you're connect to on LinkedIn. Getting a referral for a position is going to increase your chances of getting an interview exponentially. Especially in the market that we're in now where there is a flood of applications for every new position. LinkedIn doesn't make it super clear how to find companies where you have connections. So in some recent conversations with others I gave this advice on how to get to a short list of higher potential jobs where there were people they knew who worked at companies with openings in hopes they could refer them. 1. Put cursor in search bar and hit enter. (This will do a blank search) 2. Select "Companies" 3. Filter by your location 4. Filter by "Software Development" 5. Through "All Filters" select "Job Listings on LinkedIn" and "1st Connections" 6. Select a company 7. Select jobs (They surface the most relevant jobs to you first) 8. Select "[#] connections work here" 9. Select "Message" and it will auto write a message to your connection asking for a referral. (Send or edit to your desire) If you have a particular size company, that will also narrow down the results to the size of company you'd prefer where to work. This will narrow down a short list of companies you can look into so see if there are jobs at companies in your city with people you know that work there. One benefit to doing this way is you can remove the "Job Listings on LinkedIn" filter and there may still be companies that have openings that are just not on LinkedIn since not every company posts there job openings on LinkedIn. So it will still give you a list of companies with people in your network that you can reach out to. This seemed very helpful to the people that I shared it with so I thought I'd share it here for others. Adding a screen recording of how it works for me. Do you have any tips and tricks you use for job hunting?