I spend a lot of time encouraging my students to use LinkedIn. I want them to connect with people while they are still learning, share their projects and become comfortable talking about their work. Waiting until you need a job leaves you with a lot to do at once.

The same applies to professionals who are already employed. Your network deserves attention even when you are happy where you are.

LinkedIn’s size gives you an idea of the opportunity. According to its official statistics, checked in October 2026, the platform has more than 1.3 billion members. Every minute, around 8,200 job applications are submitted, more than 1.8 million feed updates are viewed, and over 18,000 connections are made. That is a huge amount of professional activity happening every day.

For businesses, LinkedIn offers a place to reach potential customers and show the work behind their services. People can get to know a company through its employees’ posts long before they contact its sales team. For professionals, it can lead to job conversations, collaborations or an introduction to someone they would otherwise never meet. Students can learn directly from people already working in their chosen field and give employers something concrete to look at.

But despite its professional nature, LinkedIn is still a social media platform. Engagement matters. People see a post, react to it, leave a comment and sometimes visit the author’s profile. LinkedIn uses information about your professional background and your activity to help decide what appears in your feed. Its March 2026 update also made clear that it is working to reduce generic posts and engagement bait.

My advice is simple: be involved. If you want people to discover your work, give them opportunities to see it. If you want to grow your network, take an interest in other people.

These are the ten habits I recommend. Some take a few minutes each day. Others belong in your weekly routine or need a monthly check. The point is to keep at it.

1. Post something at least twice a week

You do not need to write a long article every time you post.

Share something you found useful. Repost something with your own thoughts. If you read an interesting article on a website, use its LinkedIn share button and add a sentence about why it caught your attention.

You might have a thought after a class or a meeting that is worth sharing. Write it down while it is fresh.

For students, this can feel uncomfortable at first. You may think you have nothing to say because you are still learning. But what you learned today could help someone who is a few steps behind you. A short explanation of a problem you solved is a perfectly good post.

Aim for at least two posts a week. Give yourself a routine you can maintain, and take the time to reply when someone comments.

2. Comment on posts or leave a like

If you find a post interesting, let the person know.

A like takes a second. A useful comment takes a little longer, but it gives you a chance to contribute to the conversation. You can ask a question, explain why you agree or add an experience of your own.

Try to do this at least four or five times a week.

Read the post before you comment, though. People can usually tell when a response could have been pasted under almost anything. Say something that relates to what the author actually wrote.

You are also giving other readers a chance to notice you. Someone may find your comment useful and decide to look at your profile. That is a natural way for a professional conversation to start.

3. Follow companies that interest you

Follow companies you would like to work for and businesses whose work you enjoy. Include organisations connected to your field, even if you are not looking for a job there.

Their posts can help you understand what they are working on, what they care about and where opportunities might appear.

The more relevant companies you follow, the more chances you have to come across content worth reading and discussing. When you join those discussions, you may also meet people with similar interests.

Following a page alone does not guarantee that more people will discover your profile. Your participation is what gives them a reason to notice you. Leave a thoughtful comment when you have something to contribute.

4. Connect with people as soon as you meet them

Make asking for someone’s LinkedIn profile a habit.

You can do this after a conversation at a conference, when you meet someone at a business event or when a new colleague joins your team. Send the request while they still remember who you are. If needed, add a short note about where you met.

As an instructor, I make a habit of connecting with my students immediately or asking them to find me on LinkedIn. We already have a reason to stay in touch, and I want that connection to continue after the course.

There is no need to wait until you have a favour to ask. Connect while the conversation is fresh.

5. Follow up when someone looks at your profile

When LinkedIn shows you that someone has viewed your profile, take a look at theirs.

If there is a relevant professional connection, send them a request. They have already shown some interest in you, so it is a good moment to connect. It also shows that you are active and open to meeting people.

One detail needs clarification here: profile views and search appearances are different. LinkedIn does not give you a complete list of everyone who searched for you. The viewer information available to you depends on your account and their privacy settings. People browsing in private mode remain anonymous, even if you have Premium.

Use the information you can see. If someone relevant has visited your profile, you have a reason to introduce yourself.

6. Start your day with five new people

This is how I start my day, with a cup of coffee in hand.

I go to My Network, look through the suggestions and pick five profiles that interest me. I may send a connection request or follow the person if I mainly want to read their content. Following can be particularly useful for a Top Voice or someone with a large audience.

It is a small habit, but the numbers add up. Five connection requests a day equals 1,825 invitations over the year.

That means invitations sent, of course. Not everyone will accept, and following someone does not create a mutual connection.

Take a moment to read each profile. Find people you would like to learn from or have a professional reason to know. A number gives you a useful target, but the people behind it still matter.

7. Keep notifications on and get back to people

It is frustrating to send someone a message or a request and never hear back.

Keep notifications on for messages and connection requests. If you receive too many alerts, adjust them so the useful ones do not get lost.

Nobody needs to be available on LinkedIn all day. But checking regularly and replying within a reasonable time makes a difference. Even a short reply can keep a conversation moving.

For me, this is also common courtesy. If someone has taken the time to contact you with a relevant question or opportunity, acknowledge it.

8. Keep your photo and banner up to date

Personally, when I see a profile without a photo, I cannot help thinking that the person has not paid much attention to it.

That may not tell the whole story, but it is the impression I get.

Use a clear, recent photo. Someone who meets you should be able to recognise you when they find your profile. Review it every six months or once a year and change it when it no longer looks like you.

Give your banner some attention too. It is one of the first things someone sees when they open your profile.

A simple background with your company colours or logo is fine. You could also add a short description of your work or your professional interests. Keep it readable.

Canva has LinkedIn banner templates, and an AI image generator can help you create a background. Use the correct dimensions for a personal LinkedIn banner and check how it appears after uploading. Your profile photo covers part of that space, so be careful where you place text.

You do not need an elaborate design. You need something that looks current and represents you.

9. Update your profile every month and show your work

Put a monthly reminder in your calendar to review your profile.

Add a new job, a certification you completed or an educational milestone. Include awards and update your skills as your experience grows. LinkedIn currently allows up to 100 skills in the Skills section. Use that space thoughtfully and choose skills you can support with your work.

I especially want to stress projects and publications.

If you build something, add it.

An app, a web page, a dashboard or a useful tool gives people a way to understand what you can do. Explain what you built and your contribution. Include a link, screenshots or a demonstration when possible.

This matters particularly when AI is involved. People should be able to see the result and understand the decisions you made.

Corporate projects count too, but remember confidentiality. Check what you are allowed to share. You may be able to describe the problem and your role without exposing internal information or client data.

The same goes for your writing. Add your blog posts, Medium articles and research papers. Make your publications easy to find, and use the Featured section for work you particularly want visitors to see.

You have put effort into creating these things. Give people a chance to discover them.

10. Make sure people can reach you

Check your contact information.

Add your city to your profile location. A home address is unnecessary. Include your website or portfolio and an email address you actually check.

For anyone working in data, AI or software, I would pay particular attention to GitHub. Add the link and make sure the projects you want people to see have clear descriptions. A visitor should be able to understand what a repository contains without having to investigate everything themselves.

You can include a phone number if you wish. Remember the country code and check the visibility settings.

Finally, this suggestion may be a little controversial: add your birthday if you are comfortable sharing it. The day and month are enough.

I like this because it gives people a reason to remember you once a year and perhaps restart a conversation. A birthday message can be a very easy way to get back in touch.

LinkedIn lets you control who sees your birthday and who can receive notifications about it. It will not necessarily remind your entire network, because visibility and notification settings matter. Still, it can be a useful annual reminder at no cost.

I want my students to build these habits early. I would encourage experienced professionals to do the same, even if they are comfortable in their current roles.

Start with a few minutes over your morning coffee. Find someone interesting, reply to a message and take part in a conversation you care about. When you finish something you are proud of, share it.

Then make time to do it again tomorrow.