Especially If You're a Fresh Graduate in Pakistan
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| Image Courtesy: Breakaway Staffing |
You’ve graduated. You’ve applied to dozens of jobs. Your inbox is empty. And now you’re wondering — what else can I do? If this sounds like your current situation, you’re not alone. Many fresh graduates in Pakistan face the same struggle. With limited on-ground opportunities and high competition, job hunting feels like chasing shadows.
But there’s one free tool most people still aren’t using properly: LinkedIn.
This isn’t just another motivational blog post. Below is a practical, step-by-step breakdown of how you, as a Pakistani graduate or unemployed job seeker, can actually use LinkedIn to grow your career—even if you have zero work experience right now.
1. Fix your profile before you do anything else
If your LinkedIn profile only says “Student at XYZ University” with a blurry photo and no details, you're invisible to recruiters.
Start here:
- Profile photo: Wear something formal or semi-formal. A clear headshot with a neutral background. No group photos. No filters.
- Headline: This shows up right under your name. Make it targeted. Instead of “Fresh Graduate,” try:“BS Computer Science | Python | Web Development | Looking for Junior Developer Role”
- About section: Write in first-person. Focus on your skills, education, and what you're actively seeking. Example:“I recently completed my BS in Software Engineering from FAST University. My interests include full-stack development and solving real-world problems using code. I’m currently seeking a junior role or internship to build hands-on experience.”
- Add coursework, projects, and tools: No job yet? No problem. Add your final year project. Add what tools you’ve used (e.g., Visual Studio, Canva, SPSS, etc.). Add certifications from Coursera, DigiSkills, or YouTube.
2. Start adding the right people
Don’t randomly send requests. Start by adding:
- Classmates
- Teachers or project supervisors
- Alumni from your university (search them using the “Alumni” tab on your university’s LinkedIn page)
- Professionals in your field (e.g., HR managers at companies you’d love to work for)
Add a note when connecting. Example:
“Hi [Name], I’m a recent graduate exploring opportunities in [field]. I admire your work and would love to connect.”
Connections matter in Pakistan. Many jobs come through referrals. Start building that network now.
3. Engage like you're present, not desperate
Once your profile is set, don’t go silent. Be visible in a natural way. You don’t need to be a content creator — just show up.
Do things like:
- React to posts by people in your network
- Comment meaningfully (e.g., “Thanks for sharing this resource! Just completed this course too — very helpful for beginners.”)
- Share your own learning updates. Example post: “Just finished my first project using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Built a simple quiz app. Took me longer than expected but learned a lot about logic and responsiveness!”
4. Follow companies & look for internships first
If you’re applying only to full-time jobs and getting ghosted, pivot to internships (even unpaid ones). Many Pakistani companies offer remote or short-term internships on LinkedIn but don’t advertise them on other job sites.
- Search companies you like
- Click "Follow" and turn on job alerts
Message their HR reps politely:
“Hi [Name], I’m a fresh graduate in [field] and recently started following your company. If any internship or trainee program opens up, I’d love to apply.”
You’d be surprised how many respond.
5. Use the “Open to Work” feature
LinkedIn has a green “Open to Work” badge. You can turn this on from your profile settings.
Two tips:
- Choose to show it only to recruiters (not all connections)
- Add preferred job titles, locations (e.g., “Remote” or “Lahore”), and job types (Internship, Entry-Level)
This helps LinkedIn show your profile to relevant employers in searches.
6. Learn in-demand skills and show proof
You don’t need to wait for a job to start learning. Use platforms like:
- DigiSkills.pk (Government of Pakistan’s platform)
- LinkedIn Learning (many courses are free)
- Coursera / YouTube
Once you complete a course, add it to your profile. Better yet—write a short post sharing what you learned and how you’ll use it.
This builds credibility. It shows effort. And in a saturated job market, effort stands out.
7. Ask for a recommendation or two
Worked on a group project? Interned somewhere? Helped a teacher with research? Ask them to write you a LinkedIn recommendation. It doesn’t have to be long—just specific.
Example request:
“Sir/Madam, I enjoyed working under your supervision on the XYZ project. If you’re comfortable, would you be open to writing a short LinkedIn recommendation about our collaboration?”
Even one good recommendation adds trust to your profile.
"LinkedIn Won’t Get You a Job in One Day—But It Will Make You Seen"
If you’re a fresh graduate in Pakistan struggling to find work, don’t just rely on job sites or walk-in interviews. Start building your digital professional identity today.
LinkedIn won’t solve everything overnight. But it will:
- Get you noticed by recruiters
- Help you grow your network
- Increase your chances of referrals
- Give you a space to learn and be visible
The job market is tough. But you can make it easier—one connection, one post, and one step at a time.
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