IDBangun Personal Branding Efektif di LinkedIn untuk Gen Z Profesional, Bersama Hidayatul Annisa Psikolog dan HR Expert
As the world's premier professional networking platform with over 1 billion users, LinkedIn has become indispensable in today’s career landscape. The recent “LinkedIn 101” mentoring session sought to equip students with the expertise to craft a compelling and strategic digital presence.
“LinkedIn is far more than just another social media site—it is the gateway to real-world professional opportunities,” emphasized Hidayatul Annisa, M.Psi, Psychologist, who ranks among Indonesia’s 30 most-followed LinkedIn HR Top Voice professionals.
Drawing from her extensive experience as a recruiter for major corporations such as Glints Indonesia and PT Semen Padang, Annisa highlighted a key finding from the Jobvite Recruiter Nation Report 2023: 90% of recruiters actively leverage LinkedIn to scout talent. However, she lamented that many students remain unaware of how to fully harness the platform’s potential.
During the session, participants explored the critical elements of an optimized LinkedIn profile—ranging from impactful headlines and well-crafted summaries to selecting an appropriate profile photo. Annisa introduced the “HI-PACT” strategy—a structured approach focusing on Headline, Intro, Profile Picture, Activities, Coursework, and Technical Skills—to help students create a standout digital presence.
“Simply listing yourself as an ‘XYZ University Student’ is not enough. Define who you are, articulate your passions, and showcase your career aspirations,” Annisa advised. She further noted that profiles with well-developed descriptions are 40 times more likely to attract recruiters’ attention.
Additionally, she highlighted common pitfalls frequently observed in student profiles, including:
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Neglecting the “About” or summary section
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Uploading an informal selfie as a profile picture
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Omitting organizational involvement or academic projects
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Listing an excessive number of unrelated skills
“Your LinkedIn profile introduces you before you ever have the chance to speak. Make it count,” Annisa underscored.
Beyond profile optimization, participants were urged to cultivate an active presence on LinkedIn. “Start engaging now—post relevant content, interact with professional networks, and establish connections before graduation,” advised Annisa, who also serves as an HR Super Mentor at Dealls Indonesia.
She pointed to data from LinkedIn Talent Blog 2022, revealing that active LinkedIn users receive three times more job offers. Activities such as sharing internship reflections, attending industry webinars, and posting learning experiences contribute to stronger visibility within LinkedIn’s algorithm.
This insightful event was part of IMABESWA’s ongoing initiative to enhance students’ non-academic competencies. Many attendees appreciated the opportunity to receive firsthand guidance from a seasoned HR practitioner.
“I realized that personal branding starts with seemingly small yet crucial details—such as crafting a strong headline and a compelling self-summary,” shared one participant, a Psychology student at Pembangunan Jaya University.
Ultimately, the “LinkedIn 101” mentoring session went beyond technical guidance—it inspired students to recognize that career-building begins in college, through robust personal branding, meaningful networking, and a strategic digital presence.
