How to Best Use LinkedIn in MBA Applications

A majority (66%) of admissions officers see an applicant’s social media as fair game when assessing their application.

While that may seem alarming for many applicants, social media can actually play a positive factor in your MBA admissions. Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, recently explained how social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, can be used to bolster an MBA profile and offered tips on how applicants should use such platforms to their advantage.

SHOWCASE YOUR PERSONALITY

LinkedIn can be a prime opportunity for applicants to showcase their interests, passions, and career goals giving admissions officers a better view of who they are. Blackman says there are a few ways applicants can make their personality shine through in their LinkedIn profile.

“Be specific about your professional role in the headline,” Blackman says. “Also, think about whether you can provide a broader picture of yourself in this prime piece of real estate. For example, you may work as a staff consultant at Bain & Company or as an analyst at Goldman Sachs. But if you’ve also created a non-profit organization, listing that additional position in your headline will set you apart from the typical analyst in the applicant pool.”

QUANTIFY ACHIEVEMENTS

Much like your MBA resume, your LinkedIn should highlight quantifiable results.

“For example, it’s much more powerful to write that you ‘created a marketing plan that resulted in a 30% increase in leads’ instead of noting that you ‘created a marketing plan,’” Blackman says. “Managing a staff is interesting. But the fact that you supervised 30 employees and improved profitability by 25% is something anyone can understand. By giving the reader a number, you allow them to see just what kind of leader you were—and will be.”

ALIGN YOUR INTERESTS

While you may have a variety of interests, be sure to only include ones that support your MBA candidacy and align with your application.

“Suppose your application touches on your keen interest in renewable energy, micro-investing in India, or Silicon Valley startups,” Blackman says. “In that case, this section should show that you’re following influencers or organizations in those industries. This consistency reinforces the narrative within your application and lends credibility to your stated interests and passions.”

Sources: Stacy Blackman Consulting, Kaplan

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