Utilization Of Linkedin As A Media For Preparation For The World Of Work: A Phenomenological Study Of Final Level Students

Mohammad Alief Hidayatullah; Deni Wahyudi; Mohammad Rifqi Nurholis

doi:10.55227/ijhess.v5i3.1938

Authors

Mohammad Alief Hidayatullah Universitas Nurul Jadid
Deni Wahyudi Universitas Nurul Jadid
Mohammad Rifqi Nurholis Universitas Nurul Jadid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v5i3.1938

Keywords:

Professional Identity, LinkedIn, University Students, Digital Career Literacy, Higher Education, Professional Networking

Abstract

Amid the rapid digitalization of the contemporary labor market, LinkedIn has transformed from a conventional job search platform into a strategic arena where university students construct their professional identities and navigate future career pathways. In this study, a total of XX final-year students were involved as participants to explore how they perceive and utilize LinkedIn as a medium for self-actualization, career literacy, and professional networking. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, the research captures the depth of these students’ lived experiences in shaping their professional persona within a digital environment. The findings reveal that students view LinkedIn as a narrative space through which they express their potential, values, and career aspirations. Nevertheless, their engagement with the platform is significantly constrained by three major challenges: limited professional digital literacy, insufficient institutional support, and unequal access to role models, references, and digital learning communities. These constraints collectively form systemic barriers that restrict meaningful student participation in professional online ecosystems. The study highlights the urgent need for higher education institutions to implement strategic interventions, including the integration of digital career literacy into curricula, the development of structured mentorship mechanisms, and the cultivation of adaptive campus ecosystems that align with the demands of platform-based professional environments

References

Anas, M., Judijanto, L., Rukmana, AY, Widyana, SF, Sudarmi, S., & Lishobrina, LF (2025). Creative Management: The Art of Managing Competitive and Competent Organizations Towards the Challenges of the Society 5.0 Era . Pt. Sonpedia Publishing Indonesia.

Andari, TW, & Raharjo, AS (2022). Virtual Set: Strategy for Building Reality in Imaginative Space. Introduction by the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design–Iv Introduction to Snades Proceedings , 31.

Aswita, D., Nurmawati, MP, Salamia, MS, Sarah, S., Si, SP, Saputra, S., … Zulfikar, S. (2022). Literacy Education: Meeting 21st Century Skills . K- Media Publisher.

Azfaruddin, MF (2024). Disclosure of the Truth of Participant Answers in Self- Report . State Islamic University of Maulana Malik Ibrahim.

Bairizki, A. (2021). Public Relations Management (Theory and Implementation of Higher Education Public Relations) . Pustaka Aksara.

Creswell, W. (2024). 4.2. Characteristics of Qualitative Research. Qualitative Research Methods , 45 .

Dewi, FIR, & Sakuntalawati, LRD (2023). Building Children's Character and Social Skills Based on Traditional Dance . Cv Sintesia.

Dikdik Harjadi, SE, & Fitriani, LK (2024). Marketing Transformation in the Digital Era: MSME Development Strategy in Indonesia . Pt Arr Rad Pratama.

Fahyuni, EF, & Wahyuni, A. (2021). Islamic Education Management Research . Graziano, E.A., Fattobene, L., Giovando, G., & Pellicelli, A. (2024). Contacts On Linkedin: Equity Crowdfunding Platforms' Networks And Creators' Innovation Performance. European Journal Of Innovation Management, 27 (7), 2351–2372.

Hadi, A. (2021). Qualitative Research of Phenomenological Studies, Case Studies, Grounded Theory, Ethnography, Biography . Cv. Pena Persada.

Hakim, A. (2023). Linkedin Application as a Media for Self-Existence of Islamic Communication and Broadcasting Students of Uin Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta . Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University....

Harahap, NSG, Masengi, M.C., Pi, S., & Orpa Sapulette, R. (2024). Research Methods: A Comprehensive Guide . Pt. Indonesian Publishing Media.

Haro, A., Saktisyahputra, S., Herlinah, H., Olifia, S., & Laksono, RD (2024).

Digital Communication Textbook . Pt. Sonpedia Publishing Indonesia.

Iskandar, ARR (2023). Exploration of Students' Experiences and Perceptions and Lecturers' Responses to Community-Based Learning Activities in the Academic Phase of the Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University . Hasanuddin University.

Ismanto, H., Antony, R., & Mulyatno, CB (2024). Teachers' Dialogic Communication Experiences in Improving the Quality of Educational Services. Discourse: Journal of Language, Arts, and Teaching , 8 (1), 18– 26.

Judijanto, L., Setiawan, Z., Saputra, R., Sarwono, DA, Marbun, MR, Permatasakti, D., … Ramadhan, H. (2024). Personal Branding: Building a Positive Image in Global Competition . Pt. Sonpedia Publishing Indonesia.

Judijanto, L., Wibowo, GA, Karimuddin, K., Samsuddin, H., Patahuddin, A., Anggraeni, AF, … Simorangkir, FMA (2024). Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches . Pt. Sonpedia Publishing Indonesia.

Kamil, MAF (2023). User Experience Analysis Of Linkedin Social Media Using Usability Metric For User Experience (Umux). Jieet (Journal Of Information Engineering And Educational Technology) , 7 (2), 78–82.

Kanayya, SVE, & Syeilendra, S. (ND). Erfan Lubis: The Maestro. Swara , 5 (1), 59–70.

Kawangmani, S. (2021). Church Planting Experience in the Covid-19 Pandemic Era: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Sophia: Journal of Theology and Christian Education , 2 (1), 1–14.

Kurnia, RS, & Aziza, RFA (2021). Personal User Interface Design of Digital Financial Assistant. Sistemasi: Jurnal Sistem Informasi , 10 (3), 502–515.

Kurniawan, H., Hakim, L., Sanulita, H., Maiza, M., Arisanti, I., Rismawan, M., … Haryani, H. (2023). Scientific Writing Techniques: How to Make Good and Correct Scientific Works . Pt. Sonpedia Publishing Indonesia.

Langoday, TO (2024). Research Methodology: Navigating the Ocean of Research for Economics, Management, Business & Accounting Students . Pt. Sonpedia Publishing Indonesia.

Multimedia Communication in Life . Adab Publisher.

López ‐ Carril, S., Glebova, E., Bae, D., & González ‐ Serrano, M. H. (2025). Social Media As A Teaching ‐ Learning Tool To Enhance Students' Professional Profile: The Case Of Linkedin. European Journal Of Education , 60 (1), E12862.

Marin, G.D., & Nilă, C. (2021). Branding in Social Media. Using Linkedin In Personal Brand Communication: A Study On Communications/Marketing And Recruitment/Human Resources Specialists Perception. Social Sciences & Humanities Open , 4 (1), 100174.

Mei Ie, SE, Haris Maupa, SE, Madris, SE, & Dps, MS (2024). Disability and Entrepreneurship: A Path to Economic Independence . Takaza Innovatix Labs.

Mubarok, RS (2024). Implementation of Digital Marketing to Increase Sales of Gethuk Gunung Lawu Products . Iain Ponorogo.

Nahda, IR (ND). Determinants of Fraud Prevention with Ethical Behavior . Feb Uin Jakarta.

Nartin, SE, Faturrahman, SE, Ak, M., Deni, HA, Mm, CQM, Santoso, YH, … Indrayani, E. (2024). Qualitative Research Methods . Cendikia Mulia Mandiri.

Ningrum, M. (2025). Effectiveness of Link and Match Policy in Vocational Education: Measuring Graduate Readiness to Enter the World of Work. Journal of Management Science and Education , 5 (1), 51–58.

Nizza, I.E., Farr, J., & Smith, J.A. (2021). Achieving Excellence In Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Ipa): Four Markers Of High Quality. Qualitative Research In Psychology , 18 (3), 369–386.

Nugroho, DA, & Suryadi, N. (2023). Digital Marketing Basics: Technology, Social Media, and Strategy . Universitas Brawijaya Press.

Nuriman, N., Abubakar, MBIN, Aiyub, A., Hasan, K., & Suzanna, E. (2022).

Understanding Qualitative Analysis . Tandaseru.

Orgad, S. (2024). Post Vulnerability On Linkedin. New Media & Society , 14614448241243094.

Pangestu, S., Harjanti, EP, Pertiwi, IH, Rencz, F., & Nurdiyanto, FA (2024). Financial Toxicity Experiences Of Patients With Cancer In Indonesia: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Value In Health Regional Issues , 41 , 25–31.

Prabowo, A., Wahyuni, ES, Tanjung, Y., Wijaya, MR, & Adam, AA (2025). Marketing Management (Digital Era Marketing Strategy: Mastering Trends and Technology as a New Concept to Increase Sales) . Serasi Media Technology.

Putri, IA, Marsofiyati, M., & Utari, ED (2025). Analysis of Linkedin Utilization as a Personal Branding Tool in Preparing for the World of Work for Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, State University of Jakarta. Triwikrama: Journal of Social Sciences , 8 (2), 131–140.

Ramadhani, A., Ramadhani, DA, Hardiyanto, D., Zhafira, G., Ambarwati, LR, Miranti, N., … Cynthiani, Q. (2023). Digital Pr In The Era Of Disruption 5.0: Digital Pr In The Era Of Disruption 5.0; Academic Study . Nas Media Pustaka.

Riatmaja, DS, & Wibawanto, S. (2024). Digital Entrepreneur: Carving Success in the Digital Era . Andi Publisher.