How to Create a Professional Profile on LinkedIn

For Students & Graduates

Overview

• LinkedIn vs. Facebook• Why you need a LinkedIn profile• Creating a LinkedIn profile• Adding profile sections• Customizing your LinkedIn profile URL• Basic profile checklist

LinkedIn vs. Facebook

• LinkedIn– Professional social

network– Focused on job seekers

and recruitment

• Facebook– A social network to

connect with your friends

– Focused on sharing your personal content with your friends

Why You Need a LinkedIn Profile

• It’s your professional online presence• Opportunity to connect with other students,

alumni, and local employers• Research companies/career paths• Explore opportunities with local employers

that may not recruit on campus• Learn professional networking etiquette

Creating Your LinkedIn Profile

Creating a Profile

• Fill in all sections (or as much as you can)• LinkedIn gives you the ability to upload your

resume, however it’s best to manually fill this information in yourself

• Completing your profile is essential:– Shows employers that you’re knowledgeable – Makes your profile more credible – Gives employers and hiring managers a chance to find you

Creating a Profile (cont.)

• Headline: Appears directly underneath your name and is one of the most important pieces of your LinkedIn profile• This affects how people will find and classify you• Include keywords so you can easily be found

• Photo: A photo gives you more credibility. It also allows people you have networked with in the past to quickly identify you. It is important that your photo is appropriate. Make it look as professional as you can.

Creating a Profile (cont.)

• Summary: By stating your professional experience and goals, others can learn quickly about your background.

• Specialties: List your areas of expertise. Use keywords in this area.

• Experience: This section is listed in chronological order. Your position descriptions should briefly explain your main responsibilities and accomplishments.

• Education: This area is also listed in chronological order. Be sure to list Bryant & Stratton College. This area can open up valuable connections.

Adding Profile Sections

• Showcase your college accomplishments– Projects– Awards & Honors– Organizations– Courses– Test Scores– Etc.

Adding Profile Sections (cont.)

• From the top navigation select “Edit Profile”

• From your profile, click “Add Sections”

Adding Profile Sections (cont.)

• Select the section(s) you would like to add to your profile– You can add as many as

you want– You will need to select

them one by one

• Once you have the section selected, click “Add to Profile”

Customizing Your LinkedIn Profile URL

• From the “Edit Profile” tab, select “Edit” directly next to your current LinkedIn URL

• Select “Customize your public profile URL”

• From there you can change it to your first and last name– If that is already taken, try

adding in your middle initial

Your Completed Profile• Users with 100% complete

profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn

• You can’t build connections if people don’t know you exist or see what you have to offer

• Think of your LinkedIn profile as your online business card, your resume, and letters of recommendation all in one

LinkedIn Basic Checklist

HeadlineProfile PhotoEducationSummarySpecialtiesProfile SectionsCustom URL