Do you know that 75% of hiring managers look at LinkedIn profiles to learn about candidates鈥�? LinkedIn is an incredibly useful tool for exploring your future career options and building connections. You can learn more about the fields you are aiming to work in - and the positions you are thinking of applying for, you can get inspired about possibilities, and sign up for job alerts and much more.
Warning: you can develop comparison fatigue with those who are ahead of you on their path! Remember that careers are not linear and these pages are curated like anything else in the media stream. Take breaks if you notice this happening and trust the experience.
Profile Picture
Profiles with a photo get an average of 21X more views compared to profiles with no photo. Adding a picture is helpful with attracting viewers and connections.
The photo should be you alone, from shoulders up, with a neutral background. Aim for a pleasant look on your face. :)
Your profile photo makes the first impression, and helps colleagues and connections, or recruiters and employers potentially recognize you as you build your brand and trust in who you are and how you interact online.
Writing Your Headline
Headlines are either a title or position that best describes the type of job you are looking for. We recommend these one-liners to have an impact in stating what you aspire to be.
Example #1: Research Assistant | Camp Instructor | Career Peer Advisor | Psychology BA Candidate
Example #2: Software Development | Aspiring Software Engineer - Java, PHP, C++, JavaScript
Writing A Summary
The summary section on your LinkedIn profile, the 鈥橝bout鈥� section, is where your network can get to know you quickly.
Do you have shared interests and values? Do you have similar or different or interesting backgrounds? Aim to be concise and captivating.
Things you can mention: Strengths & Assets, Personal Qualities & Natural Interests, Possibilities, Desires and Influences.
TIP
For 鈥楽trengths & Assets鈥�, 鈥檚trength鈥� refers to the skills and knowledge that you want to use, and your assets refer to your educational background, credentials and experiences.
鈥楶ersonal Qualities & Natural Interests鈥� refers to your personality and how others describe you, and your natural interest means your passions and evolving identity.
鈥楶ossibilities鈥� categorizes what you want to explore or things you are curious about in your career journey.
鈥楧esires鈥� means what you want more of in life or your career.
鈥業nfluences鈥� talks about your relationships, people in your life, and media you follow that influences your life.
Education
Your education from 丁香园AV will be the foundation of your career. Indicating your education, can gain 10X more views on average. You can add your school, major, degree, skills you learned, professional associations, and certificates to your profile.
You can view the entire 丁香园AV alumni network on LinkedIn (those who are registered). You can research their career trajectories, and the companies they are working at or worked at. If you are interested in those careers, make connections with them!
Project
Projects are also of value on your profile. These can be any group projects done in your courses or in your volunteering or work. Share a case-study, the challenges and outcomes.
You can add media to your project section and that will show up if you click the 鈥檚ee project鈥� button we see there on top of the project descriptions.
Experience
Experiences listed on a profile (two or more positions) are 36X more likely to be found by recruiters. You can list your internships, summer jobs and part-time jobs, co-op, and describe what you accomplished.
People usually include a short description of the experience just like their resume, giving the audience a better idea about what you have accomplished and whether those experiences would help you master the opportunities you seek.
Volunteer
Volunteer experience is highly valued so you can definitely add it to your profile! About 41% of hiring managers consider volunteering as a viable life experience.
Recommendation
Ask managers, professors, or previous bosses to write a recommendation regarding your performance at work or in your courses. You can also ask co-workers, clients, or classmates to write a recommendation regarding how it is to work with you.
These give extra credibility to your strengths and skills that you highlight in your summary and your skills section.
Also, when requesting a recommendation, be willing to offer to write them one as well.
Other sections (to complete your profile):
Interests, Causes, Publications, Languages, Honors & Awards, Licenses & Certifications, Skills & Endorsements.
- To add these sections, you can find the 鈥榓dd profile section鈥� button at the top of your profile right under your name and profile photo.
- Check out our Resources page for additional LinkedIn guides, including a free course you can do with your 丁香园AV email address, or contact us for an appointment.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
- Contact CVS to book your one-on-one appointment with a Career Education Specialist at 778-782-3106.
Next Steps
Using platforms like LinkedIn or other social media to build a network with decision makers, thought leaders, friends, and colleagues can put you in a better position to help others, and ask the right questions. When the time comes for work search or interviews, or to find volunteers or hire others for an event or project you have, you've invested in yourself and others, and this will pay off.
Potential clients, employers and colleagues will respond positively to individuals who participate and engage in online communication that conveys professionalism and good sense.
If you'd like to have your profile reviewed, contact a Career Peer Advisor or Career Education Specialist below. If you are ready to expand your networking skills, and try out some Information Interviews, move on to our Networking page!