“Instead of using LinkedIn as a passive billboard, you can use the platform to build connections with other professionals in your niche.”
A LinkedIn profile is an important professional material. All students should have a LinkedIn profile to be competitive in the job market. This profile can be used as a more complete record of skills and achievements than the resume; to network with other students; and for students to be visible to recruiters.
The Basics
As with all professional documents, ensure that your LinkedIn profile has:
- Accurate spelling and punctuation
- Consistent tone throughout
- Working links
Compelling Introductory Information
- Professional profile photo
- Customized background image
- Catchy headline that incorporates your target role.
In this screenshot of Jasmine Williams’ LinkedIn profile, we can see that her profile picture is zoomed in on her face, that her header image shows word art relevant to her field, and that her headline includes her industry and area of expertise.
Contact Information
Ensure that all of your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. In addition, ensure that you list your professional email.
Summary Statement
A compelling summary statement is written in clear language, speaks to your experience and background, and demonstrates your professional qualifications.
Jasmine Williams’ Sample Summary Statement
Self-directed and driven behavioral health professional with comprehensive accomplishments in administrative operations, case management, and substance use and mental health treatment. Known as an innovative thinker and a highly organized, creative problem solver with strong clinical and leadership skills working within a multidisciplinary team to ensure success and achieve program goals. Recognized for implementing evidence-based practices by utilizing emerging treatment methodologies to provide quality patient care unique to each client in an outpatient setting. Expertise includes individual and group counseling, management of clinical operations, clincical supervision of staff, crisis intervention and staff recruitment.
Education
Your Education section should be in reverse chronological order with MSW degree listed first.
Experience
This section should be listed in reverse chronological order.
Each entry should include the following:
- Job title
- Company name and location
- Dates of employment
Your experience section should include your accomplishments, not just your job duties. Use results-driven bullets to highlight progress in your career.
Jasmine Williams’ Sample Experience Section
Clinical Social Work Intern
Family and Child Connections
Sept 2020- Present
Everywhere, CO
- Provide counseling and crisis intervention to families and children
- Create service provider resource guide for staff and patients to utilize
- Maintain up to date medical records to document client progress
- Conduct clinical assessments and develop plan to help develop and pursue positive life goals
Substance Abuse Social Work Intern
Medical and Behavioral Intervention
Sept 2019-May 2020
Anywhere, CO
- Observed and conducted intakes and maintained records for new patients
- Assisted with developing treatment plans to track progress towards goals
- Created and facilitated anger management group for patients in intensive outpatient program (IOP)
Skills
Your skills section should include at least 20 skills and interests. The skills should be a mixture of technical and transferable, and the interests should be a mixture of personal and professional.
Jasmine Williams’ Sample Skills
Industry Knowledge
- Social Services
- Crisis Intervention
- Behavioral Health
- Motivational Interviewing
- Case Management
- Mental Health
- Individual Counseling
- Treatment Planning
Tools and Technologies
- SPSS
- Microsoft Word
- Doxy.me
- Excel
- Google Sheets
- Salesforce
Interpersonal Skills
- Adaptable
- Innovative
- Client-Centered
- Solution-Focused
Other Skills
- Substance Use Disorders
- Relapse Prevention
- Harm Reduction
Projects and Recommendations
Include any relevant trainings listed in reverse chronological order. Also include at least 2-4 recommendations that attest to your skills and work ethic.
Jasmine Williams’ Sample Relevant Trainings and Recommendations
Jasmine has listed her Qualified Bilingual Staff Certificate in her Licenses and Certifications section, three entires in her Skills and Endorsements section, and included recommendations from one former supervisor and one former instructor.
Recommendations
Course Instructor
If you were to ask any of the other members of our cohort who has helped them the most, they would all unanimously say Jasmine. She is always first in line to put her knowledge to the test and solve problems. Jasmine is also a natural leader, yet humble enough to join the ranks, pulling her share of the heavy duties.
Former Supervisor
Jasmine is highly organized, a strong communicator, and a truly wonderful counselor. I got to work with her on a clinically supervised group and I loved hearing her solution-focused perspective on ways to manage client crises.
