“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 Lindsey DesRochers’ LinkedIn profile, we can see that her profile picture is zoomed in on her face, that her header image shows abstract photography, 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.
Sample Summary Statement
A dedicated and high-energy communications expert with a background in advertising, public relations, and technical writing. Certified by the AMA and the PRSA; I have deep insight into the communication experience. I am familiar with traditional communications and advertising strategies, as well as how to adapt them to best suit every 21st century organization’s needs.
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.
Sample Experience Section
Advertising Policy Manager
Social Media Platform
August 2016-Present
- Develop advertising policies that align with global policy
- Identify gaps and problem areas in policies and propose revisions
- Support brand by delivering training and conducting quality analysis
- Establish early warning, prevention, and control of advertising industry risks
Internal Communications Specialist
Medical Nonprofit
August 2014-August 2016
- Writing and editing content and related material as required
- Writing social media content
- Building and testing blast emails in Active Campaign
- Creating blog content in WordPress
- Editing and formatting documents in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint
Education
Your Education section should be in reverse chronological order, including any boot camps as certificates.
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.
Sample Skills
Industry Knowledge
- Social Media
- Business Strategy
- Project Management
- Customer Service
- Marketing
- Market Analysis
- Web Design
- Adobe Captivate/Photoshop
Tools and Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Jira
- Microsoft Office
- Slack
- Hootsuite
- Print Production
Interpersonal Skills
- Conflict Management
- Leadership
- Team Building
- Problem Solving
Other Skills
- G-Suites
- Confluence
- Tech-savvy
Projects and Recommendations
Include at least 2-3 projects or features with working links. Also include at least 2-4 recommendations that attest to your skills and work ethic.
Projects and Recommendations Sample Section
Lindsey has listed a project in her Featured section, and included recommendations from one coworker and one fellow student.
Former Coworker
Lindsey is a natural leader and has a keen sense of detail. She and I worked together on various project concepts, where she showcased excellent analytical and communication skills. She is thorough, organized, and very reliable.
Former Program Colleague
If you were to ask any of the other members of our cohort who has helped them the most, they would all unanimously say Lindsey. She is always first in line to put her knowledge to the test and solve problems. Lindsey is also a natural leader, yet humble enough to join the ranks, pulling her fair share of heavy duties.
