“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 background shows a technical illustration, 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.
Lindsey DesRochers’ Sample Summary Statement
Analyst with a background in computer science, a certificate in Cyber & Network Security from Georgia Tech, and a CompTIA Security+ certification. An effective problem solver who brings both technical aptitude and an understanding of business processes. Security enthusiast and Ascension’s 2019 Top Collaborator winner, motivated by collaboration, innovation, and cross-team knowledge-sharing to ensure compliance with security best practices.
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 previous project management experience.
Lindsey DesRochers’ Sample Experience Section
Security Analyst
Microsoft
Jun 2019 – Present
- Developed and institutionalized, strategic process to ensure accurate assessment of security baseline remains current to DOD compliance standards.
- Identified on-board/off-board gap impacting Access Management, resolved by updating organizational procedure shortfalls.
- Formulated resolution of highly visible vulnerabilities identified during Command Cyber Readiness Inspection, resulting in exceeding milestone date expectations.
- Reduced reporting and resolution time of Host Based Security System (HBSS) deficiencies by 68%.
Computer Support Specialist IT Company
Oct 2018 – Jan 2019
- Investigated and troubleshooted problematic issues while exceeding team timeline expectations with a 15 hour average for solving cases
- Earned the highest satisfaction rating from a crucial long-term client
Education
Like the Experience section, this should be listed in reverse chronological order. Include your boot camp listed as a certificate.
Lindsey DesRochers’ Sample Education Section
Because Lindsey has a degree and professional certificates, she’s separated her Education section to bring attention to both.
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.
Lindsey DesRochers’ Sample Skills
Industry Knowledge
- Analytical Skills
- Data Analysis
- Computer Science
- Analytics
- Programming
- Business Process
- Disaster Recovery
- Penetration Testing
Tools and Technologies
- NoSQL
- Hashcat
- Python
- Linux
- Kali Linux
- Wireshark
Interpersonal Skills
- Problem Solving
- Team Planning
Other Skills
- Programming Languages
- Metasploit
- Linux Server Configuration
- Data Manipulation
- Burp Suite
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.
Lindsey DesRochers’ Sample Projects and Recommendations
Lindsey has included three working projects, as well as a recommendation from a former teacher and a former fellow boot camp student.
Former Teacher
I had the pleasure of teaching Lindsey for six months during the ECF Coding boot camp. Every week she showed up to class with enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Furthermore, Lindsey proved herself a hard worker with excellent problem solving and technical skills.
Former Fellow Boot Camp Student
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.
