A Competitive Social Work LinkedIn Sample

female social worker with hand on older man's shoulder

“Instead of using LinkedIn as a passive billboard, you can use the platform to build connections with other professionals in your niche.”

– Forbes.com

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.

A screenshot shows what the finalized About section of a LInkedIn profile looks like.

Contact Information

Ensure that all of your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. In addition, ensure that you list your professional email.

LinkedIn contact settings example

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.

A LinkedIn Screenshot shows sample student Jane Doe's education history in reverse chronological order.

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)
A screenshot shows what a finalized version of the Experience section in a LinkedIn profile will look like.

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.

A screenshot shows the finalized Licenses, Endorsements, and Recommendations sections of a LinkedIn profile.

From Health to Happiness: The Evolution of Employer Benefits

The landscape of employer benefits has experienced a dramatic transformation from its modest beginnings to the impressive array we see in the modern job market. It’s important to recognize the disparities in benefit offerings across various job sectors, a factor that can significantly influence career choices.

Help Us Improve