“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 relevant 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.
Sample Summary Statement
Solutions-savvy UX/UI designer with a track record of success as a graphic designer combining creativity and usability viewpoints to design web, mobile, and tablet applications. Thrives on collaboration to create compelling user experiences to improve brand loyalty, customer retention, and visit-to-order ratios. Specializes in user research, usability testing, and interaction design.
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.
Sample Experience
Graphic Designer
ABC Company
Jun 2019 – Present
- Provide proposal layout and design for high-impact clients
- Successfully completed design projects worth up to $500,000
- Exemplified leadership skills in discussions with design team
- Established trusting relationships with key stakeholders
Co-Owner & Senior Photographer
Moments In Time Photography
Oct 2018 – Jan 2019
- Managed all social media accounts for the business with a response time of under 24 hours
- Designed company brand and design of all business resources
- Successfully hired photography staff with 89% retention
- Maintained 98% client satisfaction rating
- Voted “Best Family Photographer 2010” by Magazine Name residence and readers
Education
Like the Experience section, this should be listed in reverse chronological order. Include your completed program listed as a certificate.
Sample Education Section
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
- Agile Methodologies
- User-Centric Design Research
- Prototyping
- Wireframing
- Product Management
- Marketing Concepts
- Web Deployment
- Storyboarding
Tools and Technologies
- Adobe
- HTML
- GitHub
- jQuery
- JavaScript
- CSS
- Bootstrap
Interpersonal Skills
- Adaptable
- Presentation Skills
- Collaboration
Other Skills
- Programming Languages
- Research
- Keynote
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.
Sample Projects and Recommendations
Ryan has included three working projects, as well as a recommendation from a former teacher and a former fellow program student.
Former Teacher
I had the pleasure of teaching Ryan for six months during the ECF Coding program. Every week he showed up to class with enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Furthermore, Ryan proved himself a hard worker with excellent problem solving and technical skills.
Former Fellow Program 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 Ryan. He is always first in line to put his knowledge to the test and solve problems. Ryan is also a natural leader, yet humble enough to join the ranks, pulling his fair share of heavy duties.
