BUILDING YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE Employers use social media to target applicants and learn more about them. Make sure your social media presence is professional and targeted.
REQUIRED CONTENT
SKILLS
Make sure your LinkedIn profile covers all of the basics.
Include both hard and soft skills Research phrases most associated with certain industries
HEADSHOT Be sure you are nicely dressed, alone in the photo, in front of a non-distracting background
and highlight key words Endorse people you know well or have worked with for their
HEADLINE Short, memorable, professional slogan that highlights your skills and accomplishments as well as what you are seeking “Student at Bentley University” is not a strong headline because it does not promote your unique strengths
GROUPS AND COMPANIES OF INTEREST Join the Bentley University Community LinkedIn Group
SUMMARY Concise, confident statement about your skills, qualifications and goals
OPTIONAL CONTENT
Include information about your education and experience and build on your headline Approximately 3-6 sentences and written in the first person EXPERIENCE Treat this section as you would the Experience section on your resume Include any job, internship, research or leadership experience that is relevant or significant Include the names of the organizations, job titles, dates and locations Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments HINT: If you have done a great job on your resume and it has been reviewed, copy / paste the bullets directly into LinkedIn – no need to recreate the wheel!
skills – they may return the favor
Follow companies of interest to learn more about the company, stay up-to-date on company news, find jobs, and review connections at the company
Take your LinkedIn profile to the next level by including any of the following sections that are applicable VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Highlight your passions and how you like to give back Include the names of the organizations, job titles, dates and locations Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS • Showcase your expertise with any relevant credentials you have earned ACCOMPLISHMENTS Can include Publications, Courses, Projects, Honors & Awards, Test Scores, Languages, Organizations and more ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EDUCATION List all of your institutions of higher education, including study
Did you know you can ask your connections to write you a recommendation?
abroad and schools transferred from (if applicable) Include your Degree, Field of study, Dates attended, and Activities and Societies 14
