LinkedIn Profile Checklist
LinkedIn is an effective tool to build your network, but only if you are using it! The first step to leveraging your LinkedIn account is setting up an inviting profile. Use this checklist as a guide to update your LinkedIn profile
- Add a professional profile photo
- Dress the part: wear an appropriate outfit for your desired industry
- Smile!
- Crop the image to focus from your shoulders up
- Have a stand-out headline
- Include your desired job in your headline! Don’t have experience with this field yet? It’s okay to say “Aspiring ______”
- Include keywords in your about section
- Find keywords essential to your ideal job
- Include your accomplishments to make your profile stand out
- Show off your experience!
- List your jobs/internships
- Include bullet points that highlight your accomplishments in the description
- Education
- Add your degree(s) including any minors or certificates
- Optional to include: extracurriculars, leadership opportunities, study abroad, honors/awards
- Match skills to that of your desired role
- Display the top skills from your dream job descriptions. Include at least 5
- Maintain your brand
- Match your name to resume (if using nickname/preferred name)
- Edit your profile link to your name to shorten and clean up the URL as this is the link you will share on your resume. Read instructions on how to make this update here.
- Set your location to where you want to work
- Begin to like/comment/share/add posts!
- Make connections and join groups
- Connect with people you already know, such as the SMUMN community, co-workers, and family & friends
- Connect with alumni who you want to know. Use the LinkedIn Alumni Tool to search SMUMN alumni.
- Connect with, companies you are excited about
- Join groups/associations affiliated with your target organizations
- Get career ready
- Turn on your open to work signal
- Get a recommendation
- Follow us for career tips, and insights into our office.
Need more help? Contact us at: careerservices@smumn.edu