LinkedIn Profile Tips: Small details make a big impact
Before college, I was lost when it came to creating a LinkedIn account. However, throughout my first year I accumulated numerous tips and tricks for making a productive profile. I have found LinkedIn is a vital source when connecting with people on a personal level and a professional level. In fact, LinkedIn is the reason I am a Pearson Campus Ambassador and I could not be more excited to share my secrets of forming an impressive account!
Keep it current
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to always keep your account updated. It may not be the first thing on your mind, but adding new jobs and experiences to your profile regularly will keep potential employers informed and intrigued. If you no longer work for a certain job, make sure it is not in your headline anymore.
Pick your picture
Another fundamental step is choosing the right profile picture. Your photo should be professional and only of you, rather than a picture of you and your friends on vacation. This does not mean you have to pay for a professional headshot by any means, but it would be a great idea to put on a nice top and ask a talented friend to take a quick photo of you. My profile picture was taken by my friend’s mom over the summer, free of charge.
Personalize it
The final trick that not many people are aware of is you can personalize your LinkedIn URL. One of my professors last year taught me that when you first create a LinkedIn account they will automatically assign you to a URL, and it might have an unnecessary amount of random letters following your name. You can go into settings and shorten it to anything you want, most likely a variation of your first and last name. Now you can add this URL to your resume and employers will be able to find your account with much more ease. Also, a short URL looks much more appealing on your resume than tons of random letters!
From choosing the perfect profile picture to creating the most intriguing headline possible, every detail matters. Log on to LinkedIn and explore all it has to offer. I wish you luck in your LinkedIn journey and I hope these small tips and tricks can help you build an unmatched professional network.
About the author
Rachel Hutchinson
Rachel Hutchinson is a sophomore at the University of Colorado Boulder studying Business Administration and is pursuing a Business Leadership Certificate. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and trying new coffee shops. She loves being involved on campus, especially in her business school. This is her first year being a Pearson Campus Ambassador on her campus and she is really enjoying the position!
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