LinkedIn Profile Checklist

Consider your audience, read your profile as they will and then edit accordingly. Provide detailed information to make it easy to find and hire you. 

1. TOP SECTION: 

  • Professional (looking) headshot- head and shoulders, non-distracting background (white or blurred), smile!  
  • Headline: specific and informative to your audience  
  • Customize the URL  
  • Background image (industry-specific, if applicable) 
  • Contact information (add email address) 

2. ABOUT:

  • Your personal story written in 1st person
  • Initial few sentence summary: who you are, type of position you’re looking for (internship, co-op, full-time), & contact info  
  • Your background (can include why you chose your major and your hands-on field-related experience – on or off campus) ◻ Co-curricular work, involvement, and leadership  
  • Other work (summer jobs, etc.)  
  • Include key words  
  • Attach your resume and other relevant media   

3. EXPERIENCE: 

  • List all related experience in the field in which you wish to work (doesn’t have to be paid employment: enterprise, senior integrated projects, class projects, research)  
  • Add relevant rich media  
  • Add your employment history (non-industry/field related)  
  • In Description area: highlight your technical, teamwork, leadership, communication & other skills  

4. EDUCATION: 

  • University/College(s) 
  • Degree, major/minor/concentration  
  • Year in school and GPA (optional) 
  • Include study abroad information if applicable (university, dates, and relevant course of study) 
  • Relevant coursework 
  • Co-curricular activities and organizations (include any leadership positions held)  

5. OTHER (Fill as much as you can to complete your profile) 

  • Licenses & certifications 
  • Volunteering 
  • Skills (choose 50 as these serve as your SEO keywords) 
  • Recommendations 
  • Honors & awards  
  • Languages 
  • Organizations  
  • Interests 
  • Causes 

Seeking more tips on how to use LinkedIn? Check out this post: Making LinkedIn Actually Work.