“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 technical 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
A dedicated and high-energy Project Manager with a background in technical program management, e-commerce and customer service. Certificates in Professional Scrum Master Level I and Technical Project Management from University, where I gained deeper insight into business software development, traditional project management and waterfall development, project management operations, hybrid project management, as well as agile methodologies and scrum framework.
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 Section
Product Strategist
Microsoft
June 2019 – Present
Seattle, WA
- Conduct quarterly product research to assess performance.
- Understand and communicate client needs to identify proactive solutions to resolve organizational product shortfalls.
- Formulate and design long-term goals with a 20% increase in production of successful products that sell.
- Increased client satisfaction rating by 23% within the first year with an average of 87%.
Client Experience Specialist
IT Company
October 2015-January 2018
Everywhere, CA
- Answered high volume of member requests. Responded to 500+ client inquiries and resolved product concerns and questions.
- Earned the highest satisfaction rating from a crucial long-term client.
Education
Like the Experience section, this should be listed in reverse chronological order. Include your program and list any certificated program (such as a boot camp) as a certificate.
Sample Education Section
Because Lindsey has a degree and professional certificates, she’s separated her Education section to bring attention to both.
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
- Business Process Improvement
- Risk Analysis
- Meeting Facilitation
- Scope Management
- Project Planning
- Resource Budgets
- Stakeholder Management
Tools and Technologies
- Agile/Scrum
- Jira
- Microsoft Office
- SQL
- Slack
- Wrike
Interpersonal Skills
- Conflict Management
- Leadership
- Team Building
- Problem Solving
Other Skills
- Microsoft Suites
- Confluence
- Tech-savvy
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
Lindsey has listed her program certificate in her Featured section, and included recommendations from one former coworker and one fellow program student.
Recommendations
Coworker
Lindsey is a natural leader and has a keen sense of detail. She and I worked together on various software development project concepts, where she showcased excelled analytical and communication skills. She is thorough, organized, and very reliable.
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 Lindsey. She is always first in line to put her knowledge to the test and solve problems. Lindsey is also a natural leader, yet humble enough to join the ranks, pulling her fair share of heavy duties.
