This document provides guidance on creating a professional LinkedIn profile for students and graduates. It discusses the differences between LinkedIn and Facebook, why a LinkedIn profile is important, and how to fill out key profile sections like the headline, photo, summary, experience, and education. Customizing the URL and adding supplementary sections are also covered. The document stresses that a complete profile is essential to be found by employers and make connections on LinkedIn.

1. How to Create a Professional
Profile on LinkedIn
For Students & Graduates

2. Overview
• LinkedIn vs. Facebook
• Why you need a LinkedIn profile
• Creating a LinkedIn profile
• Adding profile sections
• Customizing your LinkedIn profile URL
• Basic profile checklist

3. LinkedIn vs. Facebook
• LinkedIn • Facebook
– Professional social – A social network to
network connect with your
– Focused on job seekers friends
and recruitment – Focused on sharing your
personal content with
your friends

4. Why You Need a LinkedIn Profile
• It’s your professional online presence
• Opportunity to connect with other students,
alumni, and local employers
• Research companies/career paths
• Explore opportunities with local employers
that may not recruit on campus
• Learn professional networking etiquette

5. Creating Your LinkedIn Profile

6. Creating a Profile
• Fill in all sections (or as much as you can)
• LinkedIn gives you the ability to upload your
resume, however it’s best to manually fill this
information in yourself
• Completing your profile is essential:
– Shows employers that you’re knowledgeable
– Makes your profile more credible
– Gives employers and hiring managers a chance to find you

7. Creating a Profile (cont.)
• Headline: Appears directly underneath your name
and is one of the most important pieces of your
LinkedIn profile
• This affects how people will find and classify you
• Include keywords so you can easily be found
• Photo: A photo gives you more credibility. It also
allows people you have networked with in the past
to quickly identify you. It is important that your
photo is appropriate. Make it look as professional
as you can.

8. Creating a Profile (cont.)
• Summary: By stating your professional experience and
goals, others can learn quickly about your background.
• Specialties: List your areas of expertise. Use keywords
in this area.
• Experience: This section is listed in chronological order.
Your position descriptions should briefly explain your
main responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Education: This area is also listed in chronological order.
Be sure to list Bryant & Stratton College. This area can
open up valuable connections.

9. Adding Profile Sections
• Showcase your college accomplishments
– Projects
– Awards & Honors
– Organizations
– Courses
– Test Scores
– Etc.

10. Adding Profile Sections (cont.)
• From the top navigation
select “Edit Profile”
• From your profile, click
“Add Sections”

11. Adding Profile Sections (cont.)
• Select the section(s)
you would like to add to
your profile
– You can add as many as
you want
– You will need to select
them one by one
• Once you have the
section selected, click
“Add to Profile”

12. Customizing Your LinkedIn Profile URL
• From the “Edit Profile”
tab, select “Edit” directly
next to your current
LinkedIn URL
• Select “Customize your
public profile URL”
• From there you can
change it to your first and
last name
– If that is already taken, try
adding in your middle
initial

13. Your Completed Profile
• Users with 100% complete
profiles are 40 times more
likely to receive
opportunities through
LinkedIn
• You can’t build connections
if people don’t know you
exist or see what you have
to offer
• Think of your LinkedIn
profile as your online
business card, your
resume, and letters of
recommendation all in one

14. LinkedIn Basic Checklist
Headline
Profile Photo
Education
Summary
Specialties
Profile Sections
Custom URL