A Winning LinkedIn Profile

The good news is most of us here in Isenberg have LinkedIn profiles. We’ve got a solid number of connections, a profile pic, and a myriad of random endorsements. But giving your LinkedIn some love and spicing it up with these four tips can be what distinguishes you from other potential hires. Check out these ideas for further establishing your brand in a professional setting.

Jazz Up Your Headline

Your LinkedIn headline is one of (if not, the) first thing that a recruiter will see on your profile, so make sure it stands out! Think about it as a way to control a first impression; what do you want people to know about you? What reaction do you want them to have? If your headline currently reads: “Intern at State Street” then you’re putting recruiters to sleep; they can get this information just by scrolling down. Use this avenue as a way to address what you do in a creative way. Remember this is the first thing recruiters are going to read, so don’t be boring! Make yourself stand out and show off those creative writing skills!

Tell a Story with Your Summary

Apart from the limited headline space, the summary is the only component of your LinkedIn profile where you can really tell recruiters who you are and what you want to do. By doing this, your summary reflects your personality and demonstrates your writing skills. The tough part, though, is figuring out where to start. Chase's Kim Figueroa gave the most helpful advice: think about how your mom would describe you and where your interests and career goals originated. Ultimately, your summary is an avenue through which you tell the story of how your interests led you to your career path.

Polish It Off

Make your profile look clean and attended to. This may seem dull, you may think that a recruiter won’t notice a neat and orderly profile. But that’s the point. If the alternative is a sloppy and thrown together profile, which recruiters will notice, then cleanliness is critical to maintaining a positive impression. You don’t have to go crazy, but dedicate some time to each entry. Don’t just copy and paste your resume; talk about what each position did for you. Remember to proofread!

Really Get to Know LinkedIn 

LinkedIn is a hugely valuable resource, so it’s beneficial to know all that it provides! Spend some time roaming the site and learning the ins and outs. There are interesting articles to read and jobs to sift through. You may find the perfect company for you on LinkedIn that you never knew existed before! We all know the job market is competitive, but utilizing resources to the best of their ability is another way to get a leg up!

Article by Julia Malloy