LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network on the internet. You can use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. You can access LinkedIn from a desktop, LinkedIn mobile app, mobile web experience, or the LinkedIn Lite Android mobile app.
WHY SHOULD YOU CREATE A LINKEDIN PROFILE?
Here are some reasons:
- Secures a customized LinkedIn URL
- Makes lasting professional connections
- Gathers recommendations and endorsements
- Highlights honors and awards
- Showcases skills and areas of expertise
- Stands out from college competition
- Helps build a professional resume
- Connects to career and internship opportunities
So how do you build a LinkedIn profile?
- Go to linkedin.com
- Sign up for an account
- Continue with this lesson to learn tips and tricks for must have and optional profile sections
- Start making connections
MUST HAVE PROFILE SECTIONS!
Your Profile Picture
Your Headline
An informative yet catchy headline that succinctly tells people what you do now and what you’re excited about in the future.
Your Profile Summary.... in 3 steps!
Your summary should follow the 30 second rule in which it will only take a reader 30 seconds or less to read your summary. Be concise while conveying your personality and passions.
Step 1 - Who are you?
I am a Community Health Worker at XYZ Company.
Step 2 - What do you do?
I am a member of the National Association of Community Health Workers. I provide training and technical assistance to health center staff and boards to help support and strengthen our operations and governance.
Step 3 - Bring it all together
I am always seeking new learning opportunities to gain the skills and knowledge needed to create a positive impact in my community.
Your Work Experience
List the jobs you held, even if they were part-time, along with what you accomplished at each. You can also include photos and videos from your work. If this section does not apply don't include it in your profile. However as soon as you become employed, this section should be added.
Your Education
List all the educational experiences you have had.
Your Courses
List the classes that show off skills and interests you are most excited about.
Your Skills and Expertise
Add at least 5 key skills - and then your connections can endorse you for the skills they know you are best at.
OPTIONAL PROFILE SECTIONS
Your Honors and Awards
Share your accomplishments. Be sure to include the following:
- The title of your award
- Correct name of the awarding organization
- Date the award was given
- Brief description of the award
Projects
Whether you led a team assignment in school or built a prototype of a new product on your own, explain what you did and how you did it. You can also include links to the profiles of your team members.
Organizations
Be sure to include the proper name of each club and organization, your start and end dates, the position held, and a brief description of the purpose of the club.
Volunteer Experience and Causes
Employers see volunteer experience just as important as paid positions.
Check out the volunteer opportunities at the links below:
Recommendations
Ask managers, teachers, or classmates who you have worked with closely to write a recommendation. These recommendations give extra credibility to your strengths and skills.
WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
Reflection
- How will you use your LinkedIn profile to make meaningful connections?
- What was the most and least surprising things you learned about LinkedIn?
- Once created, your LinkedIn profile will stay with you throughout your education and career. What steps can you take to ensure the content you share, like, or post portrays your professionalism?
- How could inappropriate content on your LinkedIn profile impact your educational and career opportunities?
Explore the K12 Career Education Navigator
The K12 Career Technical Education (CTE) Navigator helps you explore high school courses and career pathways offered across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Browse by industry sector, county, school district, and more to find options that match your interests and career goals and see how these pathways can prepare you for college, certifications, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
Credits:
Created with images by LinkedIn Sales Navigator - "untitled image" • Unknown - "futuristic-digital-woman image - Free stock photo - Public ..." • Florian Klauer - "vintage typewriter" • Cytonn Photography - "untitled image" • Giorgio Trovato - "untitled image" • Unknown - "Raspberry Pi Prototype - ChickBot" • Unknown - "Free illustration: Silhouettes, Network, Networking - Free ..."