Build a Great LinkedIn Profle

As you make new professional connections, you need

a place to stay in contact. LinkedIn is the premier
platform for creating and maintaining your
professional online presence. On LinkedIn, you can
engage with your connections, expand your network,
and search for job and internship opportunities.

LinkedIn Best Practices Use the LinkedIn Alumni

1. Create a custom URL related to your name by going to your profile and selecting ‘Edit Search to Explore Careers
public profile & URL.’ and Network
2. Connect with people you meet at career expos and other networking opportunities within
24 hours of meeting them. Find out where your classmates and
recent OSU alums from your program are
3. When connecting with someone, send a personalized message explaining the purpose working and how they got there.
for your invitation to connect.
Search for Oregon State University’s page
Hi Xiomara– I am currently a senior studying mechanical engineering at Oregon State and click on the ‘Alumni’ tab. Then search
and hope to enter the aerospace industry upon graduation. I noticed that you are an OSU for your majors or program by keyword.
alumna with experience in this industry. I would love to connect with you and learn more You can see where the alums are, follow
about your career path. Thanks in advance! -Phuong Quynh their careers, make a list of possible
4. Follow organizations and influencers that align with your goals and values. companies and send messages to connect
with them. Your affiliation with other
5. Stay active in your network and share, like and comment on posts you find interesting.
Beavers may be your foot in the door of a
great opportunity.

Career Development Center

- Or~go~State A110 Kerr Administration Building
'9' Uruvers1ty 541-737-4085 | [email protected]
Ten Tips for a Great LinkedIn Presence

Showcase your experience and professional interests on LinkedIn.

1. Write an Informative 5. Fill ‘Skills & Expertise’ 9. Claim Your

Profile Headline with Keywords Unique LinkedIn URL
Your headline is a short, memorable This section is the place to include To increase the professional results that
professional slogan. For example, ‘Honors keywords and phrases that recruiters appear when people search for you online,
student seeking marketing position.’ search for. Find relevant ones in job listings set your LinkedIn profile to ‘public’ and
Check out the profiles of students and that appeal to you and profiles of people create a unique URL (e.g., www.linkedin.
recent alumni you admire for ideas. who have the kinds of roles you want. com/in/JohnSmith).

2. Pick an Appropriate 6. Update Your 10. Share Your Work

Photo Status Regularly You can also add actual examples of
your writing, design work, or other
LinkedIn isn’t Facebook. Upload a high- Posting updates helps you stay on your
accomplishments on your profile, where
quality photo of you alone, professionally network’s radar and build your professional
you can share rich media or documents.
dressed. No party shots, cartoon avatars or image. Mention your projects, professional
What better way to sell your skills than to
puppy pics! books or articles, or events you’re
show employers exactly what you
Profiles with photos are seven times more attending.
can produce?
likely to be viewed. Many recruiters read your feed.

3. Show Off 7. Show Your

Your Education Connectedness
Include all your schools, major(s) and minor, Groups you join appear at the bottom
courses, and study abroad or summer of your profile. Joining some shows
programs. Don’t be shy! LinkedIn is an that you want to engage in professional
appropriate place to show off your GPA, communities and learn the lingo.
test scores, and honors or awards. Start with your university and
industry groups.

4. Develop a 8. Collect Diverse

Professional Summary Recommendations
Your summary statement is like the first The best profiles have at least one
few paragraphs of your best-written cover recommendation for each position a person
letter—concise and confident about your has held. Recruiters are most impressed by
qualifications and goals. Include relevant recommendations from people who have
work and extracurriculars. directly managed you. Ask supervisors/
mentors/managers to post something on
your behalf.
Courtesy of LinkedIn.com