Using LinkedIn for Your Internship or Job Search
Creating Your LinkedIn Profile
Creating Your LinkedIn Profile
If you’re new to LinkedIn, the first thing you’ll need to do to successfully connect with others is create an account and build your online profile. The LinkedIn profile is essentially your online “resume” and how you present yourself to the rest of the users on the site. Create a clear, accurate profile and make sure you fill out every section.
- Upload a photo. Make sure it is professional and appropriate.
- Include your profile in your email signature so your contacts can see your LinkedIn and add you as a connection as you communicate with them.
- Create a professional headline. This is extremely important, so make sure it is accurate and specific. For example, “Student at XYZ University” or “Assistant at ABC, Inc.” does not tell people as much about you as “Recent Master of Architecture Graduate,” or “Marketing Assistant, Global Projects Division at ABC Inc.”
- Make your profile privacy settings public. This means you will appear in searches more frequently, so keep your profile appropriate, accurate, and updated since the world of LinkedIn can see it.
- Detail your education and professional experience completely but concisely. Be sure to include details about the positions you held, such as responsibilities and accomplishments, and not just your job titles.
- Highlight your recent internship/training experience in the U.S.! For some tips on how to meaningfully include your internship as a part of your profile, check out our Guide to Leveraging Your International Internship In Your Future Job Search.
