Creating a LinkedIn Profile
ECRC
Engineering Career Resource Center
Contact info:
Erin Rook, Program Coordinator ECRC
ECRC ONLINE 1524
([email protected])
Creating a LinkedIn Profile
This presentation is created by the Wayne State
University College of Engineering Career
Resource Center to provide insight and tips for
job interviews.
What is Linkedin?
Linkedin is a professional networking site that
allows users to connect with people, groups,
companies, organizations, and jobs to grow and
enhance their professional network.
A Linkedin profile is essentially a dynamic, virtual
resume. When your Linkedin profile is complete,
you can use it to supplement your resume when
applying for jobs and to show off your skills to
potential employers.
Linkedin Stats
Registering
1. Go to www.linkedin.com
2. Create an Account
Note: Before registering your
account, make sure you have
a professional sounding e-mail
address.
Ex: [email protected] or
[email protected]
*It is not recommended to use
your school e-mail address, as
you may not always have access to your school e-mail after graduation.
Creating a Profile
Once you have registered, you will need to confirm your account via your
e-mail and then follow through several prompts. As you go through the
prompts, the information you provide will begin populating your profile. You
can always edit this through the main page later.
*Your Linkedin profile is essentially your resume, only more dynamic and interactive,
so be detailed!
1.Select “Profile” from the top tabs, then click “Edit Profile”
a)
You will need to fill in your education, work experience, clubs,
professional photo, skills, etc. to complete your profile.
Professional Headline
Your professional headline will either default to your current work
title, or you may select the edit icon next to your headline (below
your name) to insert your own headline.
*For job seekers, you may want to make your professional headline similar to an objective
statement. Ex: “Civil Engineering Graduate Student at Wayne State University seeking a position
working within a larger state-operated department of transportation.”
Education
• Include all of your education after high
school/secondary school.
• Make sure to include the name of the institution, your
program, and your level of education (undergrad,
graduate, PhD)
•
You will also have the option for including published/non-published
work project to your Linkedin if you choose – this can include
engineering projects you completed for a course. This can be done
using the “ADD MEDIA” icons.
Work Experience
Include the company, your title, and your main responsibilities for
all of your current/previous jobs.
Make sure to describe 4-6 duties you had at each role. Describe these
duties using powerful action verbs just like on your resume.
– Example: If part of your job was
to fill out documents and enter data
into the computer using Excel you could
write, “Documented all findings and
entered data into MS Excel.”
– You can also add samples of your
work, if you chose. This can be done
using the “ADD MEDIA” icon.
Skills
Make sure you are adding skills that you
have that are relevant to the job(s) you are
applying for.
Skills can include computer programs you use,
mathematical skills, soft skills (communication,
teamwork, etc.), analytical skills, or more specific
skills to a particular engineering discipline (Ex:
oscilloscope, flow meters, etc.)
*Your connections can endorse you for your top
skills, showing employers and others who view your
profile that you are highly skilled in those areas.
Connections
Once your profile is complete, begin searching for
contacts you may know through schools, work,
extracurricular activities, etc.
–
This includes professors, classmates, coworkers, supervisors, etc.
*Remember, these are professional connections only!
1.Connect with your contacts in a professional way using the “Connect” button next
to their profile. (For some connections, you may need to send them an “Inmail”
explaining who you are if you do not have the option for connecting based on their
privacy settings.)
NOTE: Any time you view another person’s Linkedin profile they will get a message
saying, “(Your Name) visited your profile.”
Groups, Companies
Linkedin allows you to join groups and follow companies, leaders, important people,
etc.
You can join groups related to your field of study and your career interest.
Follow companies you may be interested in working for, or companies that are doing
things you may want to hear about related to your education work interests.
–
Posts from companies, groups, etc. that you follow will (along w/ the connections you have)
populate your “news feed” each time you sign onto Linkedin.
Picture
Choosing a picture on Linkedin is very important. Unlike other
social media sites such as Facebook, your Linkedin profile is
used primarily for career networking. This means your picture
should be professional.
– Choose a photo that only features you (not multiple people).
Headshots are best, ensuring you are wearing professional clothing
and have a well-lit photograph. This is the first glimpse of you an
employer may have, so make sure you make a great impression!
Volunteer Experience, Honors & Awards, Organizations,
Courses, Test Scores, Language, etc.
– Linkedin offers several other features that allow you to share your
accomplishments and interests. These features can be used to
enhance your profile, and really give a bigger view of who you are
to a person. Make sure you are honest, and don’t feel bad about
having to skip over some features for now. It is a good place to see
what areas you may want to focus on as you grow professionally.
• TIP: Imagine an employer visits your Linkedin account while
considering your resume, the employer will be able to see far more
about you than you have room to disclose on your resume.
• TIP: While it is important to show some of your interests outside of
work, remember to stay professional and neutral when liking and
following on Linkedin. (Ex: Liking “Budweiser Beer” on Linkedin w/o
working in the food and beverage industry may look unprofessional)
Other Important Tips
Just like your resume, your Linkedin account is a “living document”. This means that as
you change, your profile should also change. Add courses as you take them, update your
work experience, continue to connect and network with individuals in your field.
–
–
Include the link to your Linkedin profile on your resume. This allows employers to take a further look
at you if they are interested – beyond a single sheet of paper.
You can utilize Linkedin in many ways besides networking and building an online portofilo. One of the
key feature of Linkedin is looking for job.
•
•
–
Finding jobs on Linkedin provides another venue for your job search. Utilize the “jobs” icon to begin your
search.
You can also create your own groups (both public and private) on Linkedin based on your interests and
situation. For example, if you start a new student organization at your college, you could set up a
professional Linkedin group for that organization. Students and faculty involved in that organization
could use your group to communicate, network, etc.
When you add skills to your profile you are allowing employers to search for prospective employees
by searching a specific skill set.
•
You can also be “endorsed” for your skills by your connections. This allows employers to see firsthand
how other people have validated your skills in a particular area.