LinkedIn Profiles
With over 750 million users, LinkedIn is a great way to connect with peers, those in similar industries and graduate employer networks. Check out our top tips on setting up your LinkedIn profile.
1. Start with a professional profile photo
Make sure you pick a photo that looks like you, is recent and shows what you look like at work. The ideal size for your LinkedIn profile picture is 400x400 pixels and try to use a high resolution image where your face takes up at least 60% of the frame. You should also be in the only person in the picture and avoid distracting backgrounds, have a welcoming expression, avoid filters and take the photo in a soft, natural light.
2. Create a summary about yourself
Make your profile stand out by adding a headline, stating your current position or industry of expertise. Writing a summary in the ‘About’ section of your profile is also a great way to get noticed and is the perfect place to express your passion and within your chosen industry as well as what skills you have.
3. Add work and education to your profile
From school and university to your previous and current positions, keep your profile updated with what you have done in the past and what you’re doing now. This is a great way to keep your network updated as well as potential employers, and will also get you connected with peers and colleagues in your industry.
4. Upload your recent work or portfolio
You can easily add media samples to your LinkedIn profile, so if you have a work portfolio or samples of your work, you can add them to your profile for your network, and future employers, to take a look at.
5. Show off your skills
Your LinkedIn profile is the perfect place to shout about all your skills. The ‘skills’ section of your profile is there for you to add relevant skills, and is a great way to showcase your abilities to your network. Once you have added skills, your LinkedIn connections can also endorse them, increasing the likelihood of you being discovered. You can also take assessments for the skills you’ve listed on your profile to showcase your proficiency.
6. Get posting
Keep things fresh on your LinkedIn profile by doing regular status updates. This is a great way to keep your network up to date with what you’re getting up to at work, share interesting and relevant content that your peers and colleagues will enjoy and get yourself out there.
7. Start joining groups and extending your network
You should also join groups and follow companies that you admire to get relevant content popping up on your feed. You never know who you could meet by joining groups, so it’s worth making the effort to get involved.
8. Ask your connections for a shout out
Once your LinkedIn profile is looking good with all your relevant information, you can request recommendations from your connections. A recommendation is written to commend a connection, such as a colleague or a student. Once you accept a recommendation written by a connection, it becomes visible to your network. Recommendations are a great way to show what you’re good at without blowing your own trumpet.
9. Keep an eye on your profile strength meter
You can use your profile strength meter to gauge the strength of your profile. If there’s more you could be doing to make your profile stand out, make sure you put some time aside to work on it. LinkedIn can bring many opportunities your way, so the time and effort is worth it.
10. Connect with your classmates and lecturers
Don’t forget, the BCU LinkedIn page is a great way to keep up with the latest news and opportunities from us as well as a perfect opportunity to connect with your classmates, peers and potential employers.