You’ve likely made a LinkedIn account, but never used it, or maybe you think it might not apply to your specific field of work. So what is it and why do you need one? LinkedIn is a professional social network where you can apply for jobs, stay in touch with former colleagues and managers, discover new opportunities, connect with people within your field, create a live resume, and much more. Did you know that job seekers with a completed LinkedIn account have a 71% higher chance of getting a job interview? Keep reading to learn about the top 11 sections you need to focus on when creating or updating your LinkedIn profile, with examples!

1: Choose a Professional Profile Photo & Background

One of the first things people look at on your LinkedIn page is your profile picture. Having a professional, well-lit, and confident-looking picture sets the tone for the rest of your page and can set you apart from others by creating a personal brand. Having a personal brand also makes you more memorable. Here are some quick tips to take the perfect picture: 

• Have proper lighting by going outside or in a well-lit room.
• Wear work appropriate clothing.
• Use a clutter-free, neutral background.
• Avoid group photos, selfies, and filters.
• Smile! 🙂

Your cover image should be like a billboard on the side of the road – a snapshot of what skills you bring to a company and what makes you stand out from others. Need help creating a graphic? Canva gives free access to design and has hundreds of templates to gather inspiration. To make it easier, we’ve created 3 templates you can start with.

2: Creating the Perfect Headline

Think of your headline as a physical business card. Headlines should include your current self, meaning what is your current title, a specific skill/certification/degree that will show hiring managers your qualifications, and a skill that you are passionate about. Headlines are unique for everyone and can look different from person to person, so be sure to use inspiration from others who have positions/are in the industry you want to pursue. Here is an example you can use: 

Data Analyst | SQL •  Python  • Tableau | Transforming Data into Insights

3: Writing a Concise Summary

You may have heard of an elevator pitch or the “tell me about yourself” interview question. Creating a LinkedIn summary is the same idea and will help you stand out among others. Here are a few pointers to keep it short and sweet: 

• Keep it no more than 90 seconds long. 
• Your summary should describe your background, what you currently do, and where you want to go.
• List your top 5-10 skills towards the bottom of the summary.
• Practice, practice, practice! 

Here is a sample template to help write your summary:

“My name is [insert name] and I am the [Insert job title] at [Insert company name]. I am passionate about [list 1-2 things that motivates you in your professional life]. I have a proven track record of [list 2-3 things you do within your position]. 

In my previous role at [insert company name] as the [insert previous job title], [list 2-3 things you did within your previous position]. 

A project that I am passionate and eager to share is [insert a project you have completed or are currently working on, with 2-3 sentences describing it & its value]. 

I am currently seeking new opportunities where I can use my [insert a skill(s)] and contribute to [insert your values or what gets you up in the morning].

Technical Skills: [Examples; Microsoft Suite, Adobe Suite, Canva, Salesforce] 

Professional Skills: [Examples; Project Coordination, Communications, Organized, Customer Service, Public Speaking, Data Management]

4: List your Relevant Skills

Did you know that 48% of hiring managers filter candidates through skills data? With a basic LinkedIn account, you can add up to 50 skills to showcase your skill set. Taking inventory of your skills is a valuable step in your job search—it helps you compare your ideal job to the skills you already have and identify areas for growth. Be sure to add relevent skills from the jobs you’re applying for to your LinkedIn profile so you appear at the top of search results for hiring managers. 

5: The Featured Section

The third section to appear on your LinkedIn page is the featured section. You can highlight any bodies of work that you have created to stand out to hiring managers. 59% of recruiters prefer a visual resume that demonstrates real-life examples of your work, such as a portfolio, written work, content creation via videos/graphics, presentation, and other relevant pieces specific to your industry. 

6: Adding your Work Experience 

Unlike a resume, you can add all of your work experience and bullet points on your LinkedIn page. So no more spending hours updating your resume and trying to remember what you did 5+ years ago. Here is the framework to writing bullet points on your resume:

• [Strong action verb] + [What you did] + [How it benefited the company/team].
• Resolved an average of 50+ customer inquiries daily, achieving a 98% customer satisfaction rating.

7: Education

Adding your education is important, regardless if you have a GED or high school diploma. Completing a degree shows hiring managers that you can finish what you set out to do. Are you actively pursuing your degree? You can still add that experience to your LinkedIn profile. This shows recruiters that you can successfully manage having a full/part-time job while gaining educational experience. 

8: Certifications & Licenses: Gaining the Skills you are Missing

Did you know that you are 2.9 times more likely to land an interview when including a certification on your resume? Do you find yourself applying for a specific job title, but don’t check all of the boxes they are looking for in their ideal candidate? No worries, certifications are a great way to put yourself out there in front of hiring managers and add those key skills you need to get an interview. 

Trying to save money while searching for your perfect job? SOAR has numerous (and free) certifications and programs you can utilize! 

• Code Kentucky is a 6-month training program designed for Eastern Kentuckians to start their career in the technology industry. Students can learn Web Development, Software Development, and Data Analytics skills and obtain a certification after completing the program! You’ll even get the opportunity to present your capstone project to hiring employers! 
• Generation is a 9-week program with a built-in internship, designed to train successful Software as a Service (SaaS) sales representatives, with no prior experience in sales needed. The internship pays $20 per hour, working 45 hours per week. You’ll receive assistance with resumes, job applications, mentor support, and employer connections after completing the internship. 
• Digital Skilling & Certifications Services: The Office of Jobs provides personalized appointments for your computer needs, such as learning basic computer skills and earning certifications like Microsoft and Excel.

9: Adding Projects

Have additional pieces of work you want to showcase? The projects section on your LinkedIn page is a great way to display professional projects you have been a part of. Adding your project to your LinkedIn page shows recruiters you mean what you say and they have tangible work that they can review, which can put you ahead of the competition. Below are some best tips/practices for adding relevant projects to your profile:

Best Tips: 

• Choose strong projects that highlight your best skills. 
• For the description, write 1-2 sentences describing the project, your contributions, and the outcomes/benefit that you provided to the company (if applicable).
• Include any metrics when possible, such as “increased website traffic by 40%.”
• Add your top 5 skills associated with each project. 
• Upload the actual project and any photos, videos, articles, websites, documents or presentations. 

10: Asking for Recommendations

Hate asking for recommendations? No worries! LinkedIn makes it easy to display recommendations from past coworkers, managers, college professors, or mentors. A best practice for asking recommendations is by first giving one. Starting the conversation will show your former colleagues that you are engaged and interested with their professional journey, rather than asking for yourself only. Here is a sample message to ask former colleagues for a recommendation:

Hi [Name],

I hope you are doing well and I would love to catch up sometime to see how things have been going. I wanted to let you know that I have written a recommendation for you on LinkedIn!

If you have availability, I would be grateful if you could write a recommendation for me as well. [Insert reason why you need a recommendation, such as applying for a job, school, or other reasons]. 

Thank you so much, and I am looking forward to staying connected! 

11: Including your Organizations

Showing hiring managers that you are active within your field indicates that you are serious about getting a job and that you can manage multiple opportunities. You can include any clubs, volunteer organizations, alumni networks, charities, mentorship programs, and many others. Joining organizations can also help you to expand your network and connect with professionals within the industry, making it easier to receive referrals to companies you might be interested in. 

Take your Career to the Next Level!

And that’s it! Now, you have a fully optimized LinkedIn page and are ready to stand out to hiring managers and apply for your dream job!

Join the Eastern Kentucky Talent Network and browse any open positions available here.

Need some experience to add to your LinkedIn and Resume? Check out the Code:You and Generation program and gain in-demand skills needed to land a great job.