Office of Student Life
Career Resource Guide

Manage Your Online Professional Profiles

Managing your online job profiles is crucial as you are building your professional network. Before you start connecting with other professionals, however, you should ensure that your profile is up-to-date and as complete as possible. According to LinkedIn, members with complete profiles are 40x more likely to receive opportunities on the platform. 

When done correctly, networking online includes more than simply reaching out cold to strangers. Make it a habit to add classmates, coworkers, staff, and faculty on LinkedIn to stay connected. This can also be a great practice after meeting new people at networking events or professional development opportunities, like conferences. 

Consider the following tips as you are connecting. Remember that, depending on the platform you are on and the settings that are available, these tips may not be applicable to every website: 

  • Use an appropriate photo: To increase your response and referral rates, pay special attention to your profile picture. While your photo should look like you and should make you feel confident, it should also reflect what you look like within a professional setting. Ask a friend to take your photo and don't forget to smile! According to LinkedIn, one study of 800 profile pictures found that people view you as more likable, competent, and influential if you smile in your pic. 
  • Write an informative and catchy profile headline: You should aim for a short, memorable professional "slogan." When writing your headline, consider the following: what is the one thing you want a recruiter, hiring manager, or future co-worker to know about you?
  • Craft a great summary: This is the time to tell your story! Just make sure you tell it concisely. You should include your experiences, qualifications, and goals. You can also share what motivates you, what your skills are, and what makes you unique. 
  • Highlight your experience: List jobs you've held and include a brief description. When writing the descriptions, focus on your responsibilities and the outcomes. If you don't have a lot of experience, you can include part-time, unpaid, or volunteer work. 
  • Add additional information: Specifically on LinkedIn, sections that may be useful include Honors and Awards, Classes of Interest, Languages, Certifications, and Team Projects. You can also add undergraduate research experience or other research opportunities if applicable.