LinkedIn

Start by going to linkedin.com and clicking “Join now.”

Tips for account setup:

• Use your full name to demonstrate professionalism and make it easy for colleagues to find you.
• Register with a personal but professional-looking email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@gmail.com).
• Choose a strong password and enable two-factor authentication for account security.
• Specify your current location and industry—this helps recruiters and professionals in your area find you.

Your profile photo is the first impression people get—it builds trust and credibility.

Contact Career Services to inquire about free professional photo opportunities.

Photo guidelines:

• Use a high-resolution headshot with your face centered and clearly visible.
• Wear business-appropriate clothing based on your industry.
• Choose a neutral or tidy background.
• Smile or use a neutral expression to appear approachable.

Cover Image guidelines:

• Should be related to your profession or your personal brand
• Something that can show your personality, skills, values, and/or achievements.
• Potential ideas include: quotes, your workspace, city landscape, yourself in action, a cause or mission, and more.

Note: LinkedIn reports that users with profile pictures receive 21x more views and 36x more messages.

Your headline appears right under your name and is visible in searches, comments, and connection invites.

Tips for a great headline:

• Don’t just list your job title — explain what you do or what you bring to the table.
• Include keywords relevant to your field.
• Keep it under 220 characters.

Examples:

• Aspiring Data Analyst | SQL • Excel • Python | Passionate about turning data into actionable insights
  
• Marketing Student @UNLV| Social Media Enthusiast| Future Brand Manager

The “About” section is your chance to tell your professional story and show your personality.

What to include:

• A short intro: Who you are and what you do.
• Career highlights or milestones.
• Skills or industries you specialize in.
• A line about what you’re seeking (jobs, collaborations, etc.).
• End with a call to action—invite readers to connect or message you.
  

Note: Put the most important information you want people to know in the first three lines. When someone views your LinkedIn page, only the first three lines of your about me is visible without clicking on see more.

Example format:

I am an English major with a passion for editing, content creation, and SEO. I enjoy crafting clear, engaging content, refining writing for impact, and supporting other creators in bringing their ideas to life. I am open to internships or entry-level opportunities in publishing, media, or digital marketing.

Let’s connect!

Your work history should go beyond job descriptions—focus on achievements and outcomes.

Best practices:

• Use reverse chronological order (most recent job first).
• For each role, include:
  • Job title
  • Company name
  • Dates of employment
  • Location (city/state)
  • 3–5 bullet points highlighting your impact
• Use strong action verbs and quantify results when possible.
  

Example:
Customer Support Specialist – Zappos (Las Vegas, NV) | Jan 2025 – Present

• Resolved 100+ customer inquiries weekly while maintaining a 97% satisfaction rating
• Implemented new knowledge base article system, reducing ticket volume by 20%
• Trained and mentored 3 new team members, improving onboarding efficiency

List your educational background, even if it’s not directly related to your current career path.

Include:

• Degree or certification earned (formatted in bold font)
• Dates attended (particularly the month/year of the graduation date or anticipated graduation date; optional if you’re not a recent grad)
• School name
• School location (city/state)
• GPA (optional; may want to include if 3.0 or above, or if it is required for an application)
• Honors, clubs, or activities

University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | GPA: 3.7
Activities: Psi Chi Honor Society, Peer Mentor Program

Your skills section affects how you show up in recruiter searches.

Tips:

• Add at least 10–15 relevant skills (LinkedIn allows up to 50).
• Prioritize industry keywords (e.g., “JavaScript,” “User Research,” “Grant Writing”).
• Rearrange your top 3 most important skills — these are shown first.
• Get endorsements from coworkers, peers, or classmates.

Recommendations add credibility and provide social proof of your work ethic.

How to ask:

• Contact people you’ve worked with closely (supervisors, teammates, professors).
• Personalize your request and suggest what you’d like them to mention.
• You might like to try writing them a recommendation first, as they may return the favor.

Example message:

Hi [Name], I really enjoyed working together on [project] at [company]. If you’re open to it, I’d really appreciate it if you wouldn’t mind writing a short LinkedIn recommendation highlighting our collaboration. If you’re comfortable with that, I’d be more than happy to return the favor!

What makes a good recommendation:

• Specific details about how you worked together
• A brief summary of your skills, attitude, and impact
• Authentic, professional tone

Make your profile easier to share by editing your URL:

• Click “Edit public profile & URL” on the top right of your profile page.
• Choose a clear, consistent version of your name (e.g., linkedin.com/in/janedoe).
• Avoid numbers, random strings, or nicknames.

Use this link in email signatures, resumes, business cards, and portfolios.

• Never use the default message.
• Explain how you found them and why you’re sending them a message.

Example:

Hi [name], I’m a recent [major name] graduate exploring careers in [your industry]. I really admire your work at [company] and would love to connect and learn more about your journey.

• Like, comment, or share content related to your field.
• Support others’ successes—it strengthens relationships.
• Be insightful in comments; this can catch others’ attention.

• Look for professional groups in your industry or interest area.
• Introduce yourself when joining.
• Participate in discussions or ask thoughtful questions.

• Most industries have a professional association that discusses current trends, practices, etc.
• Following companies in your industry to find people to potentially network with and see what jobs that are being posted

• After meeting someone in person or online, send a brief follow-up note.
• Ask if you can continue your conversation from your first meeting [as appropriate]

Example:

Hi [name], it was great meeting you at the [name of event]. I appreciated your insights on product development. I’d love to stay connected and perhaps chat sometime about your work at [company].

An informational interview is a one-on-one conversation with someone in a role you’re interested in. It’s an opportunity to gain insights into their career, industry trends, and advice on breaking into the field. Find more information about informational interviewing here: Network with Employers

• Keep it short and respectful.
• Be specific about what you admire or want to learn.
• Make it easy to say yes (15–20 mins, flexible time).
• Never ask for a job—focus on learning.

Example 1 – Direct and Polite:

Hi [Name], thanks for connecting! I’m currently [your role/interest] and really admire your work at [Company]. If you have 15–20 minutes sometime, I’d love to ask you a few questions about your career path and experience in [industry].

Example 2 – Student Version:

Hi [Name], I’m a [student status] studying [major], and I’m really interested in [field]. Your role at [Company] stood out to me. Would you be open to a 15–20 minute chat so I can learn more about your journey and advice for someone starting out?

Example 3 – Shared Background:

Hi [Name], I noticed we both [went to the same school / worked at X / are in the same field], and I admire your work at [Company]. I’m exploring similar roles and would really value 15 minutes of your insight if you’re open to it!

• Post a career update, share an article, or celebrate a milestone at least once a month.
• Comment on colleagues’ posts to stay engaged in their radar.

Note: Think of LinkedIn as your professional reputation in motion—the more you contribute, the more opportunities you create.