On a college campus, it isn’t uncommon to hear your classmates or colleagues throw around the term LinkedIn. While some are LinkedIn pros, others may have never heard of it. Wherever you’re at, here are ten easy tips to make your profile stronger:
Create a custom URL link to your profile
When applying to jobs, some employers might ask for a direct link to your LinkedIn profile. Instead of your LinkedIn’s website having an odd string of letters and numbers attached to your profile, change your site name to be representative of you. Just look to the right of your profile, click on “Public Profile & URL,” and customize how you please.
Add skills to your profile
LinkedIn has a lot of opportunities to show off your achievements, but one area often overlooked is the skills section of your profile.
“Profiles that have skills listed are more likely to advance through the algorithm, and more people will see your section,” said Jill Romack, career services specialist for the Media School College and Career Preparation.
Ally Wolfgang, a senior at Indiana University, also expressed that general skills are good, but being more specific in what your skills are will set you apart from the rest and make you a stronger candidate. Everyone might put “attention to detail” as a skill, which is important, but listing software like Adobe Creative Suite or Microsoft Excel that shows you know attention to detail will make you stand out more.
By simply listing your skill sets in your LinkedIn profile, you give yourself a chance to be ahead of other applicants by making a small adjustment.
Google yourself
Digital footprints are real, and sometimes we don’t know all that is out there about us. Opening a private browser and taking time to complete a quick Google search about yourself will show what your future employers will see and consider during the hiring process. Ask yourself whether this is something you’d be comfortable talking about during a job interview. If not, consider removing content of yours unsuited for the job market.
Engaging with others demonstrates you are a team player
LinkedIn, at the end of the day, is a social media site, and just like how you comment on your friend’s vacation photos on Instagram or X, it is important to do the same on LinkedIn.
“Being able to congratulate other people on their accomplishments, give kudos to people who are doing great jobs,” Romack said. “That kind of thing goes a long way and shows that you care about other people, and not just yourself.”
Use LinkedIn Learning to beef up profile
In your spare time, instead of scrolling on TikTok or Instagram Reels, LinkedIn Learning is a free course for IU students that allows you to receive certifications in career-related work like Excel or leadership development. Just Google LinkedIn Learning, sign in with your IU credentials, and see all the opportunities to make yourself stand out in the hiring process.
Routinely update your profile
Like updating your Instagram to let everyone know you went to that awesome concert over the weekend, you need to update your LinkedIn. If you are an average user, take the time to update your page a couple times a semester to make sure what employers see is the most up-to-date version of you.
Cohesiveness is key
Anyone can create a LinkedIn profile, but having a profile that looks well put together shows you know how to be a professional. A clean and clear headshot as your profile photo, paired with a related overhead banner and a URL that matches your name, will make all your accomplishments stand out when they aren’t lost among a sea of mismatched aesthetics.
Sync your LinkedIn with your resume
Some employers want both your resume and your LinkedIn profile. Small inconsistencies between the two could minimize your chances of being hired.
“If you have something on your resume that doesn’t show up on your LinkedIn, I might wonder if one of them wasn’t true,” Romack said. “Or, if you have an experience on one where the dates are different than another, it just seems suspicious.”
Connections isn’t just a follow
Connecting with people on LinkedIn is a great way to find people who are in your same career field and to find job openings and career opportunities that aren’t always advertised on a job listing website. Ian Fournie, associate director for employer relations at the IU Media School, emphasized the importance of networking with alumni from your university.
“[Alumni] are so willing and so eager to help college students so [the alumni network] is a great opportunity to build that network,” Fournie said. “Everyone loves to help a college student trying to figure out their path.”
You are a student. Post like one. Class projects can do more then be an assignment
One easy way to show experience in your field without having to spend hours on top of being a student is to post your class projects on your profile. Showcasing what you created and how you either had to work independently or with a group of people shows you have career-ready skills through your education experience.
You don’t have to start your own non-profit or column website to make yourself stand out; homework can be useful beyond contributing to your overall grade in a class.
Entering a professional space like LinkedIn can be scary, and oftentimes one can compare themselves to other people online. Romack reminded students not to get caught up in other people's journey, and to follow their own.
“Remember that the person’s profile you see that looks amazing didn’t just happen overnight,” Romack said. “Don’t be intimidated by someone who is further down the path than you because at one point they also had a bare profile.”
