Think of LinkedIn as your professional landing page. When a recruiter searches for candidates, your profile is competing with millions of others. The good news? Most profiles are terrible, so a little effort goes a long way.
LinkedIn Statistics That Matter
Profile Photo Best Practices
No photo = no trust. Profiles with photos get 21x more views. You don't need a professional headshot (though it helps)—just a clear, friendly photo where you look like someone a hiring manager would want to work with.
Do's
- Use a high-resolution headshot (400x400px minimum)
- Face takes up 60-70% of the frame
- Smile naturally and make eye contact
- Use a plain or simple background
- Dress appropriately for your industry
Don'ts
- No selfies or cropped group photos
- Avoid sunglasses or hats
- Don't use photos older than 2 years
- Skip heavy filters or effects
- No logos or text overlays
Pro Tip: Free Professional Photos
Many universities offer free professional headshot sessions during career fairs. Check with your career center or alumni association. You can also use smartphone portrait mode with good natural lighting for great results.
Writing a Compelling Headline
Your headline is the most important text on your profile—it appears in search results, connection requests, and comments. You have 220 characters to make an impact.
Headline Formula for Job Seekers:
Use the pipe character (|) or bullet points (•) to separate elements. Include keywords recruiters search for.
Before & After Examples:
Why it works: Specific, keyword-rich, shows intent
Why it works: Highlights skills and certifications
Why it works: Technical skills + flexibility
Crafting Your About Section
The About section (formerly Summary) is your chance to tell your story. You have 2,600 characters—use them wisely. Only the first 3 lines show before "see more," so front-load the most important information.
About Section Template:
I'm a [your field] professional passionate about [what drives you]. Currently, I'm [your current situation - graduating, seeking opportunities, etc.] with expertise in [key skills]. What I bring to the table: • [Skill/achievement 1] • [Skill/achievement 2] • [Skill/achievement 3] I'm particularly interested in [specific areas/industries] because [genuine reason]. Let's connect! I'm always open to discussing [topics] or exploring opportunities in [field]. 📧 [email] | 📱 [phone if comfortable]
Include
- • Your professional identity
- • Key skills and expertise
- • What you're passionate about
- • Notable achievements
- • What you're looking for
- • Call to action
Avoid
- • Third-person writing
- • Generic buzzwords
- • Copying your resume verbatim
- • Negativity about past employers
- • Overly casual language
- • Leaving it blank
Optimizing Your Experience Section
Unlike your resume, LinkedIn allows you to include more detail. Each position can have up to 2,000 characters. Use this space to tell the full story of your impact.
Experience Entry Best Practices:
Skills & Endorsements Strategy
LinkedIn allows up to 50 skills, but quality matters more than quantity. Your top 3 pinned skills appear prominently and influence search rankings.
Skills Optimization Strategy:
SEO & Keyword Optimization
LinkedIn has its own search algorithm. To appear in recruiter searches, you need to include the right keywords throughout your profile.
Where to Place Keywords:
Keywords by Industry:
Software Engineering
Data Science
Marketing
Finance
Building Your Network
LinkedIn's algorithm favors profiles with larger networks. Aim for 500+ connectionsto unlock "500+" badge and improve your visibility in searches.
Connection Request Template:
Hi [Name],
I came across your profile while researching [industry/company]. I'm a [your role/student] interested in [specific area], and I'd love to connect and learn from your experience at [their company].
Best,
[Your name]
Tip: Personalized connection requests have a 40% higher acceptance rate.
Alumni
Connect with graduates from your school working in your target industry
Recruiters
Follow and connect with recruiters at your target companies
Industry Leaders
Follow thought leaders and engage with their content
Content Strategy
Active LinkedIn users get 5x more profile views. You don't need to post daily— even engaging with others' content helps boost your visibility.