How to Build a Professional LinkedIn Profile that Gets You Hired

Your LinkedIn profile is probably boring. Like, really boring. It’s understandable since you are still new to the job searching market and have no clue what LinkedIn is about. 

Most college students treat LinkedIn like a required assignment: create a profile, add some connections, and pray for some nice recruiters to notice them. 

But the students landing internships and job offers? They know how to use LinkedIn to their best advantage, making it a strategic tool that showcases their potential, builds relationships, and demonstrates industry knowledge. 

That’s how they can land a job before graduating. 

And this is a guide to decoding their strategy to utilize LinkedIn from a static resume holder into your most powerful career development tool.

Why your LinkedIn profile matters more than ever 

Let’s break the truth. The job market has shifted dramatically. Remote work is normalized. AI is used in screening candidates. Recruiters are spending less time, maybe around 10 seconds, on individuals' applications. 

However, what has not changed much is that LinkedIn remains one of the primary platforms where employers discover talent, especially for entry-level positions where potential often matters more than experience. 

Consider this: while hundreds of students might apply for the same internship through traditional job boards, only a fraction have optimized their LinkedIn profiles. 

This gives you a massive competitive advantage if you know how to leverage it properly.

Add a professional headshot: your visual first impression 

Choosing the right photo for your LinkedIn account is crucial because it’s often the first impression you make on potential employers and connections. 

That’s why you will want to choose a clear and friendly photo that primarily showcases your face against a neutral background. 

• Professional but approachable: You don't need a $500 headshot to make an impact. All you really need is good lighting and a nice background. It should be clean, uncluttered so that the focus remains on you, projecting a professional yet approachable image. 

The balance is key; you want people to feel comfortable reaching out to you. 

• Dress for your target industry: Your attire should reflect the industry you’re aiming to enter. For example, finance and corporate sectors usually lean toward formal attire, like suits or dress shirts. The reason to dress appropriately is to show that you understand the industry norms and respect the professional environment.  
• Smile genuinely: Research shows profiles with smiling photos get an increased chance of getting more connections. A warm, friendly smile conveys confidence and approachability, making it easier for others to reach out to you. So, don’t be shy—let your personality shine through!
• High resolution: Always opt for a high-resolution image. Blurry or pixelated photos can give the impression that you don’t care about your first impression, leading recruiters to overlook your profile. A crisp, sharp image reflects professionalism and attention to detail—qualities that are highly valued in job candidates.

Remember, this is your opportunity to showcase not just your appearance but also your personality and readiness to engage in the professional world. So, grab your smartphone, find that perfect spot, and get ready to make a great first impression!

Craft a compelling headline: avoid being too generic 

Keep in mind that your headline will appear everywhere on LinkedIn. In search results, comments, and even in messages. Essentially, it’s your digital handshake, and you want it to be strong! 

That’s why you need to make your headline as powerful as possible by following this formula below: 

[Your Major/Field] | [Key Skills] | [Career Goal/Value Proposition]

This structure allows you to convey a lot of information in a compact space, making it easier for recruiters and connections to understand who you are and what you bring to the table. 

What to remember when writing a headline:  

• Avoid being too generic: Don't just list your current status (eg, “Student at XYZ University”). These simply tell recruiters nothing meaningful about you. 
• Focus on showcasing your unique value points: Include your field of study, key skills, and career aspirations to give a well-rounded picture of your professional identity. 
• Use keywords recruiters search for: This is important because these keywords will improve your visibility on LinkedIn. 

For instance, if you’re in tech, consider terms like “Data Science”, “Software Development,” or “AI”. If you’re in marketing, you might want to use “Social Media Strategy,” “Content Creation,” or “Digital Marketing.” 

Using these keywords helps you get noticed by the right people. 

• Keep your headline concise but descriptive: You want it to be easy to read at a glance. How to summarize yourself in just a few words? 

Here are a few ways to inspire you: 

• "Computer Science Student | Python, JavaScript, AI Enthusiast | Building the Future of EdTech"
• "Marketing Major | Social Media Strategy, Content Creation | Helping Brands Connect with Gen Z"
• "Business Student | Data Analytics, Project Management | Future Consultant Passionate About Problem-Solving"

Example: this header is quite clear, focusing on keywords and the aspiration. The “not-so-good” point here is to mention the University’s name. 

By structuring your headline effectively, you’ll not only catch the eyes of recruiters but also make your profile more engaging for anyone who comes across it. So, take a moment to refine your headline; it’s a small change that can lead to big opportunities.

 Write a powerful About You section: tell your story  

The About section of your LinkedIn profile is your opportunity to tell your story to recruiters and potential connections. 

Think of it as your personal spotlight where you can shine by highlighting your academic background, skills, and career aspirations in a way that resonates with your audience. 

In short, the About section is kind of like your elevator pitch in front of your audience, which is the recruiters. Still, take note that in this part, you’re supposed to tell a story, not list your qualifications. 

When crafting your About section, what you should aim for is: 

• Keep it personal and engaging (around 3-5 short paragraphs) by writing in the first-person view. After all, you want to invite readers into your journey. 
• A brief introduction about yourself. You should include your major, your university, and a little about your interests, giving the recruiters some specific information about you.  
• Highlight relevant skills, projects, internships, or volunteer work. Instead of simply listing these experiences, write them into a story, explaining what you learned from them and how they inspired you to pursue this career path. 

This not only showcases your skills but also gives recruiters insight into your work ethic and passion. 

• Don’t forget to share your career goals! It can be anything from wanting to innovate in the business field to aiming for a leadership role in tech. Be clear about your aspirations, and don’t hesitate to express your enthusiasm for the industry you’re entering. 
• Use industry-specific keywords to improve searchability. This is crucial for ensuring that recruiters can find you when they’re searching for candidates with your skill set. If you’re in the marketing field, terms like “digital marketing,” “content strategy,” or “SEO” can enhance your visibility. 

To have a clearer view of what About section should be like, one that we really like is from Adam Buchbinder and his both detailed and inspired profile:

So, take the time to create a compelling About section. Weave into a story about you behind those qualifications, keep the recruiters engaged and impressed with your personality, skills, and ambitions. It’s worth the effort! 

Show off your education. 

As a student, your education is the main part of your profile. It’s not just about where you go to school; it’s about how your 4-year academic journey has prepared you for the real world.  

• Including your current institution, degree program, and expected graduation date: This gives potential employers a clear view of your academic status and timeline. 
• Adding relevant coursework, honors, and extracurricular activities: Highlighting specific courses that relate to your career goals can make a big difference. For instance, if you’re studying computer science, mentioning courses like “Data Structures,” “Machine Learning,” or “Web Development” shows that you have the technical skills employers are looking for.  
• It’s all about connecting the dots between your education and the job market.
• Remember to add extracurricular activities: They are the evidence to illustrate how well you are in a leadership role, teamwork, and commitment to your community. 

Whether you’re part of a student organization, a sports team, or a volunteer group at school, including them makes you more valuable in the eyes of the recruiters because of what they see in you is a highly capable and proactive individual. 

• Study abroad or participate in special programs: Don’t hesitate to include those because recruiters love them! They show not only that you acquire a global and cultural understanding but also that you are adaptable to working in different environments, which is a key point in today’s job market.  

Your Education might look like this: 

Optimize your experience section (even with a limited work history) 

The biggest mistake students make is thinking they have "no experience." Wrong. You have plenty—you just need to frame it correctly.

Ways to describe your experiences in a professional way: 

• Group projects: Instead of saying you participated in a group project, consider branding yourself as the "Project Manager" or "Team Lead." 
• Part-time jobs: If you’ve held any part-time jobs, focus on the transferable skills you gained and the achievements you accomplished. For example, instead of just listing “cashier,” you might say, “Developed strong customer service skills while managing transactions, which increased customer satisfaction scores by 10%.” 
• Volunteer work: Don’t state it simply that you volunteered, frame it as “Volunteer Coordinator” or highlight your specific role. This demonstrates your ability to take initiative and manage responsibilities, which is highly attractive to employers.
• Club leadership: If you’re involved in any clubs or organizations, use that to your advantage. Positions like "Vice President" or "Event Coordinator" can reflect your leadership, organizational skills, and ability to work in a team. 
• Internships: If you’ve completed internships, highlight specific results and learning outcomes. Instead of just saying you interned at a company, detail what you accomplished there by using the STAR method! 
• Freelance work: If you’ve done any freelance work, don’t hesitate to list it! You can label yourself as a "Freelance [Your Service]"—be it writing, graphic design, or consulting. This shows that you’re proactive and entrepreneurial, which can catch the eye of hiring managers. 
• Side projects:  Finally, if you’ve started any side projects, brand yourself as the "Founder" or "Creator." Whether it’s a blog, a YouTube channel, or a small business, these ventures showcase your initiative, creativity, and ability to manage projects from start to finish. 

One example of how to write and list out your experience: 

Showcase skills that matter in 2025 

Of course, skills are the keywords that recruiters will look for first to find a suitable candidate for the job. If you want to land your dream job, use them wisely. 

While you can add up to 50 skills, it’s best to focus on the ones that matter most for your career path. 

So, how to know and showcase skills that matter: 

• Mix it up: Include both hard skills (like Java, Excel, Google Suites, or SEO) and soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, those that you often find the most when skimming job descriptions. This combo shows you’re not just technically savvy but also great with people. 
• They have to align with your career goals: Think about what skills are most relevant or mentioned in the job descriptions. If you are targeting to apply for roles in Logistics or Supply Chain Management, you need to focus on skills that are mostly required, such as documenting, exporting, etc. 
• Regularly update your skillset: We’re living in a fast-paced, changing world. Your skills will, perhaps, be outdated in a few years or so. That’s why you should regularly update your skills as you learn new ones. Adding these new skills keeps your profile current and attractive to recruiters. 

Collect recommendations from your professors, supervisors, or mentors. 

Recruiters had read and understood all your skills and achievements. Yet, now they start to question: Are they all real or just a big lie? What you need to add when building a credible LinkedIn profile are those recommendations from people who know you or work with you. 

They are the written testimonials, the proof of all of your skills and achievements. 

How to get recommendations: 

• Reach out to the right people: Start by asking professors, internship supervisors, or mentors who can genuinely speak to your strengths, commitment, and understand your work and effort better than anyone else. Someone who has witnessed your development and growth and can give honest feedback about you. 
• Personalize your request: When you ask for a recommendation, make it personal! Remind them of specific projects you worked on together or skills you demonstrated. This makes it easier for them to write a meaningful and detailed recommendation.
• A follow-up thank-you letter or returning their favor: Especially, don’t forget the power of reciprocity! What you can do is write a thank-you letter and offer them to write a recommendation or provide assistance in return. This not only helps them but also strengthens your professional relationship.

Use the Featured section to showcase your best work. 

You might wonder what to include in the Featured section on LinkedIn. 

This section is like your personal portfolio. It’s a chance to shine and show off your best work, projects, websites, or certification that you earned or built during your 4 years at college. 

• Links to personal websites or portfolios: If you have a personal website or online portfolio, definitely include it. Viewers can have a deeper look at your work and what you can do. 
• Articles or blog posts: If you’ve written articles or blog posts, feature them here to showcase your writing skills and your knowledge in your field. 
• Certificates from online courses: Did you complete any online courses or workshops? Highlight those certificates! They show your commitment to learning and professional development, which is a big plus for recruiters. 

Join groups and follow companies to stay engaged and visible. 

Most freshers often stop at this step when they finish setting up their LinkedIn profiles. No, they are losing the golden chances here. 

LinkedIn groups and company pages are fantastic tools for networking and staying in the loop with industry trends. Here’s how to make the most of them! 

• Join relevant groups: Start by joining groups that align with your major or career interests. This is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional network.
• Get involved and participate: Don’t just join and do nothing, you need to participate! Comment on posts, share your insights, and ask questions. Engaging in discussions not only showcases your knowledge but also helps you build relationships with other members.
• Connect with members: After participating in discussions, reach out to group members to connect. A simple message can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
• Follow your dream companies: Make sure to follow companies you admire or want to work for. This keeps you informed about their latest news and job openings.
• Engage with their posts: Like, comment, and share their posts to get noticed by recruiters. Engaging with their content shows your interest and can help you stand out.
• Stay updated: Following these companies allows you to stay on top of industry trends, product launches, and job opportunities. This information is invaluable when you’re job hunting or looking to advance your career.

Keep your profile active. 

Lastly, your LinkedIn profile is almost finished setting up. What you need now is to keep it active. An active LinkedIn profile tells recruiters a lot about you, and it’s also a great way to connect with others and showcase your professional journey. 

What you can share on your LinkedIn profile: 

• Industry news and articles: Post articles or news related to your industry. Sharing relevant content not only keeps your connections informed but also positions you as someone who’s in the know about the latest trends.
• Your own insights: Don’t hesitate to share your reflections or insights from learning experiences. Whether you attended a workshop, completed a course, or worked on a project, sharing your takeaways can spark discussions and show your growth.
• Project and achievement updates: Celebrate your milestones by updating your network on projects you’re working on or achievements you’ve reached. This keeps your connections in the loop and demonstrates your progress.

Congratulate connections: When your connections hit milestones—like job promotions, work anniversaries, or project completions—take a moment to congratulate them. A simple message or comment can strengthen your relationships and build goodwill.