What to write in your LinkedIn profile if you are a student
Among all the ‘social’ media platforms, LinkedIn is used the least by students. Majority of the students while do not even have a profile on LinkedIn, those who do treat it like a big, grumpy distant uncle in family whom you know you have to say hello but you do not want to.
However boring it may feel, truth is, having a professional presence on LinkedIn helps. It will help you discover many opportunities, connect with professionals and stay ahead of the competition in your career quest. Here is a list of things that students can include in their LinkedIn profile to create an effective online presence rather than leaving it all blank.
Before that let’s just do a quick vote of hands. Among the 2 sample profiles shown below, which one do you think an employer is likely to find more impressive?
Vs.
If you also agree that 2nd profile looks more professional and gives a reader a better understanding of the candidate, you may continue reading the tips below.
- Summary: – This is an introduction to your profile and should reflect your career goals and journey so far. Essentially it should include your current role/internship, your highest educational qualification, your majors in school/college and your primary work interest. Keep it very professional.
- Experience: – Any experience is good experience; be it internships (paid/unpaid), voluntary work, social work in school or college etc.
- Extra-curricular: – You can always mention your literary, sports or art activities in school/college and any Regional/State/National level competitions that you’ve participated in.
- Co-curricular: – Study related achievements like scholarships, project work and research papers can be included.
- Roles: – A note should be made of all the significant roles/responsibilities you have taken up for a society (Club Secretary or Vice President of the school) or any event coordinator position for college fests. You cal also mention the different skills you’ve acquired as a result of these activities.
- Education details: – This is an absolute must. Add in all the different institutions you’ve attended with the specific years. This will help you connect and build a better network with your classmates. For example – XYZ College, 2008-2012.
- Personal information: – This may comprise links to your websites/blogs, and your twitter handle. Though, excluding Facebook profile link from this section will be a good idea.
- Contact information: – This should contain your email id and maybe your phone number (remember to turn the privacy controls on though).
As future leaders, students should be more involved in presenting themselves professionally via social media. After all, LinkedIn gives you a brand image. So, want to connect? Here’s our LinkedIn profile, but be sure to read a Noob’s Guide to LinkedIn before you join.
And if you already have a LinkedIn profile, it’s time you created one on Internshala. Register with us and apply to these cool internships!
Image credit: – http://nuancedmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Business_linkedin.jpg
