Why It Matters
Recruiters skim LinkedIn search results in just seconds and often decide whom to click before reading a résumé. A crisp headline, photo, and “About” section lift profile views by up to 21× (Forte Foundation) and are the fastest way to stand out—crucial when internship deadlines hit just weeks after you arrive on campus.
“…skip the buzzwords and opt for clarity and precision to enhance your visibility and connect with the right opportunities on LinkedIn.”
-Dezzi Rae Marshall, Tech Recruiter ~LinkedIn~
Follow this checklist to launch or refresh your profile in ≤ 30 minutes.
- Photo + Banner – Upload a professional headshot and on‑brand banner. Set your photo visibility to Public to unlock the full view boost.
- Custom URL – Claim
linkedin.com/in/firstname-lastnamefor shareability and SEO. - Headline (120 chars) – Target role | Key skill | Impact metric (top‑weighted SEO field).
- About (≈ 150 words) – Narrative = Problem → Action → Value packed with 3‑5 job‑post keywords.
- Add 5 Skills – Match wording from target job descriptions to power recruiter filters.
Level up when you have another 30–60 minutes:
- Reorder top 3 Skills to mirror priority keywords.
- Secure matching usernames or urls (LinkedIn, GitHub, portfolio)
- Experience bullets – action + task + impact (≤ 3 per role) for keyword scans.
- Featured section linking to your portfolio or project demo.
- Creator Mode to showcase niche hashtags and add the Follow button.
- Projects under Experience for extra SEO credit.
- Name‑pronunciation clip to humanize global names.
- How to Write a LinkedIn Summary: A 5-Minute Guide To Your About Section (Jeremy Schifeling)
- LinkedIn Summary Examples (jobscan)
- Get Found Using Keywords (Career Masterclasses | Claim Your Free Pratt Account)
Goal |
Tool |
Action |
|---|---|---|
| Follow an expert guided tutorial | Land the Perfect Job with LinkedIn: Position Yourself | Start with this module, using the checklists and demo videos to update your profile according to what works. |
| Draft headline & About quickly | Students.linkedin.com – Job Seeker Resources | Free profile‑building worksheets, headline examples, and access to periodic Premium Career trials for students. |
| Keyword / ATS alignment | JobScan | Run scan → implement keyword suggestions (skip Teal, ResumeWorded). |
| Tone & clarity coaching | Quinncia | Upload profile text → apply AI feedback on U.S. business tone. |
Have a Premium trial already? Try the AI Profile Writing Assistant after completing the steps above.
Citations
- LinkedIn Live webinar, Forté Foundation: profile photos earn 21× more views and 9× more connection requests. (fortefoundation.org)
- LinkedIn Recruiter Help Center: Skills filter is used to surface candidates with explicit skills listed. (linkedin.com)
