How to Build an Exceptional LinkedIn Profile: Top Tips for Students

What is Digital Branding? 

Digital branding refers to how you present your professional identity on social media platforms like LinkedIn. For college students, it’s about creating an online portfolio that showcases their academic achievements, volunteer work, and career goals to attract the right opportunities. 

The Importance of LinkedIn for Launching Your College Career

Your LinkedIn profile is a digital portfolio showcasing who you are, what you can do, and how you can add value to potential employers.

It is the go-to professional branding platform, offering many tools to help you build and amplify your career. With features such as a customizable headline, detailed summary, skills section, and recommendations, LinkedIn allows you to craft a compelling narrative highlighting your academic achievements, work experience, and future aspirations. It also provides a gateway to a vast professional network, connecting you with industry leaders, alumni, and potential employers. 

By engaging with relevant content and showcasing your expertise, you can enhance your visibility and create valuable opportunities.

Six Essential Components of Creating a Stellar LinkedIn Profile

In this section, we explore the six key components to consider when building your LinkedIn profile. We consider examples from current students and faculty at St. John’s University who have optimized their LinkedIn profiles.

1. An Intentional Profile Picture

First impressions matter, especially on LinkedIn. Your profile picture is often the first thing people see, so make it count. A professional, high-quality photo sets the tone for how you’re perceived by industry leaders, alumni, and potential employers.

What makes a great LinkedIn profile picture?

• Dress for success: Choose attire that aligns with the industry or role you aspire to join.
• Use good lighting: Natural lighting or a well-lit environment can make your photo look polished and professional.
• Keep it simple: Opt for a clean, neutral background to keep the focus on you.
• Show approachability: A warm smile and confident posture can make you appear more personable and open to connections.

3. An Optimized ‘About Me’ Section

Your LinkedIn ‘About Me’ section is the heart of your profile—a place to tell your professional story and make a lasting impression. This section should not just list your accomplishments, but connect the dots between your experiences, passions, and career goals, giving viewers a sense of who you are and what you bring to the table. 

For example, here’s an outstanding ‘About Me’ from Nikki Pebbles Perretti, Career and Internship Adviser at St. John’s University:

“Creative, strategic, and always forging my path, I am a multi-passionate individual dedicated to using my diverse skill set to make an impact. My experience includes building a six-figure international digital wellness platform, producing digital content at Google, and advising students in higher education. With over 12 years in content development and strategy, my creative drive and passion for innovation continue to fuel my work.”

How to craft a compelling ‘About Me’:

1. Start with a strong opening: Use a sentence or two to introduce yourself and capture attention. Highlight your passions, goals, or unique skills.
2. Showcase achievements: Detail your academic, professional, or extracurricular experiences, focusing on what makes you stand out.
3. Tell your story: Explain how your experiences have shaped your career path and what drives your aspirations.
4. Incorporate keywords: Use industry-specific terms like “leadership,” “data analysis,” “social media management,” or “project management” to make your profile searchable.

4. An Achievement-Focused Experience Section

When showcasing your experiences on LinkedIn, focus on accomplishments rather than just listing responsibilities. This demonstrates your ability to deliver results and highlights your value to teams or organizations. 

For example, consider this work experience description from a St. John’s University student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance: 

Marketing Coordinator, Financial Management Association (FMA) Student Chapter at St. John’s University

• Accomplishment: Achieved a 500% increase in social media engagement over two years through innovative content creation and strategic communication efforts.

Why does this work?  This approach not only makes your LinkedIn profile stand out but also showcases measurable impact, making it easier for potential employers or collaborators to see your contributions at a glance.

How to emphasize achievements:

• Quantify your impact: Use numbers to give context to your accomplishments. For instance, rather than saying, “Assisted with social media management,” write, “Increased social media engagement by 30% during a six-month marketing internship.”
• Be specific: Highlight particular projects, tools, or strategies you used to achieve success.
• Include diverse experiences: Incorporate technical skills, volunteer work, leadership roles, or internships that align with your career goals.
• Show progression: Demonstrate how your experiences contributed to personal growth or the success of an organization.

5. A Defined Skills Section  

The Skills section on LinkedIn is a powerful tool for showcasing your expertise. List skills directly relevant to your career, whether they are technical skills like “Data Analysis” or soft skills like “Leadership.” This helps ensure your profile appears in searches for those key terms. But don’t stop there—endorsements from professors, colleagues, or supervisors can significantly enhance your profile’s credibility. 

For example, here are skills highlighted on LinkedIn by a St. John’s University student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Data Science: 

• Data Manipulation
• Data Analysis
• Qualitative Research
• Academic Writing
• Leadership
• Community Service

Why does this work? By showcasing a mix of technical and interpersonal skills and bolstering them with endorsements, you can create a well-rounded LinkedIn profile that appeals to potential employers and collaborators.

How to optimize your Skills section:

• Focus on relevance: List skills that are most applicable to your desired career path. Include both technical skills (e.g., “Data Analysis,” “Programming in Python”) and soft skills (e.g., “Leadership,” “Team Collaboration”).
• Be specific: Instead of general terms like “Computer Skills,” opt for targeted phrases such as “Data Visualization with Tableau” or “Statistical Modeling.”
• Show breadth and depth: Highlight a mix of skills to demonstrate your versatility and depth of knowledge.

6. A Strong Recommendation Section

Recommendations provide third-party validation of your skills and work ethic. Don’t hesitate to ask professors, employers, or mentors to write a few lines about your achievements. This strengthens your credibility in the eyes of recruiters. 

For example, here is a glowing recommendation for a St. John’s University student earning a Master of Science degree in Enterprise Risk Management: 

“I had the privilege of working under Uday during my internship. His exceptional technical expertise, outstanding managerial skills, and inspiring leadership profoundly influenced my professional growth. Uday consistently provided clear guidance, fostered a collaborative environment, and led our team with integrity and vision. His ability to balance project demands while encouraging innovation made him an invaluable mentor. He ensured that deadlines were met without compromising quality. His strategic planning and resource management skills facilitated a seamless workflow, fostering an environment of productivity and collaboration. I highly recommend Uday for his remarkable contributions and leadership.”

Why does this work? Strong recommendations like these can set you apart, giving potential employers a clear understanding of your strengths and work ethic.

St. John’s University Career Services Administrator Shares Advice on Building Your Digital Brand on LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn profile is an opportunity to open doors, establish connections, and showcase what makes you unique. Gina Tarabocchia, the Assistant Director of Social Media and Student Engagement at University Career Services, shares some more practical strategies for helping students create standout profiles.

Be Active to Boost Visibility.

“Think of LinkedIn as you would other social media—it thrives on engagement,” says Ms. Tarabocchia. Regular activity boosts your profile’s visibility in LinkedIn’s algorithm. Post updates related to your field or studies, share articles, and comment thoughtfully on others’ posts to remain visible to connections and recruiters.

Feature a standout post or project at the top of your profile, and consider linking a digital portfolio for easy access. Consistent engagement builds your network and demonstrates your expertise and interests.

Leverage Alumni Networks and Events.

LinkedIn’s alumni tool is a hidden gem. Use it to find alumni in industries or roles you’re interested in and reach out for informational interviews or advice. “Connecting with alumni is a great way to learn from those who’ve walked a similar path,” Ms. Tarabocchia shares.

Stay connected to resources like St. John’s Career Services LinkedIn page for updates on workshops, headshot opportunities, and exclusive tips from advisers. 

Next Steps to Elevate Your LinkedIn Profile

Ready to take your LinkedIn profile to the next level? Start by updating your headline, refining your ‘About’ section, and adding essential skills that align with your career goals. Don’t forget to request recommendations from professors, mentors, and supervisors to strengthen your credibility and visibility.

Enhance Your LinkedIn Profile with St. John’s University Resources.

St. John’s University Career Services offers valuable opportunities to help you build a standout profile. Get professional headshots at every Career Expo and other events held throughout the semester. These headshots are perfect for making a strong first impression on LinkedIn.