LinkedIn: Make Your Profile Work for You

If you think LinkedIn is just an online resume, think again. LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for building professional connections, exploring career opportunities, learning about industries, and getting your name in front of potential employers. Whether you’re actively job searching or simply building your career, a strong LinkedIn presence can work for you long before you submit an application.

Here are some simple ways to make the most of your LinkedIn profile.

Start With the Basics

Your LinkedIn profile is often one of the first places someone can learn more about you professionally. Make sure the basics are complete and up to date.

Check these areas first:

• Profile photo: Use a clear, professional-looking photo where your face is easy to see.

• Headline: Don’t just list your current job or say “Student.” Use your headline to highlight what you do, what you’re interested in, or where you’re headed.

• About section: Give people a quick introduction to who you are, your experience, your interests, and your career goals.

• Experience: Include jobs, internships, volunteer experiences, leadership roles, and other relevant experiences.

• Education: List your degrees, schools, programs, and relevant activities.

• Skills: Add skills that reflect your experience and the types of positions you’re interested in.

You don't have to have years of experience to create a strong profile. Your education, TRIO or GEAR UP experience, internships, campus involvement, volunteer work, and part-time jobs all tell part of your story.

Think Beyond Your Resume

One of the biggest advantages of LinkedIn is that it gives you more space to show who you are than a traditional resume. Consider adding:

• Projects you've completed

• Certifications

• Awards and accomplishments

• Volunteer experiences

• Organizations you're involved with

• Presentations or publications

• Relevant coursework

• Professional interests

For example, instead of simply listing “TRIO student” as an experience, you might describe leadership roles, workshops you participated in, academic accomplishments, internships, or other experiences that demonstrate your skills.

Tip: Focus on what you did and what you learned, not just the name of the activity.

Build Your Network

Networking on LinkedIn doesn't mean sending connection requests to hundreds of strangers. Start with people you already know. Connect with:

• Classmates and former classmates

• Professors and faculty

• Current and former coworkers

• Internship supervisors

• TRIO and GEAR UP staff

• Other TRIO and GEAR UP alumni

• Professionals you meet at conferences or events

• People working in careers or industries that interest you

When possible, personalize your connection request. A quick message explaining how you know someone or why you'd like to connect can make the interaction more meaningful.

And remember: Networking isn't about asking everyone for a job. It's about building relationships.

Follow Organizations and Join the Conversation

LinkedIn can also help you learn about careers and industries.

Follow organizations, professional associations, colleges, companies, and people whose work interests you. Pay attention to what they're sharing. You might discover a career path, professional development opportunity, event, or job you didn't know existed. You can also participate by:

• Commenting on posts

• Sharing helpful resources

• Celebrating professional accomplishments

• Posting about projects or milestones

• Sharing articles related to your field

• Congratulating people on new jobs or accomplishments

You don't have to become a LinkedIn influencer. Being active and genuine is more important than posting constantly.

Use LinkedIn During Your Job Search

LinkedIn can be especially helpful when you're looking for your next opportunity. Use the job search feature to explore positions based on keywords, location, industry, and other criteria. When you find a position that interests you, research the organization and look at the profiles of people who currently work there.

You may also discover that someone in your network works at the organization. That's where the networking you've been building can become especially valuable. Before applying, take another look at your profile. Make sure your headline, About section, skills, and experience reflect the types of positions you're pursuing.

Turn Your Profile Into Your Professional Story

Your LinkedIn profile doesn't have to be perfect. It just needs to accurately represent where you've been, what you can do, and where you're going. As your career develops, keep updating it. Add new experiences, skills, accomplishments, certifications, and projects. And don't wait until you're looking for a job to start building your LinkedIn presence.

Start now. Build connections. Share your accomplishments. Learn from others. Keep your profile updated. Your next opportunity might come from a connection you haven't made yet.

Quick LinkedIn Checklist

Before you call your profile finished, ask yourself:

- Do I have a clear, professional photo?
- Does my headline say more than just my job title?
- Does my About section tell my professional story?
- Is my experience section up to date?
- Have I listed relevant skills?
- Have I connected with people I know professionally?
- Am I following organizations and people in my field?
- Does my profile reflect the type of opportunities I'm looking for?

Your LinkedIn profile is more than an online resume. It's a place to build your professional presence, connect with others, and open the door to future opportunities.

Resume & Cover Letter Refresh: Make Your Application Stand Out

 

Whether you're applying for your first job, looking for a new opportunity, or making a career change, your resume and cover letter are often your first chance to make an impression. The good news? You don't need to start from scratch every time you apply.

A few strategic updates can make your application more relevant, polished, and focused on what an employer is actually looking for.

Start With Your Resume

Your resume should tell the story of what you can do and the value you can bring to an organization. Before submitting an application, take a few minutes to make sure your resume is current.

1. Update the basics

Check that your resume includes your most recent:

• Job or internship experience

• Education and certifications

• Skills

• Volunteer or leadership experience

• Awards or accomplishments

• Contact information

• Relevant projects or professional experiences

You don't necessarily need to include everything you've ever done. Focus on experiences that are relevant to the type of position you're seeking.

2. Look at the job description

This is one of the most important steps. Read the job posting carefully and look for skills, qualifications, responsibilities, and keywords that the employer emphasizes.

For example, if a job description says the employer is looking for someone with "project management," "customer service," and "team leadership" experience, look for opportunities to demonstrate those skills on your resume. If you've done those things, use similar language when describing your experience.

3. Focus on accomplishments—not just responsibilities

Instead of simply listing what you were responsible for, show what you accomplished.

Instead of:

Responsible for social media posts.

Try:

Created and scheduled social media content to increase engagement and promote upcoming events.

Think about:

• What did you accomplish?

• What did you improve?

• Who did you help?

• What problem did you solve?

• Can you include a number or measurable result?

Even small accomplishments can make a difference.

4. Keep it easy to read

Your resume should be easy for a busy employer to scan quickly.

Use:

• Clear headings

• Consistent formatting

• Bullet points

• Short, specific descriptions

• Professional fonts

• Plenty of white space

For most early-career professionals, one page is often enough, but don't force your experience onto one page if doing so makes it difficult to read.

Now Refresh Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter shouldn't simply repeat your resume. Instead, use it to connect your experience to the specific position you're applying for.

1. Tailor it to the position

Avoid sending the exact same cover letter to every employer.

Start by identifying:

What does the employer need?

Then explain:

How can my experience help meet that need?

For example, if you're applying for a position that involves working with students, you might highlight your experience tutoring, mentoring, volunteering, leading student organizations, or working in customer service.

2. Show, don't just tell

Instead of saying:

I am a strong leader and excellent communicator.

Give an example that demonstrates those qualities. For example:

As president of my student organization, I coordinated a team of 12 members, organized monthly meetings, and helped plan three campus events.

The example gives the employer evidence of your skills rather than simply listing them.

3. Explain why you're interested

Your cover letter is a great place to show that you have done your homework. Mention something specific about:

• The organization

• The position

• Its mission

• The work it does

• Why the opportunity interests you

Employers want to know that you're interested in this position, not just looking for any job.

4. Keep it focused

A cover letter doesn't need to be a full essay about your life. Aim for three to four short paragraphs:

• Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and the position you're applying for.

• Paragraph 2: Highlight one or two experiences or skills that connect to the position.

• Paragraph 3: Explain why you're interested in the organization or opportunity.

• Paragraph 4: Thank the employer and express interest in discussing the position further.

Before You Hit "Submit"

Take one last look at your application. Ask yourself:

• Is my contact information correct?

• Does my resume include my most recent experience?

• Did I remove outdated or irrelevant information?

• Did I use keywords from the job description where appropriate?

• Did I highlight accomplishments instead of only responsibilities?

• Did I tailor my cover letter to this specific position?

• Did I address the correct organization and position?

• Did I check for spelling and grammar mistakes?

• Does everything look professional and easy to read?

One More Tip: Get a Second Set of Eyes

Even after you've read your resume and cover letter several times, it's easy to miss mistakes. Ask a professor, career advisor, mentor, colleague, friend, or fellow alum to review your application. They may notice something you've overlooked or have suggestions for highlighting your experience. And remember: your resume and cover letter don't have to be perfect—they need to clearly communicate what you bring to the table.

Take a little time to customize your application for each opportunity, and you'll be better prepared to show employers why you're a great match for the position.

Ready for Your Next Application?

Don't wait until you're applying for a job to update your resume. Set a reminder to review it every few months and add new experiences, skills, accomplishments, and certifications as you gain them. That way, when the right opportunity comes along, you'll be ready to apply.