LinkedIn Profile Checklist

A complete LinkedIn profile is more likely to get noticed by other professionals. You want to make sure that all of the sections on your LinkedIn profile are filled in and accurately describe your professional capabilities. According to Jobvite's 2012 Social Recruiting Survey, LinkedIn remains the dominant recruiting network, used by 93% of respondents. The majority of employers and recruiters undoubtedly have a presence on LinkedIn. When they view your profile, what will they learn about you?

LinkedIn remains the dominant recruiting network, used by 93% of respondents. - See more at: http://recruiting.jobvite.com/company/press-releases/2012/jobvite-social-recruiting-survey-2012/#sthash.f460zCqQ.dpuf

LinkedIn remains the dominant recruiting network, used by 93% of respondents. - See more at: http://recruiting.jobvite.com/company/press-releases/2012/jobvite-social-recruiting-survey-2012/#sthash.f460zCqQ.dpuf

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

  □    Photo

  Upload a professional photo. People like to hire people. Put a face to your name.

  □    Headline

  Include a professional tagline or subtitle that will be associated with your name. Use industry

  keywords and branding statements. What is your target profession or industry?

  □    Connections

  Build your professional networking database. More connections lead to more profile views and

  more ways to get your “foot in the door.”

  □    Websites, Twitter, Web Address

  Include on-brand personal/company websites and blogs. If you tweet relevant items, add your

  handle. Customize your public profile address on your LinkedIn profile and add it to your resume.

  □    Summary

  Similar to a professional profile on a resume, highlight your value. What are your main

  achievements? Plug in industry keywords and phrases.

  □    Skills & Expertise

  Add industry-specific skills and competencies. Note areas of expertise, program/system

  competencies (for example, C++.) Be conscious of hot industry skill sets and what recruiters and
  employers are seeking in job candidates. 

  □    Experience

  Mirror your resume. Include employer, title, dates, skills/accomplishments. (Do not simply list job

  duties.) Use quantifiable information whenever possible (#,$,%). Utilize bullet points, as paragraphs

  often get overlooked. Clearly and concisely demonstrate your capabilities and value. Include

  internships, volunteer, and part-time work if they are on-brand. Any experience is good experience,

  paid or not.

  □    Education

  Include institution, degree, date (if less than 10 years ago) and activities/honors/societies if relevant.

  □    Groups & Associations

  Join groups related to your industry, company, school, and career-related interests. Group
  membership allows you to easily contact fellow group members, and engage in on-bran
  discussions. Include professional associations. Network and keep up-to-date with industry
  news/happenings. (Join the “Official University of Kentucky Alumni” LinkedIn Group.)

  □    Recommendations & Skill Endorsements

  Allow others to get an idea of your work ethic and capabilities based on fellow professionals, co-

  workers, and classmates point of view. 

Be ACTIVE on your LinkedIn account. Do your detective work and market yourself professionally.

A new “Job Search Checklist” was recently released by LinkedIn. For additional tips on how to maximize your LinkedIn profile, click here.

Members of the UK Alumni Association are eligible for a free LinkedIn profile critique. Please email your LinkedIn URL to alumni career counselor, Kelly Allgeier (kelly.allgeier@uky.edu), if you would like your profile critiqued.

If you are not a member of the UK Alumni Association and would like to join, visit www.ukalumni.net/membership to learn more about association membership.