Tips on Developing YOUR Professional

Profile as a Graduate

Sue Beckingham | @suebecks | Sheffield Hallam University

Whilst developing your profile opt to make it private until you are ready to share it

#1Look at the

privacy settings and

options

Research has found that profiles are more trusted when they contain a photo

#2Include a

photo

Click on the 'Edit Profile' button to update any of the sections or the 'Improve your

profile' button for suggestions.

Proofread any changes you make for errors!

#3Complete

your whole profile

Think about the key search words employers would use if they were:

looking for people with skills in your field

looking for graduates, interns or students for work placements

#4Include relevant

keywords

Your headline will default to your current job title, but this can be edited

to add further information and keywords

#5Edit your headline

The default URL will also include random numbers and letters and appears underneath your photo. uk.linkedin.com/pub/your-name/1x/11x/111

Customise this to have your full name then add to:• your email signature• business cards• your bios on other social sites

#6Customise your public profile URL

Add relevant skills to your profile. Valued connections may then publically endorse

your skills and expertise

#7Add skills to your profile

You may give others a recommendation, but do also consider asking people you have worked with to

give you one too.

#8Ask for

recommendations

• Connect with current and previous work colleagues • Search by name, company, school, email contacts

or group members. Drill down using advanced people search.

• Develop relevant 2nd and 3rd degree connections

#9Make

connections

• Engage in discussion topics and answer questions in your specialism

• Develop new connections• Create your own group

#10Join relevant

Groups

http://resume.linkedinlabs.com/

CV Templates

Student internships and graduate job opportunities

http://www.linkedin.com/studentjobs

LinkedIn Cardmunch

http://www.cardmunch.com/

The LinkedIn Apply Button

https://developer.linkedin.com/apply

Companies can add this to their job page on the company website

Applicants are asked to submit a link to their LinkedIn profile

Make the most of YOUR profile!

http://press.linkedin.com/about

Sue BeckinghamEducational Developer with a research interest in the use of social media in education. 

Blog: http://socialmedia4us.wordpress.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suebeckingham