If you think you have mastered the LinkedIn puzzle, congratulations! 

However, in our experience, we know that most people can use a LinkedIn brush-up, and some can use a major overhaul. We have worked with numerous students and professionals to help them develop their resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and in most cases, students treat their LinkedIn as a second thought — not the huge priority it deserves. 

Let’s take a look at how to maximize your LinkedIn profile, and more importantly, how to get results from your efforts in the form of a new job and other professional benefits. We will also provide examples of how to improve your LinkedIn profile. 

Improving Your LinkedIn Profile: How to Do it

Improving your LinkedIn profile is not rocket science, but it does require you to put some work and time into it before and after entering the workforce. In other words, do not spend just ten minutes on it and call it good. You will want to write and craft the right messages that fit your personal brand. You will also want to add the skills, photos, headlines, and more to ensure the entire package comes together. 

Overwhelmed? It does not have to be overwhelming, even if you are trying to figure out how to improve your LinkedIn profile. Let’s walk through each key section, step by step.

Add a Professional Profile Picture

Your profile picture on LinkedIn is the equivalent of what you would look like to meet someone in person for coffee. We like to connect with people’s faces, and that includes through professional pictures on LinkedIn. 

When you choose a photo on LinkedIn, you are not going to choose a picture of you scarfing food during a college event. You will obviously want it to be a professional, recent picture, taking up about 60% of the photo. Your photo should include a great smile and set the stage for your LinkedIn profile.

Choose the Right Background Photo

The background photo is the visual behind your professional profile picture. It is almost as important (but not quiiiite as important) as your professional profile picture. However, your background photo can still help you stand out and show what matters to you. It is part of the package that makes your brand all about you. It can help you stand out and stay memorable.

Personalize Your LinkedIn URL

Make your LinkedIn URL simpler using your first and last name. It will help employers find you on LinkedIn more readily and it can also help boost SEO on Google when someone searches for your name during the job searching process or if you are trying to land an internship. 

A short, custom LinkedIn URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/yourname) is generally preferred over the default, long URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/yourname-123456789) for a more professional and easily shareable online presence. Check out the link for the steps to customize your LinkedIn URL.

Learn more: What to Do on the First Day of Your Internship

Create a Great Headline

Can we all agree that nobody likes to read a snoozer? Same with your LinkedIn headline. Skip the dry job titles and think more deeply about what you like to do. Dig into the innards of what makes you happiest about your job or job you are targeting. Check out this one:

Strategic Thinker | Passionate About Risk, Compliance & Data-Driven Solutions | Future Leader at the Intersection of Finance, Policy & Tech

Make it interesting and divide it to encompass all of your talents and interests.

Make Your About Section Count

Your LinkedIn about section (also sometimes called a “summary”) gives you an opportunity to tell your story. Similarly, you do not want to make this a snoozer when you are writing it. Make it come alive with possibility. Draw out the most interesting parts of your story and the best skills you have to offer. Most importantly, show how you will be valuable on the right team, including entry-level jobs. 

Take a look at this example:

I’m at my best when I get to analyze complex systems — understanding behaviors, patterns, and decision-making processes to develop innovative solutions that mitigate risk, ensure compliance, and enhance operational efficiency. I thrive in roles that require strategic thinking, collaboration, and adaptability in fast-paced environments.

As a driven professional with experience in finance, public policy, and leadership, I specialize in risk analysis, compliance monitoring, and data-driven problem-solving. My approach integrates psychological insights into decision-making, helping organizations navigate uncertainty and optimize performance.

Some of my key accomplishments include:

• Conducting risk assessments for a fintech startup, identifying compliance gaps, and recommending process improvements to enhance regulatory adherence.

• Analyzing consumer behavior patterns for a behavioral economics research project, providing insights that influenced corporate decision-making in financial services.

• Assisting a state government agency in evaluating policy effectiveness, using data analytics to measure economic impact and recommend strategic adjustments.

• Leading a university consulting club, where I guided teams in solving real-world business challenges, fostering collaboration, and refining strategic recommendations.

I’m passionate about the intersection of finance, policy, psychology, and technology — leveraging data-driven insights and human behavior analysis to drive meaningful change. If you’re looking for a motivated, collaborative problem-solver with a strong foundation in organizational leadership, let’s connect!

Feel free to reach out at awesomeemployee@gmail.com.

If you are thinking you will never be able to write this, remember that it is worth every single minute you spend crafting, because it could change your life in the form of the perfect job for your situation. We are here to help at Campus to Career Crossroads because many students and professionals find it difficult writing about themselves.

Strip Out the Keywords

In this case, adhere to the old writing adage: “Show, don’t tell.”

What does it mean? It simply means that you should show employers what you can do, rather than just telling them. So, for example, using words like “focused,” “innovative,” “leader,” and “certified” will not impress anyone unless you show them what you can do. Here are some additional tips from human resources professionals.

Build Your Connections

You likely already know you need to build your connections on LinkedIn, but how? One of the best ways to do so is to add everyone on your social media connections who will benefit you professionally on LinkedIn. You will begin receiving connections from LinkedIn about who you may want to connect with. Honor these LinkedIn connection requests to keep your network up to date and applicable to your current job search. 

Learn more: How to Choose a Career as a Teenager and How to Get an Internship in High School

Jump on Your University’s Alumni Network

If you have not already done so, ensure you join your college or university’s alumni network. This is especially important if you re searching for jobs. You never know when your alumni network can help you connect with the right person to get you your job. Still cheering for the Spartans or Hawkeyes can do amazing things for your career!

Do Not Be a Lurker

Use LinkedIn! Do not just watch the passing parade. Make insightful, appropriate comments, share valuable insights and articles, and do everything you can to show you have meaningful, appropriate, professional expertise. Have fun with it! You have a lot to offer!

Skills Matter — Share Yours!

Look through the list of skills available on LinkedIn and check all the skills relevant to you. All your skills should relate back to your headline and about section, and it is probably the easiest task you can do on LinkedIn. However, stay relevant. If you select items related to leadership when you have not mentioned that skill in your headline and about sections, people looking at your profile might get confused. As you develop skills further, check your skills list and add them in.

Learn more: What to Do at a Career Fair to Get an Interview 

Ask For — and Give! — Recommendations

Ask for recommendations from your network. What can you do to get glowing recommendations from people who like you? Identify the people in your network who you believe will write you beautiful, flowery recommendations. And be a generous returner of these endorsements as well! Employers love to read recommendations because they are true, authentic reviews of your work. You can write whatever you want on your about section, but someone endorsing you is likely not going to skew the truth as they make a recommendation.

Not sure how to write one? Here is a great example of a recommendation we received at Campus to Career Crossroads:

Share Content and Add Comments

Do not just let your LinkedIn account sit. You will want to build your connections and share with them. If an article speaks to you, share it, especially if it is related to your profession. Share content from your feed that you find interesting and that aligns with your personal brand. 

Do not forget to add comments to your shares. It will help consolidate why you think someone else should read what you’ve shared.

Follow Relevant Professionals on LinkedIn

Curious how to improve your LinkedIn profile with leading professionals in your industry? Following relevant professionals on LinkedIn will help the people searching for you see who you see as a professional role model. It can help you put interesting content in your feed, and individuals taking note of that may identify with the people you follow as well. Feel free to follow me on LinkedIn too.

Connect with Your Colleagues

As soon as you get a new job, connect with your new colleagues on LinkedIn. Remember, this is a professional network, so keep up with those you know in your office. You may want to connect with everyone in your department or the entire company (depending on its size!).

Furthermore, as soon as you get your first job (or second… or third!) share the news! Your new company will be pleased that you are promoting their team, but at the same time, they will also be thrilled that you are excited. 

Keep Your Profile Updated as You Make Changes

Keep your profile updated at all times, especially if you make changes in your job, such as a job change or promotion — or even if you take on new responsibilities, such as leading a team, project, or new management responsibilities. No matter what happens, do not forget to update LinkedIn! 

Set quarterly reminders to update your profile to reflect professional accomplishments and to maximize your profile.

Update Your Contact Information

Ensure your contact information is up to date and accurate. Check to ensure you have included your mobile phone number and change your contact information to include your new work email address, rather than keeping your university email. Your university email may kick you off at some point anyway, and would not that be a tragedy if you missed out on a potential job opportunity? The answer is a resounding yes!

Learn more: Is it Better to Apply on LinkedIn or a Company Website?

Do Not Forget to Nurture Your LinkedIn Profile

You can learn how to improve your LinkedIn profile as a student, and your LinkedIn profile deserves your time. Just like after you plant seeds in a garden, you have to spend time weeding, pruning, and picking the vegetables once they grow. You cannot just let it go, because it will stagnate, or worse, collect weeds — just like an overgrown garden. 

Take care of it all the time, not just when you are trying to figure out how to improve your LinkedIn profile for job search, and it will pay dividends for your future. Contact Campus to Career Crossroads if you need more help nurturing your LinkedIn profile. We have helped hundreds of clients get the jobs they thrive in and enhanced their LinkedIn profile to maximize their online presence.

FAQs

Take a look at some of our frequently asked questions to get the most out of your profile that you possibly can.

Confused how to improve your LinkedIn profile?

Yes, there are many important elements to a standout LinkedIn profile and it should be an integral part of your career management strategy. You can start in steps with getting a professional headshot. You can then add skills and secure recommendations. Step out of your comfort zone and begin posting content and engaging with other’s content. If you are enjoying LinkedIn you may even want to consider a LinkedIn premium career subscription to get more benefits available on the platform.

What are the biggest mistakes when making a LinkedIn profile?

One of the biggest mistakes is not taking advantage of all LinkedIn has to offer. Many people do just the bare minimum, paste up a nonprofessional photo, and do not add all their skills to their profile. They also do not spend the time to creatively write their about section to attract the right companies to your personal brand. Campus to Career Crossroads can get you headed in the right direction with personalized guidance on how to improve your LinkedIn profile.

How do I get better results on LinkedIn?

The secret to getting better results on LinkedIn involves following all the instructions above. It is also important to carefully consider all of the ways you can stand out on your LinkedIn profile, because you are an individual — a unique individual — and you deserve to stand out on LinkedIn so you can achieve your dreams, including getting that entry-level job.