How to create a LinkedIn profile that employers notice

LinkedIn is more than just a digital resume; it's your gateway to networking, personal branding, and career advancement. A well-crafted profile can open doors to job opportunities, professional connections, and industry insights.

Whether you're a college student, a recent grad, or a career-changer, your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression you make on future employers, colleagues, and recruiters. But don’t worry — you don’t need to be a professional copywriter or a CEO to make a great one.

Here are some actionable steps to create an impactful LinkedIn profile that stands out and works for you.

Fill out an interest form today to learn more about how the COOP Careers Fellowship can help you craft your LinkedIn profile.

Throughout the fellowship you will be provided with guidance to ensure you are career ready as you enter this competitive job market.

Attend an info session to learn more.

1. Start with the basics

Head to linkedin.com and sign up with your email. Choose a password, verify your account, and start filling in the essentials:

  • Your full name

  • Location and industry (e.g., “New York, NY” / “Marketing”)

  • Profile photo: A clear, friendly, and professional headshot — ideally from the shoulders up, with good lighting and no distractions in the background.

📝 Pro Tip: Profiles with photos get up to 21x more views and 36x more messages.

2. Write a headline that speaks for you

Your headline doesn’t have to be your job title (especially if you’re a student or job seeker). Use this space (up to 220 characters) to say who you are and what you’re looking for.

Examples:

  • Aspiring Software Engineer | First-Gen College Grad | Passionate About Building Inclusive Tech

  • Marketing Student at XYZ University | Open to Internships in Social Media and Brand Strategy

3. Tell your story in the “About” section

Use the “About” summary to highlight your journey, your goals, and what makes you you. Keep it conversational, confident, and focused. A good format:

  • Who you are

  • What you're passionate about

  • What you're working on or looking for

  • Something personal or unique about you

Example:

I'm a first-gen college student studying Business at Brooklyn College. I’m passionate about helping underrepresented communities thrive through entrepreneurship and marketing. Right now, I’m looking for internships where I can build real-world experience and learn from innovative teams. I believe in lifelong learning, collaboration, and making an impact.

4. Add experience (even if you’re early in your career)

You don’t need years of job experience to start. Include:

  • Internships

  • Volunteer work

  • Campus leadership

  • Freelance or personal projects

  • Retail/service jobs (yes, they count!)

Describe what you did, what you learned, and how it helped you grow. Use bullet points for clarity.

5. Build out your education

List your schools, degrees, and graduation dates. Feel free to add:

  • Relevant coursework

  • Academic honors

  • Extracurricular activities

  • Clubs or leadership roles

6. Highlight skills

LinkedIn lets you add up to 50 skills — from “Public Speaking” to “Python” to “Social Media Marketing.” Pick your top 10 and pin them to the top of your list. These keywords help recruiters find you.

📝 Bonus Tip: Ask people you’ve worked with (classmates, coworkers, mentors) to endorse your skills.

7. Ask for recommendations

Recommendations are short testimonials written by people who know your work. Ask a professor, internship supervisor, or coworker to write one for you — and offer to return the favor.

8. Customize Your LinkedIn URL

At the top right of your profile, click “Edit public profile & URL” and customize it to something like:
👉 linkedin.com/in/yourname

This makes it cleaner and more professional on résumés, email signatures, and business cards.

9. Engage with your network

LinkedIn isn’t just a digital résumé — it’s a community. Once your profile is ready:

  • Connect with classmates, professors, coworkers, and mentors

  • Follow companies, creators, and industries you're interested in

  • Like, comment on, and share posts that resonate with you

  • Post updates about your journey, projects, or career wins

Final thoughts

Your LinkedIn profile is a living document — you don’t need to get it perfect right away. Start small, be authentic, and keep updating it as you grow. With a strong LinkedIn presence, you’re not just looking for opportunities — you’re making it easier for them to find you.

Fill out an interest form today to learn more about how the COOP Careers Fellowship can help you craft your LinkedIn profile.