A LinkedIn profile is an online version of your resume that recruiters can search. A complete, honest profile makes it easier for them to find you and understand what you offer.
Profile photo
- Use a clear, recent photo of your face.
- Plain background and good light.
- Dress as you would for an interview.
- Avoid group photos, filters and sunglasses.
Headline
The headline sits under your name and shows in search results. Do not leave it as just “Student”. Say what you do and what you want, for example:
- “Final-year B.Com student | Accounting and Excel | Seeking internships”
- “Customer support executive | 3 years in e-commerce”
About section
Write three to five short paragraphs or lines:
- Who you are and what you do.
- Your main skills or achievements.
- What you are looking for.
- How to contact you.
Write in the first person and plain English. Skip empty phrases such as “passionate go-getter”.
Experience and education
- List each role with dates, the company and two or three bullets about what you did.
- Use numbers only when they are true and you can explain them.
- Freshers can add internships, projects, volunteering and college clubs.
- Keep your dates and job titles consistent with your resume. Build or update yours with the resume maker.
Skills
Add the skills you can discuss in an interview. Put your most relevant three at the top. Ask former colleagues or teachers for recommendations if they are willing.
Privacy and safety
- Check your visibility settings and decide what you want public.
- Do not put your home address, ID numbers or date of birth on the profile.
- Use a strong password and turn on two-step verification. See our guide on 2-factor authentication.
- Be careful with messages that offer jobs for a fee. Our guide on job scams explains the warning signs.
Keep it active
- Update it when you finish a course or change roles.
- Follow companies you like and read their posts.
- Connect with classmates, teachers and colleagues you know.
- Reply politely to recruiters, even when you decline.
Match your resume
Recruiters often compare your profile and resume. They should agree on titles, dates and skills. A mismatch looks careless. Use the same summary line on both and save your resume as a PDF with the resume maker.