Create your LinkedIn Profile

1. Build your profile

   Completing a full profile improves discoverability in searches by almost 30%.  Always include your: 

   • Professional headshot: Choose a plain background, good lighting and professional dress.
   • Headline: Use phrases that showcase your unique focus or expertise, incorporating keywords from your field.
   • Summary: Write your elevator pitch in first-person narrative, describing your career goals, passions and strengths with industry keywords. Remember that only the first 120 characters appear when someone visits your profile. 
   • Education: Include your degree, major, minor or concentration and graduation year. Add unique experiences, such as study abroad. 
   • Experience: Specify the company, job title, dates and location. Include a description of responsibilities and outcomes using industry keywords.
   • Skills: List transferrable skills that align with your career goals.

    

   If relevant, also include: 

   • Cover image: Design or use an image that represents your expertise or contributions to your field. 
   • Additional sections: Professional organizations, academic projects, certificates, leadership positions in campus organizations, campus involvement, volunteer experience, publications, awards and honors.

2. Expand your network

   Focus on building true, genuine connections.  

   • Start by sending connections to friends, family, neighbors, instructors, classmates, colleagues, professional contacts and fellow alumni. 
   • Connect with professionals in roles or companies you’re interested in, and follow organizations for job postings and updates to support your search.
   • Ask your network for advice, career insights or opportunities like informational interviews or job shadowing.
   • Follow organizations and professional groups working within your sector.  

3. Search for jobs

   Use a Boolean Search 

   • And: Search for all words (ex: water and resources and conservation).
   • Or: Either item (ex: jets or airplanes).
   • Exact phrase: Match the exact words (ex: “biomedical engineering”).
   • Not: Eliminate a term from the search (ex: power and motor not plant).
   • Save your searches and set email alerts for a notice when new jobs are posted.  

    

   Connect with fellow alumni 

   • Search Oklahoma State University along with your ideal job title, company or location and connect with alumni working in your field. 

    

   Join groups 

   • Find a few groups in your field and network with the professionals who post frequently.  

    

   Search for connections at a target employer 

   • If you have common connections at a target employer, reach out for advice and connect with alumni working there to grow your network. 
   • Explore the employer's page to view open positions and learn more about the organization. 

4. Utilize LinkedIn tools

   Optimize your profile for your job search 

   • Strategically place keywords throughout your profile.
   • Review recommended jobs to confirm alignment with your interests; if necessary, refine your profile keywords and update job-seeking preferences to increase visibility to recruiters.

    

   Stay in touch with connections 

   • Send personal messages when making connections, whenever possible.
   • Stay active by posting and sharing articles, liking and commenting on content and staying in contact with connections. 

    

   Forge new relationships 

   • Follow groups, companies and industry leaders to showcase your passion and interest in your field.
   • Create a custom URL to make your profile easier to access from business cards and email.