1. Profile picture & background image
Your profile picture is the first thing people see, so make it count! Choose a clear and professional-looking photo. Avoid blurry selfies, festival pics with sunglasses, or group shots. A neutral background and good lighting will help you make a strong first impression.
Bonus tip: Add a cool background image that reflects who you are—maybe a picture related to your studies, passion, or a sleek cityscape.
2. Headline: short & powerful
The headline under your name is one of the most important parts of your profile. Use it to show who you are and what you do. Avoid generic terms like student and be more specific.
Good examples
- Marketing student focused on digital strategy & content creation
- Aspiring software developer | Experience with Python & AI
- Graphic designer | Strong in branding & visual storytelling
3. About section: your story in a nutshell
Time to write your bio! Keep it short, personal, and impactful:
- A quick intro about who you are and what you study
- Your strengths and skills
- What you’re looking for on LinkedIn (e.g., networking, internships, job opportunities)
Example
I’m a Communication student passionate about digital marketing. I have experience in social media management and content creation and am always looking for new challenges. My goal is to help businesses build effective online strategies.
Bonus tip: Keep it professional but don’t overhype yourself. No “I’m absolutely amazing at everything and every company wants to hire me.”
4. Skills & endorsements
What are you good at? Add at least 5-10 skills to your profile! Think about:
- Photoshop
- Project management
- Video editing
- Coding
- JavaScript
Ask friends, teachers, or colleagues to endorse your skills or leave a recommendation. This helps boost your profile in Google search results.
5. Experience: but what if I don’t have any?
Your LinkedIn profile should include work experience, but if you don’t have any yet—don’t worry! Anything relevant to your growth counts.
Think about:
- Internships or part-time jobs (even McDonald’s counts—skills are skills)
- Volunteer work (like helping out at events or managing social media)
- Personal projects (YouTube channel? Online business? Blog? Add it!)
Example
Social Media Manager | Founder of online clothing store
- Managed Instagram & TikTok
- Grew following to 5000+ in 6 months
- Created & planned content
6. Networking: make & maintain connections
LinkedIn is all about networking, so start connecting with people. Think about:
- Fellow students, teachers, (ex-)colleagues
- People in your field of interest (like a cool marketer or developer)
- Event speakers or people who write inspiring posts
Bonus tip: Send a short, personal message with your connection request:
“Hey [name], I see we both study [subject] and I found your post about [topic] really interesting. Would love to connect.”
7. Be proactive: get noticed
A strong profile alone isn’t enough. To stay visible, you need to be active:
- Post about your projects, internships, or interesting things you’re learning
- Comment on other posts (at least 12 words for better visibility)
- Use relevant keywords so people can find you more easily
Example post
Last week, I built my first website in React. Learned a lot about components and state management. Any tips for a beginner.
This shows you're engaged in your field and attracts people who can help you grow.
8. Customise your profile URL
A default LinkedIn URL often contains random numbers and letters like linkedin.com/in/sam-23984x—not ideal. Make it professional: linkedin.com/in/samdevries (or something that fits you). This looks cleaner on your CV and is easier to share on socials. Check LinkedIn’s guide on how to change your URL.
9. Join groups & follow companies
Join LinkedIn groups in your field to stay updated on trends and connect with valuable people. Also, follow companies you're interested in to stay informed about job openings and industry news.
10. Keep your profile up to date
Regularly update your profile. Add new experiences, projects, and skills. Your LinkedIn is a living document—keep it fresh, and you'll make a stronger impression.
Pro tip: Set a reminder every three months to update your LinkedIn. Maybe a phone notification to keep you on track.
LinkedIn quick checklist
- Profile picture = clean & professional
- Headline = short & impactful
- About section = personal & to the point
- Skills = everything counts
- Experience = anything you've done
- Connect with classmates, teachers & professionals
- Stay active: comment, like, post
- Customise your LinkedIn URL for a clean look
- Join groups & follow companies to stay updated
- Keep your profile updated regularly
By following these steps, you’ll build a strong LinkedIn profile that helps you expand your professional network and discover exciting opportunities. Let’s go!
