Job, Internship Search Guides

• Create a LinkedIn Account
  1. Visit linkedin.com
  2. Use your professional or school email address
  3. Choose a strong password
     
     
• Build Your Profile
  1. Review Privacy Statement/Policies: Start by reviewing LinkedIn's privacy and data protection policies and set them to your preference. Protecting your personal information and controlling your online professional presence is important. LinkedIn has several ways you can control what sections of your profile are visible to the public vs. people in your network.
  2. Profile Photo: Use a clear, professional-looking headshot
  3. Cover Image: Change/create a cover image related to your career path or major. You can use programs like Canva or Adobe to create your own.
  4. Headline: Add a short, descriptive phrase (e.g., Psychology Student at Citrus College)
  5. Summary (About Section): Write a statement (aim for 200-500 words) highlighting your academic focus, interests, goals, and any relevant experience.
  6. Experience: List part-time jobs, internships, campus leadership roles or volunteer work
  7. Education: Add your college, major, expected graduation year, and relevant coursework or honors
  8. Skills: Include both technical and soft skills (e.g., time management, research, Adobe Photoshop)
  9. Projects or Certifications: Add class projects, creative work, or online course completions
     
     
• Join Groups
  1. Search and join groups related to your major, career path and interests. Joining groups will help populate your feed with information related to your career path.
     
     
• Search and Follow companies, industry leaders, related to your career path or major
  
  
• Grow Your Network
  1. Connect with classmates, professors, internship supervisors, and professionals you meet
  2. Personalize connection requests with a short message
     
     
• Engage on the Platform
  1. Like, share, or comment on posts related to your field
  2. Share updates about your academic achievements or learning experiences
  3. Posts should be professional. LinkedIn is not for personal updates that are not education or career related.
     
     
• Keep Your Profile Updated
  1. Add new experiences, awards, or skills as you grow
  2. Keep your contact information and career interests current
     
     
• Include Your LinkedIn URL on Your Resume
  1. Customize your URL so it is easy for employers to access. Be sure to keep your profile current and match it to your resume.
     
     

A Student's Guide to LinkedIn [a PDF presentation on the Linkedin website]

LinkedIn for Students: Learn how LinkedIn can help you with your professional future [a PDF presentation on the Linkedin website]

LinkedIn: Creating Your Profile [a video on the Candid Career website; part one of a two part series on how to set up a LinkedIn account and how to make the most of it]

LinkedIn: Using LinkedIn Effectively [a video on the Candid Career website; part two of a two part series on how to set up a LinkedIn account and how to make the most of it]