In this slide deck, I guide early career scientists towards a professional and functional LinkedIn Profile. If you enjoyed the thoughts shared here, please check my recent article on how scientists are using LinkedIn to enhance their careers and build their reputation: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-scientists-get-help-info-noticed-milka-kostic/

2. Before we start:
Google yourself
aka
get introduced to yourself as most others will!

3. 1.
LinkedIn Account &
Smart Phone App

4. 2.
Include a Profile Photo

5. 3.
Get Your Custom Profile URL

6. 4.
Compelling Headline

7. 5.
Summary:
Strong, Authentic & Positive

8. Questions your summary should answer (in the first person!):
Who are you?
What have you accomplished so far?
What are your interests? Passions?
What are your key strengths?
And if you are looking for a job, what sort of things you are looking for!
Does not need to be as formal as the Summary on your resume, but should be professional.
Be your professional self (authentic), and think about what sort of professional brand your like to build, so
customize your summary to reflect why you have been doing what you’ve been doing, what you love
about it and what kind of professional you are. And don’t forget to use keywords!
Length tips:
Desktop: the first 220 characters are immediately visible, the rest when you click on “View More”
Mobile: the first 92 characters are immediately visible, rest with “View More”

9. My example:
Before:
(1st paragraph) As the Chemical Biology Program Director at the Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute, I am supporting (this part shows on mobile) a vibrant
chemical biology program focused on advancing basic science of cancer
chemical biology as well as addressing challenging (this is where desktop
version ends) targets for cancer treatments and revolutionizing the science of
cancer therapeutics. (311 characters! Ooops!)
After:
(New, length-savvy version) Over the course of my career, I have been a
passionate advocate for chemical biology and its transformative power to
accelerate basic and translational scientific discoveries on the chemistry-
biology-medicine continuum. (220 - Hooray!!!!!)

10. 6.
Add Some Media:
Videos, Blogs, Posters,
Presentations…

11. 7.
Add the Skills

12. 8.
Build Your Network

13. 9.
Build Your Reputation/Brand

14. 10.
Get & Share Relevant Info

15. Remember:
Be professional, approachable,
respectful & helpful,
and don’t be shy!

16. Good luck!