This document provides instructions for setting up a LinkedIn profile in 3 steps: 1) Signing up, 2) Creating your profile by filling out sections like headline, photo, summary, and experience, and 3) Optimizing your profile for search engines by adding your website and customizing your public profile URL. Completing your profile fully with details about your background, qualifications, and professional history allows employers to find and evaluate you as a potential job candidate.

1. LinkedIn 101: How to Setup Your LinkedIn Profile Charter College Career Services

3. Creating your profile

4. Optimizing your profile

5. LinkedIn basic checklistCharterCollege.edu

6. Step 1: Signing Up Go to http://www.LinkedIn.com Fill out the following information and click “Join Now” CharterCollege.edu

7. Step 2: Creating a Profile Many people that have LinkedIn profiles only complete one or two sections You will benefit from including as much information as you can LinkedIn gives you the ability to upload your resume; however, it is best that you manually fill this information in yourself Completing your profile is essential for many reasons: Shows employers that you are knowledgeable and that they can trust your judgment when referring graduates of Charter College Gives employers and hiring managers a chance to find you Make sure you upload a professional looking photo Gives employers an opportunity to put a face to your name and resume This is not the place to include your pets, family members, friends, etc. CharterCollege.edu

8. Step 2: Creating a Profile (cont.) Headline:Appears directly underneath your name and is one of the most important pieces of your LinkedIn profile This affects how people will find and classify you Include keywords so you can easily be found *Note: These keywords greatly influence SEO and how you are found by a search engine. There is a character limit of 120. Photo:A photo gives you more credibility. It also allows people you have networked with in the past to quickly identify you. It is important that your photo is appropriate. Make it look as professional as you can. Summary: By stating your professional experience and goals, others can learn quickly about your background. Specialties:List your areas of expertise. Use keywords in this area. Experience: This section is listed in chronological order. Your position descriptions should briefly explain your main responsibilities and accomplishments. Education: This area is also listed in chronological order. This area can open up valuable connections. CharterCollege.edu

9. Headline Current/past experience Education CharterCollege.edu

10. Step 3: Optimizing Your Profile for Search Engine Purposes There are two areas on your LinkedIn profile that can be modified for better visibility on search engines: Websites Public Profile CharterCollege.edu

11. Step 3: Optimizing Your Profile for Search Engine Purposes (cont.) Once logged into your account, click on “Profile” and then click “Edit Profile” 2. Click “Edit” next to the “Websites” section CharterCollege.edu

12. Step 3: Optimizing Your Profile for Search Engine Purposes (cont.) 3. On the drop down menu for “Websites,” choose “Other” Type in the actual name of the website and the URL (if you have a personal blog or a portfolio site, this is where you would put that) CharterCollege.edu

13. 4. Back on your “Edit Profile” tab, click “Edit” next to your Public Profile URL 5. From there you can change it to your first and last name - If that is already taken, try adding in your middle initial CharterCollege.edu Step 3: Optimizing Your Profile for Search Engine Purposes (cont.)

15. Photo

16. Summary

17. Specialties

18. Education

19. ExperienceCharterCollege.edu