Learn the basics of LinkedIn: - Signing up with LinkedIn - Creating your profile - Optimizing your profile - LinkedIn basic checklist

1. LinkedIn 101: How to Setup Your LinkedIn Profile
Northwestern College Career Development and
Alumni Relations Office

2. Overview
• Signing up with LinkedIn
• Creating your profile
• Optimizing your profile
• LinkedIn basic checklist

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

4. 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 Northwestern 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.

5. 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.

6. Headline
Current/past
experience
Education

7. 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

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

9. 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)

10. Step 3: Optimizing Your Profile for Search Engine
Purposes (cont.)
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

11. LinkedIn Profile: Basic Checklist
Headline
Photo
Summary
Specialties
Education
Experience