LinkedIn is a professional networking platform which provides a multitude of opportunities for students and graduates to research and develop their career opportunities through making meaningful connections. Use our resources and tips below to help you build your LinkedIn profile and make the most of the platform.
Using LinkedIn
- What to include
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Your LinkedIn profile is an opportunity to showcase who you are, what you can offer and where you want your career to go. You don't need to have lots of work experience – your studies, projects, volunteering, societies, part-time work and interests can all demonstrate valuable skills.
Profile photo
Use a clear, professional photo where you look approachable. You don't need a formal headshot, but avoid heavily edited or informal photos. You are 14 times more likely to have your profiled viewed and 36 times more likely to receive a LinkedIn message with a profile picture.
Headline
Your headline appears alongside your name when people search for you, so make it more than just your course title. Include your area of study, key interests, skills or the type of opportunity you are looking for.
About
Use your About section to introduce yourself and give an overview of your interests, strengths, experience and career ambitions. Write in the first person and keep it authentic to you.
Education and experience
Include your University of Aberdeen degree and relevant modules, projects or coursework. Add work experience, placements, volunteering, internships, part-time jobs and extracurricular activities. Focus on what you did, what you achieved and the skills you developed.
Skills
Choose skills that reflect your experience and are relevant to the type of work you are interested in. Think beyond technical skills - communication, teamwork, organisation, problem-solving and leadership can all be valuable.
Activities and interests
Your societies, volunteering, sports, awards, interests and other activities can help show your personality and demonstrate skills that may not be obvious from your education or employment history.
Recommendations
Ask people who have worked with or taught you to write a recommendation. A recommendation can provide valuable evidence of your strengths, skills and contribution.
Keep your profile up to date! As you gain new experiences, skills and achievements, add them to your profile. Check your profile regularly to make sure it reflects where you are now and where you want to go.
Stay active: Engaging on 4 posts per day can increase your profile views by 200%-2000%!
- Using Generative AI to improve your LinkedIn profile
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Generative AI (GenAI) can help you create and improve your LinkedIn profile. Used well, it can help you identify your strengths, find the right words to describe your experience and make your profile more engaging.
You could use GenAI to:
- Create your headline: Generate ideas that highlight your course, skills, career interests and what you can offer.
- Improve your About section: Turn your experiences, interests and ambitions into a clear and engaging introduction.
- Highlight your experience: Ask GenAI to help you identify the skills and achievements demonstrated through your studies, work, volunteering or extracurricular activities.
- Identify relevant skills: Use a job description or career area to explore skills you could highlight on your profile.
- Review your profile: Ask GenAI to suggest ways to make your profile clearer, more professional and targeted towards the opportunities you are interested in.
Remember: GenAI should support your thinking, not replace it. Check and personalise anything it produces to make sure it is accurate and reflects your own experiences, skills and personality. Avoid copying AI-generated content directly into your profile.
- Get feedback
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If you would like to receive feedback on your LinkedIn profile, please use the Ask a Question service on MyCareerHub or by book a 15-minute careers appointment.