SHU Declassified: LinkedIn Survival Guide

“Your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression with employers. Our goal at SHU's Center for Career & Professional Development is to give students the tools, guidance and support they need to stand out and succeed in today’s competitive job market,” said Amy Novak, senior director of career education.

Use a professional profile photo

Before anyone reads your headline, they see your photo. Your headshot sets the tone for your entire profile, so make it count.

Your photo should be:

• Well-lit
• Clear and high quality
• Professional

Don’t have a headshot? No problem. The Center for Career & Professional Development offers free headshots through the use of their headshot photo-booth.

Write a scroll-stopping headline

A headline is often the first thing people see and plays a major role in whether they click on your profile.

• Be specific about your role, skills or focus area
• Show value, not just a job title
• Incorporate your interests, strengths and goals
• Don’t be afraid to show personality

Your headline isn’t just a label—it’s your personal brand in one line.

Write a summary

Your summary is your chance to tell your story beyond a headline. Highlight what makes you unique, what drives you and where you see yourself.

• Start strong and stand out. Find what sets you apart through your skills, interests or experiences. Share why you are passionate about your field or future industry.
• Highlight your goals and accomplishments. What have you achieved so far? Include internships, leadership roles or projects. What do you hope to accomplish during your time at SHU?
• Use keywords strategically. Review job descriptions you’re interested in and note recurring skills and keywords. Naturally incorporate them to improve visibility in searches.
• Show what motivates you. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine.
• Keep it readable. Short paragraphs or bullet points are the easiest to read.

Share your experiences

Your experience section is where your résumé comes to life.

• List all relevant roles including jobs, part-time positions, internships and on-campus roles.
• Go beyond your résumé bullet points. Use this space to be more descriptive about your experiences—explain your responsibilities, growth, impact, results and moments you’re proud of.
• Add multimedia when possible. Upload photos, videos, articles or links to projects to bring your experience to life.

Add organizations and involvement

Being involved tells employers you're engaged, motivated and community-minded.

• Share campus and community involvement. Include clubs, student organizations, volunteer groups or professional associations at SHU and beyond.
• Describe your role and impact. Highlight your leadership positions, initiatives you contributed to or goals you helped achieve.

Education information

Your education sets the foundation for your professional story.

• Start with your most recent college experience.
• Include study abroad programs, summer programs or certifications.
• Include high school.

Volunteer experience

Volunteer work is just as valuable as a paid experience.

• Include all volunteer experiences, both on and off campus.
• Describe your contributions and impact.
• Highlight transferable skills gained through volunteering.

Skills & expertise

This section helps recruiters quickly understand what you bring to the table.

• Add at least 5 key skills.
• Include skills gained from coursework, internships, jobs and leadership roles.
• Prioritize skills relevant to your target industry.
• Mix technical skills with soft skills like communication and teamwork.

Honors & awards

This is your space to showcase achievements and recognition.

• Include scholarships, academic honors and awards.
• Leadership and service awards also belong here.

Courses

Relevant coursework can strengthen your profile, especially early in your career.

• Choose classes to highlight that align with your career interests.
• Highlight courses that demonstrate specific skills.
• This section is especially helpful if you lack industry experience.

Projects & research

Projects show initiative, creativity and applied skills.

• Include academic, independent or professional projects.
• Explain your role and the outcome.
• Highlight leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Final survival tips

• Keep your profile updated regularly.
• Proofread everything—details matter.
• Remember: LinkedIn is a living document that grows with you.

Your LinkedIn profile doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be authentic, intentional and reflective of where you’re headed next.

Want to go a step further?

Want to take your LinkedIn profile to the next level? Visit the Center for Career & Professional Development’s LinkedIn page to learn more. You can also schedule an appointment through Handshake for personalized feedback and guidance.