LinkedIn profile tips that will make you look like a total pro & land you the job

Graduation is looming and you're starting to think an internship might not be a bad idea. Getting some professional experience under your belt is a great idea, but is your LinkedIn profile ready? Recruiters and hiring managers will be checking you out and LinkedIn is the first stop. Here's some LinkedIn profile tips that'll take your application to the next level.

First step, get a LinkedIn

We'd recommend getting a LinkedIn together during your sophomore if you havne't already. It's good to get your profile established and take your time to build it. That way you're not rushing to pull everything together right after you sent in your first application.

Get an appropriate profile picture

LinkedIn is all about creating connections and networking in the business world. Your profile picture should reflect your professionalism. If you don't already have an appropriate photo, take one. Put on a suit or a blouse that you'd wear to a job interview and pose against a plain background. Try to crop it at your torso so your face is clearly visable. Ladies, don't go too heavy on the makeup. The goal is to look clean and natural.

Fill in that profile & write a stellar summary

There's a lot of info that goes into your LinkedIn account. Obviously only include however much you feel comfortable with. It is the Internet after all. The more you include the more likely your profile will be found. The summary will be one of the first things people see of you besides your profile pic. Keep it short and sweet, but make it memorable so the reader learns something about who you are.

Include your school

LinkedIn can be a useful way to chat with alumni that attended your college. Connect with them and ask if they'd be willing to chat about how they went from being a student to their current position. It's never too early to get a mentor.

Treat it like your resume

The experience portion of your profile should look a lot like your resume. Be sure to include the company, time you were there, and a description of your duties. Use a lot of action verbs that emphasize your initiative. We wouldn't get too descriptive and wordy because no one wants to read that much. Focus on your successes and daily routine.

Customize your URL

When you first create a profile, LinkedIn will make an URL for you. It'll likely include your name with a ton of numbers after it. Make sure to edit that so that only your name comes in the backslash after LinkedIn.com. That will make it easier to find you and it's just more aesthically pleasing.