A great first impression can make a lasting impact, but you won't always have the opportunity to meet someone in person. Your LinkedIn profile can serve as your digital first impression, giving recruiters, hiring managers and new connections a glimpse into who you are beyond your résumé.
Think of LinkedIn as an extension of your résumé and your personal brand. It gives you the opportunity to showcase your experiences, highlight your accomplishments, build professional connections and discover new opportunities. Whether you're creating your first profile or updating one you've had for years, a few intentional changes can make a major difference.
Start With the Essentials
Before diving into your experiences and accomplishments, start with the first things someone will notice when they visit your profile.
Profile Photo
Your profile photo doesn't need to be a formal headshot, but it should represent you professionally. Choose a clear, recent photo with a simple background where you're easily recognizable. Think about how you would present yourself when meeting a recruiter or professional for the first time.
Banner
Don't leave the default background! Your banner is another opportunity to personalize your profile. Consider using an image connected to your school, career interests, industry or personal brand. Keep it simple and avoid overcrowding it with too much text or information.
Headline
Your headline is your opportunity to quickly introduce yourself, your current roles or involvement and where you hope to go professionally. Instead of simply listing yourself as a "student," use the space to give visitors a better idea of who you are.
For example:
Management Student | DECA Leader | Aspiring Sales Professional
Tell Your Story in the "About" Section
Your profile should feel like a person, not just a list of accomplishments. The "About" section is your opportunity to tell your professional story and let some of your personality show.
Consider including:
- Who you are
- What you're studying and your career interests
- Experiences that have shaped you
- Skills or areas you're passionate about
- What you hope to do next
Pro Tip: Write in the first person! Your "About" section should sound like you. This is also a great place to briefly explain how DECA has influenced your professional interests, goals or skills.
Build Out Your Experience — Use What You Have!
You don't need years of professional experience to build a strong LinkedIn profile. As a student, you likely have more relevant experience than you realize.
Consider including internships, part-time jobs, DECA leadership positions, student organizations, volunteer work, class projects, freelance work and other relevant experiences.
When writing about these roles, focus on the impact you made, not just the responsibilities you had. Companies want to know what you accomplished. Whenever possible, use action verbs and measurable results to tell that story.
Strong action verbs include:
- Increased
- Led
- Organized
- Developed
- Managed
Example: Served as Vice President of Membership Development for CGCC Collegiate DECA and helped grow chapter membership by 30%.
Numbers and specific accomplishments give someone viewing your profile a much clearer picture of the value you brought to a role.
Showcase Your Skills, Certifications & Accomplishments
Think of this section similarly to the skills section of your résumé. Focus on skills that are relevant to your experiences and future career goals.
These might include:
- Public speaking
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Microsoft Excel
- Canva
- Social media marketing
- Project management
- Sales
- Communication
Don't stop at skills. LinkedIn also gives you space to showcase certifications, honors and awards, languages and relevant coursework.
Pro Tip: Your DECA accomplishments belong here, too! Consider adding competitive event awards, scholarships and significant leadership recognition that demonstrate your experience and growth.
Your Profile Is Built — Now Actually Use LinkedIn!
Creating a strong profile is only the beginning. LinkedIn is a networking platform, not just an online résumé.
Start building your virtual network by connecting with people you meet, adding personalized messages to connection requests when appropriate and following companies and professionals in industries that interest you. You can also engage thoughtfully with others' posts and share your own accomplishments, projects and professional experiences.
Pro Tip: DECA conferences are full of networking opportunities. After a conference, connect with the people you met—judges, speakers, workshop presenters, alumni and fellow DECA members. A five-minute conversation can turn into a long-term professional connection when you make an effort to stay in touch.
Start Building Before You Need It
The best time to build a professional network is before you need one, so start now!
Your LinkedIn profile doesn't have to be perfect overnight. Like any personal brand, it should grow alongside your experiences. Start with what you have today, continue adding accomplishments and connections, and use the skills you've already developed through DECA to tell your professional story.
By the time the right internship, job or opportunity comes along, your profile, and your network, will already be ready. Your LinkedIn shouldn't just show what you've done, it should help people understand where you're going.
