LinkedIn Workshop

Getting Started

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

There are several main features of LinkedIn, including:

  • News Feed
  • Profile
  • Network
  • Jobs
  • Interests & Learning (Lynda)
  • Pending Invivations

We will be using LinkedIn as a tool for inbound marketing yourself and creating credibility as you transition to a new tech career. For the purpose of this LinkedIn lesson, we will be focused on creating a LinkedIn Profile. You can read more about what LinkedIn offers in this article.

Step 1: Create a Free LinkedIn Account

  • Navigate in Google Chrome to LinkedIn.com
  • Complete the form and click "Join Now"

Step 2: Create a Headline for Your Profile

Here's what your headline should include:

  • Offer information on your experiences and career
  • Apply keywords
  • Specify a job title that can be identified with

Before Example: “Vice President Sales at ABC Corporation” (your current position)

After Example: “VP Sales. Revenue Growth in Cloud-Enabled Technology Solutions. Product Development & Sales Operations Leadership” (your current position with more keywords added to more fully explain it)

Tools for Step 2:

Step 3: Present a Professional Profile Photo

  • Once you have taken and received your edited headshot, be sure to upload it to LinkedIn.

Step 4: Personalize your LinkedIn Profile URL

  • Use your name either together, such as "janejohnson" or separated by hyphens like "jane-johnson"
  • Located under your profile (Edit/Update)

Step 5: Offer your value statement through the Summary section

  • Your summary section is another key location for keywords to improve your SEO on LinkedIn. Unlike your resume, your LinkedIn summary is allowed to take a more conversational tone and include more of your personality.
  • Use other devlopers as examples.

Step 6: Add Your Work Experience

  • Make your work experience keyword-rich
  • Start by using your resume as a guide

Step 7: Add Skills

  • Add skills that are relevant to your career as a developer
  • Use other developers at companies you're interested in and/or other professionals in positions you're interested in as examples

Homework: Due Next Class Session

  • Complete all of the above steps
  • Connect with all We Can Code IT Staff, alumni, and your cohort
  • Begin endorsing relevant skills for others in your cohort
  • Add LinkedIn to your email signature

Submit Link to Your LinkedIn Profile to Your Student Success Coach

Tip: Use - LinkedIn Profile Guidelines as a checklist to ensure you have all the needed components for a strong LinkedIn profile.

Additional Resources