Get LinkedIn advice from our Student Career Services specialists

How do I create a professional LinkedIn profile?

If there is one tool you cannot go without when looking for an internship or job, it is LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn connections can give you useful tips & advise and eventually even help you land a job or internship. You can also find vacancies on LinkedIn and keep up with the latest developments at the organizations and people you follow on LinkedIn.

Professional LinkedIn profile checklist

In general
  • Make sure the URL shows your name (remove information that is not relevant): Profile -> settings and privacy -> visibility -> edit your public profile -> edit custom URL
  • Professional profile picture . Think professional clothing, neutral background, and look straight into the camera (smiling is allowed).
  • Choose an original background photo as a banner for your profile (what do you want to radiate).
  • #opentowork option to let recruiters know you're open to opportunities.
Title
  • Provide a strong title. Use keywords that describe your expertise/function and a clear goal (e.g. MSc Finance graduated | Tilburg University | available for a job as ...).
Contact details
  • Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities (settings -> data privacy -> job seeking preferences)
  • Mention your mobile phone number and e-mail address
About
  • The about/summary is your chance to introduce yourself. Who are you? What are your skills and competencies? What motivates you? What are you passionate about? What kind of job are you looking for? Make sure that the summary reflects who you are and what you are looking for (max 300 characters).
  • Add relevant links, images or media to make your profile more attractive and in-depth. Pictures say more than words!
Experience
  • Make sure your work experience is complete, accurate and in anti-chronological order (last experience first).
  • State your tasks and responsibilities in bullets.
  • Link to the educational institutions on LinkedIn where possible and also include the specific name and a description of your field.
Education
  • Make sure your education is complete, accurate and in anti-chronological order (last eductaion first).
Skills
  • Write down at least 5 skills and ask people to endorse them.
Recommendations
  • Can you request recommendations to add to your profile? Opinions from people who have worked with you are highly valued. This way others get a good impression of you as a future employee.
Interests
  • Take a look around LinkedIn and join professional groups and follow interesting organizations.

You are ready to start networking!

Once you have your profile up to date, start connecting with others. Have a look around and investigate interesting possibilities, companies, groups, vacancies, alumni, etc. Browse for alumni and recruiters that work at interesting companies and send them a connection request. Be curious and do not be afraid to ask for help!

Read more on networking

Finding a job/ internship via LinkedIn

Next to finding a job/ internship via your network on LinkedIn you can also search for vacancies via LinkedIn. 

Read more on finding a job or internship via LinkedIn

Navigate through the model to take your next career step

Take a next step!

The path to a to a (new) career is different for everyone. What phase are you in? What steps do you still need to take? Click on the buttons above for advice from the Tilburg University career advisors!

Need help?

Please ask Student Career Services for advice.