Yes. Below is the full master document for the Squarespace build, using the content we developed rather than condensing it. I’ve also kept your chosen visual system in mind: #0CA7BB for titles/pointers and #595A56 for body text.

Because this is a complete reusable document, I’m putting the full copy into one writing block.

THE ULTIMATE LINKEDIN PROFILE GUIDE

Build a LinkedIn Profile That Gets You Noticed

Your LinkedIn profile is more than an online résumé. It’s your professional introduction, your personal brand, and one of the first places recruiters and potential employers may go when they want to learn more about you.

A strong profile can help you get discovered, showcase your experience, highlight your accomplishments, build credibility, and connect with the right professional opportunities.

But where do you start?

This guide walks you through the process step by step—from your name, profile photo, background image, and headline to your About section, Experience, Skills, Recommendations, Networking, and ongoing LinkedIn activity.

Along the way, you’ll find practical formulas, fill-in-the-blank templates, examples, action verbs, keyword strategies, and checklists to help you create a LinkedIn profile that represents who you are, what you do, and where you want your career to go.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE INTRODUCTION

  • Why Do I Need LinkedIn?

  • Elements of an All-Star Profile

  • Before We Get Started

THE BEGINNING

  • Your Name

  • Your Profile Picture

  • Your Background Photo

  • The Attention Grabber

  • The Sell

  • The “I’m Available”

THE MIDDLE

  • Your About Section

  • Ready to Write Your Own?

  • Your Experience

  • Ready to Write Your Own?

  • Word Bank: Make a Withdrawal

  • How to Quantify Your Achievements

THE (LOOSE) ENDS

  • Education

  • Skills

  • Skills Word Bank

EXTRAS

  • Personal & Contact Information

  • Media

  • Volunteer Experience

  • Continuing Education

  • Self-Publishing Articles

  • Influencers

  • Groups

  • Companies

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Asking for a Recommendation

  • What Makes a Strong Recommendation?

NETWORKING

  • Growing Your Network

  • Networking & Outreach Templates

  • For Someone You Know

  • For Someone Who Works in the Department

  • For the Hiring Manager, Recruiter, or HR Representative

  • Make Your Outreach Stand Out

STAY VISIBLE

  • Keep It Up!

  • Your LinkedIn Profile Checklist

CONCLUSION

THE INTRODUCTION

WHY DO I NEED LINKEDIN?

Whether you’re actively looking for a new job, considering a career change, or simply trying to build your professional presence, LinkedIn can be one of the most valuable tools in your career toolkit.

Your LinkedIn profile is more than an online résumé. It’s a place to showcase your professional experience, skills, accomplishments, career goals, expertise, and personality.

It can also help recruiters and hiring managers discover you when they’re searching for candidates with your particular background and qualifications.

Think of your profile as your professional brand online.

A strong LinkedIn profile can help you:

  • Get discovered by recruiters

  • Showcase your professional experience

  • Highlight your accomplishments

  • Demonstrate your skills and expertise

  • Build your professional network

  • Connect with potential employers

  • Learn about job opportunities

  • Establish professional credibility

  • Stay current in your industry

The good news?

Creating a strong LinkedIn profile doesn’t have to be difficult.

With a little strategy, some thoughtful writing, and the right keywords, you can create a profile that accurately represents who you are and helps you attract the opportunities you want.

ELEMENTS OF AN ALL-STAR PROFILE

An effective LinkedIn profile brings several elements together to tell your professional story.

Your profile should include:

  • A professional name and profile photo

  • An engaging background photo

  • A strategic headline

  • A compelling About section

  • A keyword-rich Experience section

  • Quantifiable accomplishments

  • Relevant education

  • Targeted skills

  • Certifications and continuing education

  • Volunteer experience, when applicable

  • Relevant media and work samples

  • Recommendations

  • A strong professional network

  • Ongoing activity and engagement

The goal is to create a profile that is easy for people to understand, easy for recruiters to search, and compelling enough to encourage them to learn more about you.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED

Before you start writing, take a few minutes to think about what you want your LinkedIn profile to accomplish.

Ask yourself:

What type of position am I targeting?

What industry or industries am I interested in?

What skills do I want recruiters to associate with me?

What accomplishments am I most proud of?

What makes me different from other candidates with similar experience?

What keywords appear frequently in the job descriptions I’m targeting?

Your answers will help you build a profile that is not only engaging but also strategically aligned with your career goals.

Remember:

Your LinkedIn profile should represent where you want your career to go—not simply where it has been.

THE BEGINNING

Your LinkedIn profile begins with a few basic elements: your name, photo, background image, and headline.

While these sections may look simple, they are some of the first things recruiters and other professionals will notice.

Let’s make them count!

YOUR NAME

This one is pretty straightforward: Use your professional name.

Avoid adding unnecessary information, job titles, credentials, or keywords to your name field unless they are legitimately part of how you professionally identify yourself.

Keep it clean and professional.

YOUR PROFILE PICTURE

Your profile picture is one of the first things people notice when they visit your LinkedIn profile.

Choose a photo that is:

  • Professional

  • Current

  • Clear and high quality

  • Well lit

  • Appropriately framed

  • Consistent with your professional image

A professional headshot with a simple background is generally a safe choice.

You want your photo to communicate approachability, confidence, and professionalism.

YOUR BACKGROUND PHOTO

Your background photo gives you another opportunity to reinforce your professional brand.

Consider an image that relates to:

  • Your industry

  • Your profession

  • Your area of expertise

  • Your personal brand

  • Your career goals

You can also use a simple, professional design that complements your profile photo and headline.

Think of your background image as the visual backdrop for your professional story.

THE ATTENTION GRABBER

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

A strong LinkedIn headline quickly tells people what you do, what you specialize in, and the value you bring.

For example:

Looking for smarter ways to streamline your operations? | Operations Coordinator | Process Improvement & Team Support

Ready to bring your brand to life? | Graphic Designer | Visual Branding & Digital Content

Helping teams stay organized and on track | Project Coordinator | Planning, Communication & Process Management

Turning data into actionable insights | Data Analyst | Reporting, Analytics & Business Intelligence

HOW TO DO IT

Start with a question, statement, or need that connects with your target audience.

Then, briefly highlight how you can help or what you bring to the table.

Finish with your job title and key skills or specialties.

Use relevant keywords that align with your career goals and the opportunities you want to attract.

THE GOAL

Grab the reader’s attention immediately while clearly communicating your value, professional identity, and areas of expertise.

Your headline should make someone want to stop scrolling and learn more about you.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Attention-Grabber + Value You Provide + Job Title + Key Skills or Specialty

THE SELL

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

Technically Savvy Sales Consultant Optimizing CRM & Database Performance in the SaaS Space

Compassionate Customer Success Coordinator Taking Client Service to the Next Level

HOW TO DO IT

To start, choose a compelling and descriptive adjective like dynamic, motivated, driven, collaborative, or creative.

Then, list your job title—or a job title that best describes what you do or what you’d like to be doing—and close out with a brief explanation of your specialty.

For example:

Outgoing Receptionist Delivering Exceptional Guest Experiences

Exceptionally Organized Project Manager Specializing in the Software Development Lifecycle

You can also tack your industry on at the end if you have space!

Think about the language a recruiter might use when searching for someone with your background.

Your headline should naturally include terms related to your target job title, skills, specialty, and industry whenever possible.

THE GOAL

Sell the value you bring by quickly showing recruiters and potential employers what you do, what you’re good at, and where your expertise fits.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Strong Descriptive Word(s) + Your Job Title + Brief Explanation of What You Specialize in + Your Industry (Optional)

THE “I’M AVAILABLE”

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

Motivated, Adaptable Computer Science Graduate Seeking Software Development Opportunities

Exceptionally Organized Office Manager Specializing in Facilities Management | Currently Seeking New Opportunities

HOW TO DO IT

As with the other two formulas, choose a compelling and descriptive adjective like dynamic, motivated, driven, collaborative, or creative.

Then, list your job title—or a job title that best describes what you do or what you’d like to be doing—and close out with a brief explanation of your specialty.

For example:

Outgoing Receptionist Delivering Exceptional Guest Experiences

Exceptionally Organized Project Manager Specializing in the Software Development Lifecycle

Next, you’ll want to mention that you’re not only looking for new opportunities but which opportunities or industries you’re targeting.

Try something like:

Currently Seeking Account Executive Opportunities in the Pharmaceutical Space.

Be specific when possible. Naming your target role or industry can help communicate exactly what you’re looking for.

THE GOAL

Make it immediately clear to recruiters and potential employers what type of opportunity you’re seeking while highlighting the experience and expertise you bring to that role.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Strong Descriptive Word(s) + Your Job Title + Brief Explanation of What You Specialize in + Your Industry (Optional) + “Currently Seeking” Details

THE MIDDLE

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to move on to the heart and soul of your LinkedIn profile.

Your About and Experience sections are ripe with opportunities to use industry-specific keywords, highlight your accomplishments, and show off your sparkling personality.

So, let’s dive right in!

YOUR ABOUT SECTION

Your LinkedIn About section is a golden opportunity to highlight your experience, accomplishments, and unique personality.

It’s also a great way to sneak in a few extra keywords!

While trying to capture the essence of your amazingness in a few short sentences may sound daunting, it’s actually pretty simple.

A compelling summary typically consists of three key elements:

  1. A bold, straightforward, or attention-grabbing opening line

  2. A brief, impactful summary of what you’re great at

  3. A sneak peek into what makes you unique

FOR EXAMPLE

I specialize in making customers happy.

As a Customer Success Manager with more than five years of experience in account management, I know what it takes to build strong client relationships and keep customers engaged. At ABC Company, I manage a portfolio of more than 50 client accounts.

My areas of expertise include customer retention, client relations, and issue resolution. Since joining the team, my solutions-focused approach has helped increase client retention by nearly 67% in less than a year.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me hiking, exploring new places, or relaxing with my cat. I’m always interested in connecting with other professionals, sharing ideas, and exploring new opportunities.

Let’s connect! Feel free to reach out through LinkedIn messaging.

READY TO WRITE YOUR OWN?

This template will get you started, but make it your own! This is where you draw the reader’s attention.

Your summary should reflect your unique personality and experience.

FILL-IN-THE-BLANK ABOUT TEMPLATE

[Attention-grabbing opener.]

As a [job title] with [X years of experience] in [industry or area], I specialize in [key skill, service, or area of expertise].

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to [highlight a relevant experience or contribution]. My strengths in [key skills or qualities] have helped me [describe an outcome or impact].

One accomplishment I’m especially proud of is [quantifiable achievement].

Outside of work, I enjoy [interest or activity] and [interest or activity]. I’m always interested in connecting with other professionals, sharing ideas, and exploring new opportunities.

Let’s connect! Feel free to reach out through LinkedIn messaging.

THE GOAL

Give recruiters and potential employers a quick, engaging picture of who you are, what you do well, what you’ve accomplished, and what makes you unique.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

While the content of this portion of your profile should be a reflection of your résumé, we don’t want it to be a carbon copy.

The overall tone of this section can be much more conversational—and it’ll probably be a bit more concise, too.

To start, you’ll want to be sure that your work history is accurate and up to date.

Rather than copying and pasting the content of your résumé directly into your profile, try drafting a brief summary of each role, making a point to emphasize your proudest contributions.

Here’s what it’ll look like:

As an executive assistant for XYZ Company, the nation’s fastest-growing digital advertising agency, I owned all administrative support functions for the CMO and marketing operations team. This included calendaring, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and records management.

SOME OF MY MOST NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED:

  • Implementing a new, more efficient calendaring system, resulting in a 27% decrease in scheduling conflicts.

  • Coordinating executive meetings and travel arrangements while supporting a fast-paced marketing team.

  • Improving administrative processes to help the team stay organized and operate more efficiently.

READY TO WRITE YOUR OWN?

This template will make the process a piece of cake. And be sure to check out the word bank below if you need some action verb inspiration.

FILL-IN-THE-BLANK EXPERIENCE TEMPLATE

[Job Title] | [Company Name] | [Dates]

As a [job title] at [company], I [briefly describe your primary responsibility or purpose of the role].

I’m responsible for [key responsibility], [key responsibility], and [key responsibility], with a focus on [area of expertise or business goal].

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

  • [Action verb] [what you did], resulting in [specific result or measurable outcome].

  • [Action verb] [project, process, or initiative], which [impact or improvement].

  • [Action verb] [responsibility or achievement], helping [team, company, or customer] achieve [result].

ANOTHER EXPERIENCE TEMPLATE

Ready to write your own? This template will make the process a piece of cake. And be sure to check out the word bank below if you need some action verb inspiration.

As an [insert job title] for [insert company], the [insert interesting/relevant tidbit about the employer], I [managed/owned/drove/spearheaded] [insert key responsibilities here] for the [insert function/department/your direct boss, if applicable].

This included [add additional relevant/key-word-specific job duties here].

SOME OF MY MOST NOTEWORTHY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDED:

  • [Compelling verb] [describe contribution] [define result, i.e. increased revenue by 20%].

  • [Compelling verb] [describe contribution] [define result].

  • [Compelling verb] [describe contribution] [define result].

And there you have it!

Repeat this process for your current and past jobs, and you’ll have a descriptive, engaging, and keyword-optimized Experience section in no time!

WORD BANK: MAKE A WITHDRAWAL

Need some action verb inspiration?

Here are some of our favorite words to help you strengthen your Experience section:

Achieved
Advised
Analyzed
Assessed
Championed
Conceptualized
Consulted
Coordinated
Crafted
Created
Cultivated
Curated
Delivered
Designed
Developed
Directed
Drafted
Drove
Evaluated
Exceeded
Handled
Identified
Implemented
Involved
Increased
Initiated
Launched
Led
Liaised
Managed
Maximized
Mentored
Oversaw
Owned
Partnered
Planned
Ran
Recommended
Reduced
Reimagined
Rolled Out
Spearheaded
Strengthened
Supported
Trained

NOTE: This Word Bank includes our favorite words, but is not an exhaustive list of the amazing language you can—and should—work into your profile!

HOW TO QUANTIFY YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

A NOTE ABOUT QUANTIFYING YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Including key achievements, special projects, and awards or recognitions in your profile can greatly increase your chances of job search success.

Quantifying these achievements as much as possible will likely play a key role in helping you to secure interviews and ultimately, land a new job.

Percentages, dollar amounts, and numbers or totals are the best way to quantify your achievements.

Here are a few common examples:

  • Increased efficiency by 25%

  • Grew revenue by 50%

  • Decreased turnover by 15%

  • Saved the organization $55K

  • Resulted in $10K in additional revenue

  • Grew headcount by 10 Sales Representatives

  • Planned and executed 25 industry events for over 10,000 people

NOT EXACTLY SURE HOW TO CALCULATE THESE NUMBERS?

Educated guesses are just fine—as long as your estimates are on the conservative side.

You may not be able to quantify every achievement, but do your best to apply tangible metrics to as many as possible.

Think about the numbers behind your work.

Did you:

  • Save time?

  • Save money?

  • Increase revenue?

  • Improve efficiency?

  • Reduce costs?

  • Increase customer satisfaction?

  • Manage a certain number of people?

  • Support a certain number of customers?

  • Complete a specific number of projects?

  • Serve a particular number of clients?

  • Increase productivity?

  • Reduce errors?

  • Grow an audience?

  • Manage a specific budget?

These details can turn a basic responsibility into a compelling accomplishment.

THE GOAL

Show the impact of your work instead of simply listing your responsibilities.

Whenever possible, demonstrate how your work helped the company, team, customers, or organization by using numbers, percentages, dollar amounts, time savings, growth, volume, or other measurable results.

THE (LOOSE) ENDS

You’ve tackled the heart and soul of your LinkedIn profile. Now it’s time to tie up a few of the (loose) ends.

Your Education and Skills sections may seem fairly straightforward, but they still provide valuable opportunities to reinforce your professional background, qualifications, expertise, and career goals.

Let’s take a closer look.

EDUCATION

You’ll find step-by-step instructions for adding your educational history here, but this section is pretty straightforward.

Just remember to highlight your relevant coursework, additional accomplishments, community or campus involvement, and any honors or awards you received.

Your education section doesn’t have to be limited to simply listing your degree and school. If you’re early in your career, relevant coursework, academic achievements, leadership roles, campus involvement, and honors can help provide additional context about your background.

And as a general rule of thumb, you don’t need to include your graduation date if it’s been more than ten years since you earned your degree.

HERE’S WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE:

California State University | June 2014
Bachelor of Arts in Social Science

Completed coursework in economics, history, political science, statistics, and anthropology, earning a 3.8 GPA and graduating with honors. Participated in various on-campus organizations, including C.A.V.E. and the Summer Orientation Peer Advising program.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR EDUCATION SECTION

Depending on your background and career stage, consider including:

  • Degree or certification

  • School or university

  • Field of study

  • Relevant coursework

  • Academic honors

  • GPA, particularly if it is impressive and relevant

  • Scholarships

  • Campus leadership

  • Student organizations

  • Relevant projects

  • Community involvement

  • Academic achievements

  • Other accomplishments

You don’t need to include every detail.

Instead, focus on information that helps reinforce the professional story you’re telling throughout your LinkedIn profile.

If your education is directly related to your target career, emphasize the coursework, projects, and accomplishments that support that career path.

If you’re further along in your career, your professional experience may carry more weight than your academic history. In that case, keep the education section useful and appropriately concise.

THE GOAL

Use your Education section to reinforce your qualifications and provide additional context about your academic background, particularly when it supports your career goals or target industry.

SKILLS

This section provides you with a great opportunity to load your profile up with your most relevant skills and keywords.

And don’t be shy about soliciting endorsements from your connections, either. This will help to lend credibility to the myriad of skills you’ve listed!

When choosing skills, focus on the ones that are most useful and relevant to the positions you’re targeting.

Your Skills section should support the rest of your profile—not simply become a long list of everything you’ve ever done.

Think strategically.

The skills you choose should reflect:

  • Your professional experience

  • Your areas of expertise

  • Your target job title

  • Your target industry

  • The requirements commonly found in relevant job descriptions

  • Your career goals

  • Skills you can genuinely demonstrate

WHAT BELONGS IN YOUR SKILLS SECTION?

Think about the skills that a recruiter or hiring manager would search for when looking for someone with your background.

You can include a combination of technical skills, industry-specific skills, functional skills, and transferable skills.

TECHNICAL & DIGITAL SKILLS

  • Data Analysis

  • Microsoft Excel

  • Microsoft Office

  • Google Workspace

  • CRM Management

  • Salesforce

  • Database Management

  • Project Management Software

  • Content Management Systems

  • Social Media Platforms

  • Digital Marketing

  • Search Engine Optimization

  • Graphic Design

  • Web Design

  • Reporting & Analytics

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

  • Project Management

  • Strategic Planning

  • Business Development

  • Account Management

  • Relationship Management

  • Process Improvement

  • Operations Management

  • Budget Management

  • Vendor Management

  • Change Management

  • Risk Management

  • Program Management

  • Business Analysis

  • Research

  • Reporting

COMMUNICATION & PEOPLE SKILLS

  • Communication

  • Presentation Skills

  • Public Speaking

  • Customer Service

  • Client Relations

  • Team Building

  • Collaboration

  • Relationship Building

  • Conflict Resolution

  • Negotiation

  • Coaching

  • Mentoring

  • Training & Development

ORGANIZATION & PRODUCTIVITY SKILLS

  • Organization

  • Time Management

  • Scheduling

  • Calendar Management

  • Event Planning

  • Multitasking

  • Prioritization

  • Administrative Support

  • Records Management

  • Project Coordination

  • Process Optimization

YOUR SKILLS SHOULD MATCH YOUR GOALS

One of the most important things to remember is that you don’t want to choose skills simply because they sound impressive.

Choose skills that are relevant to the opportunities you want.

Take a look at several job descriptions for the positions you’re targeting.

What skills appear again and again?

What software or technology do employers mention?

What responsibilities are consistently listed?

What terminology do companies use when describing their ideal candidate?

These recurring terms can help you identify the keywords and skills you should naturally incorporate into your LinkedIn profile—provided they genuinely reflect your experience.

For example, if you’re targeting project management positions and repeatedly see employers requesting:

Project Management • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Agile • Stakeholder Management • Process Improvement • Budget Management

those are terms worth considering if they accurately describe your experience.

THE GOAL

Use your Skills section to reinforce your professional expertise, incorporate relevant keywords, and make it easier for recruiters to identify you as a strong match for the positions you’re targeting.

SKILLS WORD BANK

Need some inspiration?

Here are some common skill terms to consider as you build your list.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Leadership • Team Management • People Management • Team Building • Coaching • Mentoring • Strategic Planning • Decision Making • Performance Management • Change Management

COMMUNICATION

Written Communication • Verbal Communication • Presentation Skills • Public Speaking • Client Communication • Internal Communications • Copywriting • Editing • Negotiation • Conflict Resolution

BUSINESS

Business Development • Business Strategy • Operations Management • Account Management • Relationship Management • Revenue Growth • Budget Management • Vendor Management • Process Improvement • Business Analysis

CUSTOMER-FOCUSED

Customer Service • Customer Success • Client Relations • Customer Retention • Account Management • Issue Resolution • Customer Experience • Relationship Building • Client Onboarding

MARKETING

Digital Marketing • Content Marketing • Social Media Marketing • Email Marketing • Brand Management • Search Engine Optimization • Search Engine Marketing • Content Creation • Marketing Strategy • Market Research

TECHNOLOGY & DATA

Data Analysis • Data Visualization • Reporting • Business Intelligence • Database Management • CRM • Salesforce • Microsoft Excel • SQL • Analytics

PROJECT & OPERATIONS

Project Management • Project Coordination • Program Management • Process Improvement • Workflow Optimization • Operations • Resource Management • Scheduling • Event Planning • Cross-Functional Collaboration

ADMINISTRATIVE

Administrative Support • Calendar Management • Travel Coordination • Meeting Coordination • Records Management • Office Management • Scheduling • Data Entry • Document Management • Executive Support

CREATIVE

Graphic Design • Visual Design • Branding • Content Creation • Copywriting • Photography • Video Production • Web Design • UX Design • Creative Direction

A QUICK WORD ABOUT KEYWORDS

Your Skills section is one piece of a much larger LinkedIn keyword strategy.

Your most important keywords should appear naturally throughout your profile—not just in your Skills section.

Look for opportunities to incorporate relevant terminology into your:

  • Headline

  • About section

  • Experience descriptions

  • Skills section

  • Education

  • Certifications

  • Articles

  • Projects

  • Other relevant profile sections

The goal is not to stuff your profile with keywords.

Instead, use the language recruiters and employers actually use when describing the work you want to do.

Your profile should still sound natural, professional, and authentically you.

REMEMBER

Keywords should support your story—not replace it.

A recruiter should be able to read your profile and understand your professional value without feeling like they’re reading a list of search terms.

EDUCATION + SKILLS = A STRONGER PROFILE

Your Education and Skills sections may be toward the end of your profile, but they still play an important role.

Together, they can help reinforce:

What you’ve learned.

What you know how to do.

What you’re qualified to do.

What you want to do next.

When these sections align with your headline, About section, and Experience section, your LinkedIn profile becomes much more cohesive.

The result is a profile that tells a consistent professional story from beginning to end.

EXTRAS

Your LinkedIn profile is loaded with extra opportunities to customize your content, so why not make the most out of them?

These sections may not receive as much attention as your headline, About section, or Experience section, but they can help you create a more complete picture of your professional background.

Let’s take a closer look at some of your profile’s most interesting “Extras.”

PERSONAL & CONTACT INFORMATION

If you’d like to make it easy for prospective employers to get in touch with you, you may want to add your contact information to your profile.

This section allows you to include information such as your:

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Personal website

  • Mailing address

You don’t have to include everything—we recommend sticking with an email address and website, if you have one.

Your contact information should make it easy for the right people to reach you while still maintaining an appropriate level of privacy.

Find step-by-step instructions for updating this section here!

POINTER

Make it easy for recruiters and professional contacts to take the next step.

If you have a professional website, portfolio, or personal career site, consider including it so visitors can learn more about your work.

MEDIA

If you have a digital portfolio, collaborated on an interesting program, assisted with a website design, were featured in an article, or drafted an awesome press release, you’re probably going to want to show it off, right?

Lucky for you, LinkedIn has a media feature that allows you to do just that!

Adding relevant media to the About or Experience sections of your profile can help flesh out your qualifications and make your page more visually appealing.

Consider adding:

  • Portfolio samples

  • Presentations

  • Articles

  • Published work

  • Websites

  • Videos

  • Projects

  • Press coverage

  • Marketing materials

  • Design work

  • Other relevant professional accomplishments

The key word here is relevant.

You don’t need to add everything you’ve ever created. Choose media that supports your professional story and demonstrates the type of work you want to be known for.

THE GOAL

Show, don’t just tell.

Whenever appropriate, give recruiters and potential employers an opportunity to see examples of your skills and accomplishments.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Including your volunteer experience—regardless of whether it relates to your industry or career path—is a great way to stand out.

Not only will it allow you to spread awareness about a cause you care about, but it’ll help to paint a more well-rounded picture of who you are as a person.

Remember, you bring way more to the table than just your work history.

When adding your volunteer experience, take some time to create a brief summary about the organization and what your role entailed.

And as always, be sure to highlight any achievements or compelling contributions, too!

HERE’S WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE:

Volunteer at The Gentle Barn
2015–2017

Cared for cows, pigs, goats, turkeys, chickens, and a llama at The Gentle Barn, a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary.

I assisted with preparing food, cleaning enclosures (yes, that meant shoveling lots of animal droppings!), answering visitor questions, and of course, hugging cows, petting goats, and giving the pigs tons of belly rubs.

POINTER

Your volunteer experience can demonstrate valuable skills such as:

Leadership • Teamwork • Communication • Organization • Community Engagement • Event Planning • Customer Service • Fundraising • Project Coordination

Think beyond the title of the volunteer position and consider what your experience demonstrates about how you work and what you value.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

If you’ve recently earned a new certification or attended any classes, special trainings, or industry workshops, you’ll want to add them here.

Including details about your continuing education endeavors will signal to prospective employers that you’re serious about your career growth and open to learning new skills.

Consider including:

  • Professional certifications

  • Industry training

  • Workshops

  • Conferences

  • Continuing education courses

  • Professional development programs

  • Technical training

  • Specialized coursework

  • Relevant licenses or credentials

Continuing education can be particularly valuable when you’re transitioning careers, developing new technical skills, or keeping up with changes in your industry.

THE GOAL

Demonstrate that your professional development doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom.

Your commitment to learning can be a valuable part of your professional story.

SELF-PUBLISHING ARTICLES

Anyone with a LinkedIn account—including you!—can write and publish their own original content.

If you have advice, expertise, or a unique perspective to share, why not think about trying your hand at writing an article?

Publishing your own content can help generate traffic to your profile and establish you as someone with knowledge and expertise in your field.

You don’t have to consider yourself a “thought leader” to get started.

You could write about:

  • Lessons you’ve learned in your career

  • Trends affecting your industry

  • Professional advice

  • A recent project

  • A career transition

  • Skills you’ve developed

  • Industry challenges

  • Helpful resources

  • Your perspective on a professional topic

The most important thing is to provide something useful to the reader.

POINTER

Share what you know.

Your professional experience has value, and LinkedIn gives you an opportunity to share that knowledge with your network.

INFLUENCERS

Following LinkedIn Influencers—a curated group of thought leaders from around the globe—is a great way to stay relevant, optimize your newsfeed, and get advice from some of the most influential minds in the world.

For example, you might follow professionals such as Arianna Huffington or Lou Adler, along with other recognized voices in your industry.

Following influential professionals can help you:

  • Stay informed about industry trends

  • Discover new ideas

  • Find useful career advice

  • Identify topics worth discussing

  • Participate in professional conversations

  • Keep your LinkedIn feed relevant

HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED.

Look for influential voices in:

Your industry • Your profession • Leadership • Recruiting • Career development • Entrepreneurship • Technology • Marketing • Business

You don’t need to follow people simply because they’re famous.

Choose people whose content is relevant to your career interests and professional goals.

GROUPS

If you come across any groups that interest you or relate to what you do, go ahead and join!

Even better?

Try participating on occasion.

This could be something as simple as liking an update that someone else posts, answering a question, sharing a useful resource, or contributing to a professional discussion.

Groups can be a great way to:

  • Network

  • Get advice

  • Learn about your industry

  • Meet other professionals

  • Discover new opportunities

  • Participate in conversations

  • Share your expertise

The best groups are ones where you can genuinely participate and connect with other professionals.

POINTER

Don’t join groups simply to increase the number displayed on your profile.

Choose groups that are relevant to your industry, profession, interests, or career goals.

Learn more about finding and joining LinkedIn Groups here.

COMPANIES

Be sure to follow any and every company that you’d be interested in working for.

It’s a great way to:

  • Stay up to date on new job opportunities

  • Learn more about organizations you’re targeting

  • Follow company news and announcements

  • Understand company culture

  • Stay informed about industry developments

  • Show that you are genuinely interested in each organization as a potential employer

Following a company can also help you become more familiar with the language it uses to describe its products, services, culture, and employees.

That information can be useful when you’re preparing to apply, network with employees, or reach out to a recruiter or hiring manager.

THE GOAL

Use your LinkedIn activity to become more informed about the companies and opportunities you’re targeting.

Following companies is a small step, but it can help you stay connected to the organizations you want to know more about.

MAKE YOUR EXTRAS WORK FOR YOU

You don’t need to complete every available LinkedIn section simply for the sake of filling out your profile.

Instead, think strategically.

Each additional section should help answer one of these questions:

What do I know?

What can I do?

What have I accomplished?

What am I interested in?

What makes me different?

Who can speak to my abilities?

What opportunities am I pursuing?

The strongest profiles use these additional sections to reinforce the professional story already established in the headline, About section, and Experience section.

Your Extras should add depth—not distraction.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Featuring glowing recommendations on your page serves to lend credibility to your profile and—let’s be honest—it makes you sound awesome, too.

So, take a moment to think:

Are there any current or former colleagues that you would feel comfortable asking for a recommendation?

Once you have a few people in mind, you can reach out to them directly with a simple ask.

ASKING FOR A RECOMMENDATION

A good recommendation request should be:

  • Personal

  • Specific

  • Easy to respond to

  • Clear about what you’d like the person to highlight

Rather than simply asking someone to “write me a recommendation,” give them a little direction.

Think about what you’d like the recommendation to reinforce.

For example:

  • Your team-building skills

  • Sales enablement expertise

  • Leadership abilities

  • Communication skills

  • Project management experience

  • Client relationship skills

  • Experience working on a particular project

  • A specific accomplishment or contribution

HERE’S WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE:

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well!

I wanted to reach out to you to ask if you’d be willing to write a LinkedIn recommendation for me. Ideally, it’d be great if you could highlight [insert whatever you’d like this person to say, i.e. “my strong team-building and sales enablement skills” or “your experience working with me on the XYZ project.”]

I’m in the process of updating my LinkedIn profile and am hoping to begin searching for a new role in the [insert industry] soon.

Thank you in advance! I really appreciate your time. And please let me know if I can ever return the favor!

Take care,

Your Name

A LITTLE PROFESSIONAL KARMA

When you ask for a recommendation, sweeten the deal by offering to return the favor by writing one for them, too!

And LinkedIn makes it super easy to ask for recommendations directly via your profile.

[Add LinkedIn recommendation instructions/link here.]

POINTER

Don’t wait until you desperately need a recommendation to start building them.

If someone has complimented your work, thanked you for your contribution to a project, or expressed appreciation for your support, that can be a great time to consider asking for a recommendation.

A handful of thoughtful, specific recommendations can add meaningful credibility to your profile.

WHAT MAKES A STRONG RECOMMENDATION?

The strongest recommendations go beyond generic statements like:

“Jane is great to work with.”

Instead, they provide context.

A useful recommendation might explain:

  • How the person knows you

  • What you worked on together

  • What you did particularly well

  • What skills you demonstrated

  • What results you achieved

  • How you contributed to the team

  • What makes you stand out

THE GOAL

Build social proof around the skills, accomplishments, and professional qualities you want recruiters and potential employers to remember.

Your profile tells people what you can do.

Recommendations let other people tell them, too.

NETWORKING

GROWING YOUR NETWORK

Taking time to build out your network will increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters—the more relevant connections you have, the more visible you’ll be.

Sounds pretty great, right?

To add to your network, go to the top menu bar and hover over Connections.

Select “Add Connections” from the drop-down menu.

LinkedIn will then give you the option of importing your email contacts to find more connections. This is a fast, easy way to quickly expand your network.

You may want to check out the “People You May Know” list, too!

And don’t forget to connect with:

  • Current colleagues

  • Former colleagues

  • Professional contacts

  • Recruiters

  • Friends

  • People you meet at industry meet-ups

  • People you meet at networking events

  • Other professionals in your field

You’ll have a robust network in no time.

POINTER

Don’t think of networking as simply collecting connections.

The goal is to build a network of people who know who you are, understand what you do, and can potentially connect you with information, people, and opportunities that align with your career goals.

NETWORKING & OUTREACH TEMPLATES

One of the truly wonderful perks of being a LinkedIn member is that you can easily search for connections who:

  • Work for the company you’d like to apply to

  • Work in the department you’re targeting

  • Work in a role similar to the one you want

  • Are connected to a recruiter or hiring manager

  • Can provide insight into the organization

  • May be able to introduce you to someone in your target company

Once you’ve identified who you’re going to follow up with, it’s time to craft your message.

This will, of course, vary depending on your audience.

Here are a few sample templates to get you started.

FOR SOMEONE YOU KNOW

If you already know the person, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

You may want to ask whether they would be willing to pass your résumé along to the appropriate recruiter or hiring manager.

OPTION 1: ASK FOR A REFERRAL

Hi [Name],

I’m planning to apply for a [job title] opportunity with [company name] and wanted to ask if you’d be open to passing my résumé on to the recruiter or hiring manager there.

I’d really appreciate your help, and please let me know if there’s anything else you need from me.

Thank you!

[Your Name]

OPTION 2: ASK FOR AN INTRODUCTION

Hi [Name],

I’m planning to apply for a [job title] opportunity with [company name], and I noticed that you’re connected with [name].

Would you be open to introducing me to them via LinkedIn?

I’d really appreciate the opportunity to connect and learn more about the company and the role.

Thanks so much!

[Your Name]

FOR SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN THE DEPARTMENT

Sometimes the best person to contact isn’t the recruiter.

Someone who actually works in the department you’re targeting may be able to give you valuable insight into the company, team, position, and hiring process.

TEMPLATE

Hi [Name],

I recently applied to a [job title] role at [company name]. It sounds like an exciting opportunity!

I wanted to reach out to you directly to ask if you would be open to sharing any insights about the company or your role there.

Any information or advice that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time!

Best,

[Your Name]

FOR THE HIRING MANAGER, RECRUITER, OR HR REPRESENTATIVE

If you’ve already applied for a position, reaching out directly can help demonstrate your interest and initiative.

The key is to keep the message professional, concise, and focused on how your experience connects to what the organization needs.

TEMPLATE

Hi [Name],

I recently applied for the [job title] role at [company name] and wanted to follow up with you directly to ask if there is any additional information you may need from me in order to move forward with my application.

This role is particularly interesting to me because your job posting mentions a need for someone with [requirement] and [requirement] experience.

I have an extensive background in [requirement] and am currently working on a [requirement] project now.

I would love to learn more about how my expertise could be a match for your organization’s goals.

If you aren’t the most appropriate person to ask, would you mind pointing me in the right direction?

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Best,

[Your Name]

MAKE YOUR OUTREACH STAND OUT

Don’t forget to make these messages stand out by infusing your personality and customizing them to demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and how you can help to solve their most pressing pain points.

A generic message is easy to ignore.

A thoughtful message shows that you’ve done your homework.

Before sending an outreach message, take a few minutes to research:

  • The company

  • The position

  • The person you’re contacting

  • The department

  • Recent company news

  • The organization’s priorities

  • Skills mentioned in the job description

Then look for a natural connection between what the company needs and what you bring to the table.

THE GOAL

Start a conversation—not simply ask for a job.

Networking works best when you approach people with genuine curiosity, professionalism, and a willingness to build a relationship.

A FEW NETWORKING RULES OF THUMB

BE PERSONAL

Use the person's name and reference something specific whenever possible.

BE BRIEF

Respect people's time. Your first message doesn't need to tell your entire career story.

BE SPECIFIC

Explain why you’re reaching out and what you’re asking for.

BE HELPFUL

Networking shouldn’t always be about what someone can do for you. Look for opportunities to return the favor, share information, or make a useful introduction.

BE PERSISTENT—BUT PROFESSIONAL

If someone doesn't respond, don't take it personally. People are busy.

A thoughtful follow-up can be appropriate, but avoid repeatedly sending messages.

BE YOURSELF

Your LinkedIn outreach should sound like you.

Professional doesn't have to mean robotic.

STAY VISIBLE

KEEP IT UP!

Establishing an active online presence will not only make you more searchable, but it will also make you more credible.

Now that you have a beautiful new profile, you’ll want to stay active by liking or sharing relevant posts that pop up in your LinkedIn feed.

Simply commenting on or reposting an industry-specific article will draw more attention to your profile and make you easier to find.

Do your best to like, comment, or share at least one post a day.

Better yet, subscribe to relevant news sources and share the articles that pique your interest with an insightful introductory line.

For example:

“Compelling read about the future of social media marketing. I found #3 to be particularly relevant.”

Or:

“Having trouble getting into a productive morning routine? Check out this post about maximizing your daily schedule.”

The goal isn’t simply to stay busy on LinkedIn.

The goal is to stay visible, demonstrate your expertise, participate in professional conversations, and give people a reason to remember you.

Staying active on LinkedIn should only take a few minutes out of your day, and it’s sure to pay off.

You’ll be surprised how quickly your profile views can increase!

YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE CHECKLIST

Think your new and improved LinkedIn profile has it all?

Run through the checklist below to be sure!

MY LINKEDIN PROFILE...

☐ Features a professional profile photo, preferably a headshot with a simple background.

☐ Has an engaging headline, not just my current job title.

☐ Has a customized URL using my name whenever possible.

☐ Has an engaging, keyword-rich About section.

☐ Is up to date and includes my most recent work history.

☐ Highlights my career achievements and accomplishments.

☐ Is easy to read and follow.

☐ Includes a brief summary for each of my relevant positions.

☐ Is keyword optimized and includes words and phrases that are common to the industry and position I’m targeting.

☐ Includes my education and professional certifications.

☐ Includes my volunteer experience, if applicable.

☐ Has a comprehensive list of relevant skills in the Skills section.

☐ Is free of spelling or grammatical errors.

☐ Has been proofread by a trusted friend, colleague, or professional.

☐ Is completely accurate.

☐ Has recommendations from my current and former colleagues and supervisors.

AND THERE’S MORE...

☐ I have joined at least 8 relevant Groups.

☐ I follow at least 8 relevant Influencers.

Examples might include professionals such as Arianna Huffington, Lou Adler, or other recognized voices in my industry.

☐ I follow companies I’m genuinely interested in working for.

☐ I regularly engage with relevant industry content.

☐ I have reviewed my profile for relevant recruiter-search keywords.

☐ My headline, About section, Experience section, and Skills section tell a consistent professional story.

☐ My profile reflects the type of opportunities I want to pursue.

BEFORE YOU HIT PUBLISH

Take one final look at your profile from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know you.

Imagine you’re a recruiter who has just landed on your page.

Within a few seconds, can you tell:

What do you do?

What are you good at?

What have you accomplished?

What type of opportunity are you looking for?

Why should someone want to connect with you?

If the answer to all five questions is yes, you’re on the right track.

Your LinkedIn profile doesn’t need to tell your entire life story.

It needs to tell the right story.

CONCLUSION

YOU DID IT!

We know that creating a stunning LinkedIn profile is a bit of an undertaking, but you’re now the new owner of an engaging, keyword-optimized profile that’s sure to grab the attention of recruiters and potential future co-workers alike.

And that’s pretty awesome.

But remember: your LinkedIn profile isn’t a one-and-done project.

Be sure to stay active, keep your work history up to date, and be proactive about reaching out to recruiters, professional contacts, and people in your target industry.

Continue adding accomplishments as you achieve them.

Update your skills as you develop new ones.

Refresh your About section when your career goals change.

Add new certifications, projects, media, and recommendations as they become relevant.

And keep building your network.

The more intentional you are about managing your LinkedIn presence, the more valuable it can become as a career and networking tool.

Your profile is now ready to represent who you are, what you bring to the table, and where you’re headed next.

So go ahead.

Put yourself out there.

Start making connections.

Start conversations.

Explore new opportunities.

And most importantly, keep your profile working for you.

HAPPY JOB HUNTING!

Squarespace styling for the master copy

Use these settings consistently when building the page:

  • H1/H2/H3 headings: #0CA7BB

  • Body text: #595A56

  • Primary font: Poppins for headings

  • Body font: Lato

  • Template/callout background: #EAF8FA

  • Secondary section background: #F6F6F3

  • Page background: White

  • “THE GOAL,” “POINTER,” and “PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER” → use teal-accented callout blocks

  • Fill-in-the-blank templates → use light-teal shaded boxes

  • Checklist → use Squarespace checklist/list styling where available

  • Table of Contents → make each item an anchor link to its corresponding section

This is the master copy I would use as the source document for the Squarespace build.