Guide to making your LinkedIn Profile
IMPORTANT: The examples within are not meant to be used as your own. Be creative and add your own spin on it!
Choose a professional photo
"Professional" doesn't have to mean suit and tie. In general, avoid:
Selfies
Photos with filters
Photos where your eyes aren't visible
Remember:
While this is considered a social media site, the purpose isn't for you to show off how cute you look, it's to find professional opportunities. You want people to take you seriously.
Write a catchy headline
As someone who maybe hasn't had a position in or related to the accounting industry yet, this part might be hard. Create a brief headline that shows your professional value, personality, or passion.
If you're still in high school:
High school senior tech geek looking to support the dynamic innovations happening in the world of accounting.
If you're still in college:
Accounting student focused on finding innovative strategies to reduce reporting inefficiencies | Excel wizard.
Write a professional summary
While you can use the one you've written for your resume or elevator pitch, we'd recommend that you switch some things up. Be creative and tell a story about what sparked your interest in accounting, listing your greatest accomplishments or expertise, or discussing your passions.
If you're still in high school:
Some call me a member of the “geek squad,” I prefer “technology inclined.” This given and self-proclaimed title comes from my experiences as a high school student uniting the worlds of predictable algorithms in AP Computer Science with unpredictable risk analysis in AP Statistics. I've realized that my desire is to make the accounting world a smarter, more efficient place for clients and companies.
If you're in college:
I'm a results driven aspiring accountant. Over the course of my three years at Illinois State University, I've dedicated my time to researching and evaluating financial reporting inefficiencies and testing innovative strategies to reduce them. I'm excited to pursue opportunities where I can help implement new initiatives that better serve clients and enhance the company's reputation.
Emphasize your experience and skills
Don't just add your position, start and end dates, and company/organization. Add bullets from your resume and even expand by adding additional details you couldn't fit before. Include leadership positions where you have relevant responsibilities or tasks (e.g., club treasurer). If you're just a member of a club, add it to the Education section under Activities and Societies.
Show off your education
Add your GPA, if it's 3.5 or above. Include information like relevant coursework, project details, and, if available, links to pdfs of your work – as long as you have permission. We're not asking you to breach any confidentiality policies.
Remember:
Always use safe practices on social media platforms and networking sites.
Get endorsements and recommendations
Reach out to your teachers or professors, previous managers or coworkers, or club advisors and ask them if they mind leaving a recommendation for you. If they agree, provide some key talking points you'd like them to address (e.g., communication skills, being detail-oriented, a specific project, etc.).
Be selective with making and accepting requests
This isn't the Oprah Winfrey show – everyone should not get an “accept” from you. Sometimes you have to hand out some “ignores” for your own safety. Be investigative and purposeful in who you choose to make connections with. Only accept requests from people you know or have been introduced to by another connection. Consider making exceptions for strangers who have several connections in common with you.
Review your security and privacy settings
You don't want to accidentally let strangers know too many personal details about you. Only add your email address as your method of contact and keep information like your birthday to yourself. Sign up for Multi-factor Authentication to protect your identity from cyberthieves that might want to hack your account.
This will be your next big thing. Start Now.
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