Career Tip: Craft a Creative LinkedIn Profile Headline
By Jesse Wingate, Assistant Director, Dartmouth College Career Services
Two weeks ago, our office facilitated a workshop for students that addressed the benefits of using LinkedIn.com as a professional networking tool. That being said, if you do not already have a LinkedIn profile, now is the time to start building one. For more information on how to get started, please visit: http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-1/
The Career Tip this week is about crafting a creative LinkedIn profile headline. Your headline is one of the most important pieces of your LinkedIn profile, and you should spend a few moments thinking about what message you want viewers of your profile to receive about you. The default headline is not enough, so next time you are on your LinkedIn profile, spend the time to make the adjustment.
Rather than have "Student at Dartmouth College," consider adjusting your profile to display something peculiar about who you are as a professional. For example, a stronger headline would read, "Dartmouth Senior Studying Computer Science Seeks Entry-Level Programming Role" or "Creative Dartmouth Junior Seeks Media Relations Internship for Fall."
With a generic profile, you run the risk of being passed up. Make your headline unique and put yourself out there.