Linked In GuideHere's some general guidelines to use when setting up your LinkedIn profile. It will make a big different and doesn't take much time.
Ok to start with log in to http://www.linkedin.com and click on the profile tab.
The first part of your profile you should update is the "Change summary information part". After you click on that link the first part is
"Your professional headline:" this is the part the people will see when they see you connected to another person. There are three things that you need to put under there. You can put more but make sure you put:
1) MIT LCA (this standard string will let people easily find you but putting in LCA, MIT, or MIT LCA)
2) Your major/Current job
3) Your lambda # or AM #
Then put any extra info (class year, ext)
Next list the industry your interested/work in.
After that the next section are your specialties. Try to list as many things as you can think of even if they may not be part of your major.
(For example, computer skills, lab skills, ext. think of skills you've listed on your resume)
The next section is "Write a brief overview of your professional experience and goals:". You should defiantly use this section to tell more about yourself. Think of your cover letter. What are you interested in? What type of work do you want to do? Where do you see your self in the next 5/10 years?
After this you want to click on "save changes". Then go down to the part labeled "Experience" and click on the "Add a position".
Fill out all the information regarding where you've worked in the past. This section can pretty much mirror your resume.After you've added all your positions go down and "Add education".
Instead of listing "MIT" list "Massachusetts Institute of Technology" that way you will have both "MIT" (in the Professional Headline) and "Massachusetts Institute of Technology" in your profile. Of course list your major, but instead of only listing Course 2a or whatever you might want to put what that stands for in parentheses. This allows people who search for the name of your major as well as course whatever.
Also list your actives. Make sure you list "Lambda Chi Alpha" (you've already listed LCA in your prof. headline). You can also list anything else your involved in.
An important note: Be sure to separate things with commas because these things become searchable in your profile. So in your actives if you list Lambda Chi Alpha, UROP not Lambda Chi Alpha UROP. The difference is subtle but important. You can also list your high school info if you want.
The next section is the "additional information" section.
Just click on the links to add interests, groups, and awards.
The only pointer I have for that section is to separate with commas just like in the activities section.
Lastly, scroll up to the top to edit your contact info.
Click on contact settings.
Most of what you choose here is personal preference. The only section that's important to me is the bottom where you list "Contact Advice:".
Here is where you want to put down your email addy/cell phone number, and any other way you want people to get in contact with you. You might want to put down the best times and days for people to contact you.
Well that's all. It's up to you to play around with your profile to see what works, but this is a good standard format we can all work from. Hope this helps. | 