Perfecting Your Linkedin

LinkedIn can feel confusing and overwhelming at times. You see people posting “excited to announce..” and you’re just trying to figure out what to even put on your profile. I know because I was that student once. But here’s the thing. LinkedIn IS one of the best tools you can use as a CS student. I know it can seem to be about showing off but it’s actually about giving yourself a better chance at being seen.

So let’s talk about how to make your LinkedIn stronger and cleaner step by step. We’ll go through each part of your profile, what recruiters actually look for, and how you can make your profile stand out in the tech crowd.

First impressions matter and your profile picture and banner plays a huge part in this. My first LinkedIn profile picture was a selfie I took in NYC and I didn’t think too much of it. Do NOT do that.

Bad Example:

Here’s what works:

Take it outside with natural light (overcast days are perfect)
Simple background, no heavy distractions
Look approachable (smile, but don’t force it)
Dress how you’d show up to a career fair

You don’t need to rent a studio. A friend with a decent phone camera + portrait mode would be completely fine. Additionally, GSU offers free headshots at their Iris booth in 25 Park Place, which is where I took my current headshots.

Banner tip: Pick something that fits your vibe. It could be a tech-themed background, your city skyline, or do what I did and pick something minimalist from Canva.

Better Example:

2. Your Headline

Most people’s headlines are just:

“Student at [University Name]”

Having a headline like that makes it harder for recruiters to see you in searches because you lack keywords.

Try this formula: [Your Field/Role] | [Skills/Tech] | [Interest/Goal]

Bare minimum example:

CS Major @ GSU | iOS & Web Dev | AI Enthusiast

This is short, searchable, and actually says something about you. And DO NOT include words like “aspiring” or “future.”

2. About Section

This is your personal elevator pitch which will be a 3–5 paragraph narrative that blends who you are, what you do, and where you’re headed.

Structure:

Introduce yourself (student, school, passions)
Highlight your technical skills & experiences
Share what motivates you or what you’re seeking next

Example:

I’m a Computer Science major at Georgia State University with interests in mobile development, AI, and data-driven design. I’ve built projects ranging from iOS apps to deep learning models and enjoy turning creative ideas into impactful tech.

I’m currently seeking opportunities to grow as a software engineer and collaborate with teams building innovative solutions.

3. Featured Section

Show, don’t tell.Add visuals or links to:

GitHub projects
Personal website or portfolio
Resume (PDF)
Articles or research
Hackathon wins or demo videos

📎 Make it easy for recruiters to see your work immediately.

4. Experience Section

Your experience shows your growth and technical journey, even if you’re early in your career.

Tips:

Include all relevant work, internships, research, and club roles.
Add non-technical work too (shows responsibility and initiative).
Use 3–4 short paragraphs, not just bullet points:
1. What was your role and team?
2. What project did you lead or contribute to?
3. What impact did it have (metrics, improvements, lessons)?

Example:

Software Engineering Intern – TechCorp May 2025 – August 2025 I collaborated with the data team to build a React-based dashboard for 200+ employees. I optimized API queries, reducing load time by 30%. This project helped improve decision-making speed across departments.

💡 Treat club leadership, research, or volunteering as experience if it showcases initiative or teamwork.

5. Projects Section

Highlight the technical side of your journey. Include academic, hackathon, or personal projects where each one tells a story about your skills.

Format Example:

OGRE – Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Study AppA mobile app that allows undergraduate students to study for the 3 core areas of the GRE.Tech Stack: Swift, SwiftUI, Firebase

Designed UI with SwiftUI

Integrated Firebase authentication and real-time data syncronization

Reduced app load time by 15%

🔗 GitHub Repo | 🎥 Demo Video

6. Skills & Endorsements

Add both technical and soft skills, and get peers to endorse them.

Examples:

Python, Java, Swift, React, Node.js
Git/GitHub, SQL, Firebase, AWS
Communication, Teamwork, Leadership

✅ Link each skill to the experience or project where you used it.

7. Education, Awards, & Extras

Include:

University, degree, and expected graduation date
GPA (if 3.5+)
Coursework (e.g., Data Structures, Algorithms, OS)
Certifications (AWS, Google Cloud, etc.)
Hackathon awards or scholarships
Languages you’re learning or fluent in

🏅 Every achievement tells a story

8. Networking & Growth Strategy

Get 500+ High-Quality Connections

Aim for 500+ relevant connections over the next 6–12 months.Focus on:

Engineers and interns at your target companies
Recruiters and alumni
Hackathon teammates and tech event peers

❌ Avoid mass connecting with randoms because quality beats quantity.

Consider LinkedIn Premium

LinkedIn Premium gives you:

Unlimited connection requests
InMail to message recruiters directly
Visibility on who’s viewed your profile

Even one successful referral can easily pay for itself. Try it for 3–6 months during recruiting season.

Stay Active

Be visible. Spend 10–15 minutes a day engaging:

Comment, react, and connect genuinely
Post once a month (hackathon recap, project story, lesson learned)

Content Ideas:

What you learned this semester
A new project or feature you built
Career lessons or reflections
Event or hackathon recaps

Recruiters love seeing students who are consistently learning and building.

Outreach Tip

Always personalize your connection requests:

“Hey [Name], I’m a fellow CS student and really enjoyed your post about [topic]. Would love to connect and learn more about your work at [company].”

9. Common LinkedIn Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Selfie profile pics ❌ “Aspiring” anything ❌ Having the “Open to Work” banner visible to the public (set to recruiters only) ❌ One-line About sections ❌ Empty Featured Section ❌ No Project links ❌ Connecting with everyone on Earth ❌ Never updating your profile

🧭 10. Optimization Checklist

Area	Goal	Complete?
Profile Photo	Clear, friendly, and professional	☐
Banner	Clean, contrasting tech-related image	☐
Headline	Confident and keyword-rich	☐
About Section	3–5 paragraph personal story	☐
Featured	Projects, resume, or portfolio linked	☐
Experience	Detailed, impact-focused narratives	☐
Projects	Include GitHub or demo links	☐
Skills	10+ listed with endorsements	☐
Education	Coursework & certifications listed	☐
Connections	500+ high-quality connections	☐
Activity	Engage and post regularly	☐

11. Keep It Updated

Update your LinkedIn every semester! Add new projects, courses, and milestones. A growing profile shows recruiters you’re active, learning, and serious about your craft.

Perfecting your LinkedIn