Imagine your career as a talent show, and LinkedIn is the tool that can help you take center stage. It not only helps you tell your professional story but, with the power of AI algorithms, brings opportunities right to your doorstep. So, here’s the question: Is your profile eye-catching enough?
A Clear and Powerful Business Card – Headline and Summary
When someone opens your LinkedIn profile, the first thing they see is your headline and About Me section, so it needs to be simple, concise, and engaging.
❌ MBA Candidate at SFU – It’s monotonous.
✔️ MBA | Passionate about data-driven market strategies
✔️ Future Strategy Consultant | Focused on solving complex business challenges
This immediately tells people your direction and piques their interest. You can also briefly explain why you’re pursuing business school or what goals you hope to achieve. Write in simple, sincere language—avoid being too stiff.
Profile Picture – Say No to Selfies and Filters
LinkedIn isn’t the place for casual social media posts. You don’t need an expensive photographer—just a clear, simple background and a friendly yet professional photo will do. Your profile picture should say, “I’m a reliable professional you can trust!”
Experience Description – Showcase Impact, not a Task List
Don’t just list what you did. Instead, use data and results to show what you changed. Hiring managers and recruiters care more about your impact than a list of responsibilities.
❌ Responsible for analyzing market data.
✔️ Analyzed market data, designed customer segmentation strategies, and helped the team achieve a 30% sales increase in a year.
If you’re changing fields, it’s even more important to show how your past experiences have paved the way for your current goals.
Show Initiative – Update, Interact, Share
LinkedIn functions more like a real-time career social platform. You should keep your profile active by sharing insights, case studies, or the latest industry trends, along with your thoughts. As an MBA student, you can also share your experiences from participating in case competitions. This enhances your professional image and showcases your passion and critical thinking within your industry.
The Age of AI
With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, LinkedIn is no longer just a digital resume—it has become a favorite of AI algorithms, where your career DNA is scanned. Nowadays, many companies and recruiters rely on AI algorithms to filter candidates, matching keywords to the skills and job positions with the precision of gold mining online. To keep up, LinkedIn itself rolls out AI features to help you plan your career path. So, don’t treat LinkedIn as a decoration—create your LinkedIn profile TODAY!
About the Author
Veronica Song is currently a full-time MBA student at Simon Fraser University. She earned her first degree in Language and Literature in China, followed by a Master’s degree in Managerial Psychology from the University of Manchester in the UK. Over the past ten years, she has worked for renowned global consulting firms and executive search companies, helping her clients with senior-level talent acquisition and management. She is eager to apply her experience in recruitment and career planning to the Ambassador Program to assist current and prospective students.