How to Build the Perfect LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is unlike any other social media site that you may utilize as a fashion student. On Instagram and Facebook you may post cute pictures of yourself, your friends, and the places you've been. While it is so important to always display yourself appropriately on social media because you never know who may visit your profile, it is even more important on LinkedIn! Because of this, in this article I will be providing five tips to create a better LinkedIn profile as well as grow connections.

1. Have your updated resume visible on your profile.

First of all, your one-page resume is an essential thing to have on your page. Have a friend or, even better, an industry professional look over it. Include everything you have done that is relevant to your area of study and the type of job you desire. No high school activities should still be included as a current college student unless they are still extremely relevant. For example, I worked in retail for three years in high school, which is still very suitable for my resume!

2. Have a professional headshot as your profile picture.

This profile picture should not be the same as your cute Instagram or Facebook profile picture. It should not be full-body, but rather a headshot from the waist up. It is best to look professional and put together. If you have one, your cover photo should be something creative, whether it's the logo of a side business you have, a fashion graphic, or any other innovative design that is relevant to you!

3. Update your experiences to mirror your resume.

The dates & descriptions of your experience section on your resume should be copied and pasted into the experience section of your profile. There should be no discrepancies because that can confuse a recruiter looking at your page. Here, you can also provide links to company websites or projects you have done that a recruiter might be interested in seeing.

4. Provide any other links to projects, online portfolios, or blogs.

Where you upload your resume PDF, there are also options to feature links to an online portfolio or personal blog. Link any websites about you that cannot be found anywhere else in your profile for recruiters to see.

5. Message recruiters and connect with companies that interest you.

I have a paragraph that I send to every HR recruiter of companies I want to work for when I invite them to connect. I learned this from taking The Agency de la Mode's Fashion Super Intern Course. In a nutshell, you should include why you are connecting with them: "I am beginning the job searching process or wishing to expand my professional connections and network". Introduce yourself: “I am a rising senior studying Apparel Merchandising at Auburn University". Lastly, always conclude with a signature: "Best regards, Olivia Smith (email)." I rarely am denied when I include these things in my application, so I discourage everyone from being intimidated and just put yourself out there! Also, follow brands on their LinkedIn pages. Like and comment on their posts at appropriate times to stand out as well!

While making your LinkedIn profile is a tedious process, it is worthwhile in the long run. Once you have a strong start, it is easy to update and replace your resume, profile pictures, and experiences. Connect with as many recruiters as you can, follow companies and fashion pages such as The Fashion Scholarship Fund, The National Retail Federation, The Business of Fashion, and other news sources to keep you updated on industry events and news. Also, while having a premium LinkedIn account is lovely, there is no need to if you don't want to pay. Premium members enjoy perks such as online courses, zero restrictions on messaging or connecting with others because you don't have a certain number of connections, and you can see who has viewed your profile! While I eventually recommend investing in this membership, it is not necessary when you have just made your profile.

To conclude, don't be afraid to message & connect with industry professionals. They are on LinkedIn because they want to meet determined students such as ourselves!