Sign up for a free LinkedIn account at LinkedIn.com. To set up an account, you will need to provide a valid email address you have regular access to and create a password. (Note: If you already have a LinkedIn account, skip this step; you do not need to create a new account.)

Upload a recent high-quality photo where your face (shoulders up) is the focus. Recruiters want to see the type of person they are looking to hire, so your photo should reflect who you are professionally.

Check out our 8 tips for taking professional photos employers will love.

Video resource: How to add or change your profile photo.

Your LinkedIn headline should speak to your goals and let recruiters know who you are. By default, LinkedIn will use your current job position as your headline, but you can customize it. You might say Current BYU-Pathway Worldwide student: current certificate you’re working on. For example, “Current BYU-Pathway student: Project Management”. You can also add soft skills you have learned from employment or Church service, such as “hard-working” or “adaptable”.

LinkedIn Article: Edit your headline

LinkedIn uses this data to help you connect with colleagues and potential job options in your industry and area.

LinkedIn Article: Change the industry and location on your profile

Key information in your “About” section helps recruiters find you. Our hiring partners will be looking for the phrase “I am a current BYU-Pathway Worldwide student.” Add it to your profile to show up in their searches. Another phrase that can help recruiters find you is “I prefer remote work,” if this applies to your situation.

List any certificates and degrees you have or are working on. For example:

• Certificate(s): Commercial Fundamentals Certificate
• Working on: Business and Leadership Skills Certificate and Associate of Applied Business Management

Highlight any other professional and educational accomplishments. Share the goals you have as a BYU-Pathway student and for your career.

LinkedIn Article: Edit the About section of your profile

Add additional information to your profile to help recruiters know more about you and your qualifications.

• Education: Search for and add “BYU-Pathway Worldwide” as your school, and add any other education you have. LinkedIn Article: Add, edit, or remove Education entries from your profile
• Skills and Endorsements: Add your professional skills to showcase them for recruiters. Once you’ve added skills, other people can endorse you for those skills (or confirm that you have them). Video Resource: Adding skills to your profile
• Work Experience: Share your past employment history, including the company name, dates of employment, job title, description of responsibilities, and top achievements. If you have had Church callings or volunteer positions related to your field of labor (such as missionary service, stake auditor, or ward social media specialist) you can also add this to your work section. In the summary, you can note it was a volunteer position.

LinkedIn article: Manage your experience section

• Additional Sections: Click on the “Add profile section” button under your profile picture. Scroll to “Recommended” and click “Add Languages,” “Add Courses,” and/or “Add Licenses & Certifications.”
  
  • Languages: Include English here and any other languages you speak. State your proficiency in each language.
    
  • Courses: Highlight relevant courses that may stand out to recruiters.
    
  • Licenses & Certifications: Show your earned credentials (such as “Administrative Assistant Certificate”).
    

Connections build your professional network  and boost your profile. Search for people you know from work, school, church, etc. in the LinkedIn search bar. Request to connect with them.

LinkedIn Article: Various ways to connect with people on LinkedIn

Ask people who know you well in a professional setting and who can recommend your skills and qualifications on LinkedIn. It’s better to choose someone who knows you well over someone who is well known. To do this, go to the “Recommended” tab under “Add Profile Section” and select “Recommendations.” You can then type in the name of your LinkedIn contact and write a brief message asking them for a recommendation.

LinkedIn Article: Request a recommendation

Once complete, share a link to your LinkedIn profile with your peer mentor. Your peer mentor will review your profile with you before sharing it with BYU-Pathway Worldwide.

LinkedIn Article: Find your LinkedIn public profile URL