If you’re a parent eager to support your recent college grad with their job search, this post is for you. You’ll find a cheat sheet you can share with your grad to help them create (or update) a LinkedIn profile that gets noticed, highlights their skills, and builds confidence as they launch their career search.
In our house, careers are a hot topic right now. I’ve got one child entering college and another freshly graduated. If you’re in the same stage, you know the mix of pride, nerves, and the occasional sleepless night it brings.
And if you’ve read the headlines lately, the job market doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Words like “bleak” and “challenging” seem to show up daily. But here’s the thing: while grads can’t control the economy, there are practical steps they can take to stand out.
This post kicks off a new series designed for parents who want to support their recent grads in the often-overwhelming job search. First up? The tool that matters most in today’s professional world: LinkedIn.
Why LinkedIn Matters
LinkedIn is the digital version of a first impression in the professional world. With over one billion members and its role as a go-to tool for recruiters and hiring managers, it’s no longer optional for job seekers. A strong, polished profile helps recent grads:
- Get noticed by recruiters
- Showcase skills and experience (even if work history is light)
- Build a network of peers, professors, and potential mentors
- Position themselves for opportunities that don’t make it to job boards
Think of it as the online version of their resume…only with more personality, credibility, and reach.
The 12 Steps for a Strong LinkedIn Profile
Just like all social platforms, LinkedIn will continue to roll out new features but here’s a cheat sheet your grad can use that covers the most important things to get right. If your grad has not created a LinkedIn profile yet, that’s the first step. It’s free to create and easy to do…especially for digital natives 😉
#1 Create an Account
If they don’t already have an existing profile, here are the simple steps to create one:
- Go to linkedin.com and click Join now
- Use a professional email or phone number
- Add first and last name
- Confirm via code or email link
#2 Choose a Professional Profile Photo
As tempting as may be to leverage high school Senior portraits, the profile photo should be current and professional looking. The key is for your grad to portray themselves as approachable and professional.
Do:
- Use a recent headshot with good lighting
- Dress in business or business casual
- Smile and keep the background clean
Don’t:
- Use selfies, group shots, or casual party photos
#3 Add a Custom Background Banner
This is prime real estate to give a nod to their personality or industry relevance to their profile. Simply swap out the generic background for a custom image. It’s easy to create a simple design leveraging ready to use LinkedIn banner templates in Canva or Microsoft Designer.
Encourage them to use:
- A campus or graduation photo
- Industry-relevant imagery (there are a ton of free stock images to use)
- A clean Canva or Microsoft Designer banner with name and contact information. I would resist including a headshot in the banner as it is already part of the profile template.
Size tip: Create the banner size to fit 1584 x 396 pixels (4:1 ratio).
#4 Craft a Compelling Headline Under Profile Name
The headline tells people what you do (or aspire to do) in 220 characters. Instead of “Recent Graduate”, it’s better to include degree, skills, and career focus with keywords recruiters search for.
- Combine degree + skills + career goal
- Sprinkle in industry keywords
Example: “Marketing Graduate | Digital Storytelling | Helping Brands Connect with Gen Z Consumers”
#5 Write an Engaging About Section
The About section is essentially the elevator pitch to share your story, skills, and goals. Start with what excites you, highlight projects and internships, and end with a call to connect. Outline to guide your grad:
- Hook (what excites them)
- Education & skills
- Internships/projects/volunteer experience
- Career goals
- Call to action (e.g., “Let’s connect”)
Tip: This is a great way to leverage AI. Start with a draft and ask ChatGPT, Microsoft 365 Copilot or your other favorite AI tool to polish it for grammar and keywords that are important in the field they are wanting to work in.
#6 Education Section
This section is for highlighting academic foundation and relevant coursework. Thing to include:
- Degree, major, graduation year
- GPA (if 3.5+)
- Relevant coursework
- Honors, scholarships, or study abroad
#7 Highlight Skills Strategically
This section can always evolve as more experience is gained but this section helps with searchability and shows what your grad can bring to the table.
- Focus on the top 8–10 that matter most
- Pin top 3
- Ask professors, peers, or supervisors for endorsements
#8 Add Licenses & Certifications
If your grad has additional accredidations, it’s a great way to stand out and show specialized expertise. Examples could include:
- Google Analytics
- HubSpot Content Marketing
- Microsoft Office Specialist
- Programming certifications
#9 Experience Section
Now before you think this isn’t relevant yet, this is a perfect spot to showcase internships, summer jobs, volunteer roles, and projects to demonstrate skills in action. Use action verbs and measurable results (“increased engagement 35%”) instead of listing duties. Even without a long resume, grads can showcase:
- Internships (paid/unpaid)
- Part-time jobs or work-study
- Volunteer work
- Class projects
#10 Use the Featured Section
This is a great section to showcase samples of their work, accolades, or media. My daughter used this section to feature her short film that was featured in a recent film festival. Other ideas:
- Portfolio projects
- Presentations
- Writing samples
- Videos or demos
#11 Customize the LinkedIn URL
By default, LinkedIn will add numbers to your profile URL. To look more polished, it’s best to customize the URL so it looks more professional. Here’s how:
- Go to “Edit public profile & URL”
- Create a vanity link (e.g., linkedin.com/in/jane-smith-marketing or linkedin.com/in/name)
#12 Treat LinkedIn as Living, Not Static
Just like a resume, profiles should evolve as your grad gains new skills, roles, and projects. A regular refresh keeps them visible and relevant for new job opportunities.
Parent-to-Parent Advice
You may feel tempted to rewrite their summary yourself (I get it!). Instead, try this:
Download and share this free cheat sheet with your grad. Let them take the first pass.
Encourage consistency. Remind them to update their resume to match their profile so when they send in their resume, it matches what they have online.
Be a connector. Introduce them to people in your own network where it makes sense.
Guided working session: Just like learning to drive, sometimes it’s easier to outsource! I now offer personalized sessions for recent college graduates to guide them through this process and knock out their profile. If your grad is motivated to make progress but just needs a nudge or an accountability partner to make progress, consider booking a session with me. Simply email hello@careerinsightstudio.com to coordinate a time. Cost is $150 for a 60 minute virtual workshop to update their profile real-time and get it done!
Job hunting can feel overwhelming for grads and honestly, for us parents watching from the sidelines too. But starting with a strong LinkedIn profile gives them momentum, confidence, and visibility.
Remind your grad: this isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about showing up online as the capable, curious, and motivated professional they already are.
Thanks for reading and sharing! xx
