LinkedIn is a great job resource for many prospective employees and employers who are looking to recruit possible candidates for employment. It's easy for job seekers to search LinkedIn to find plenty of contacts who have the potential to help your career grow and/or find a new job. LinkedIn allows for users to connect with those in their network and your profile allows for this to occur.  Your profile is the key to building your own professional brands and increasing overall visibility online as this is a wonderful way to create good employment references.

·         Create a detailed profile on LinkedIn and be sure to include all of your employment history such as current and past history, education, career industry and any web sites you own that would fit in your professional brand such as professional portfolio website.

·         Add on a photo such a small headshot photo to your LinkedIn profile.  Avoid using a casual photo and instead use a professional headshot.

·         Customize your LinkedIn URL which will be easy for not only for you to remember but for others to remember.  The link will be easy to share with others.  If your name is available then use it.

·         Complete the summary section of profile by highlight your past experience and achievements.  Don’t forget to include other skills you may such as other languages spoken and completed certifications.

·         The experience section of LinkedIn is for your online resume.  Complete the entire experience sections of your profile and be sure to include your industry and any completed education.

·         If you have done any volunteering it’s important to complete that section.  Recent surveys have shown that those who have participated in volunteer events or volunteered their services have more of an edge over those who haven’t volunteered. 

Reference: http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/content/7-ways-college-students-can-benefit-linkedin