Your LinkedIn profile will let others know your credentials.  Think of this as your LinkedIn resume.  When people check out your profile, they may be trying to see what credentials you have so they can determine whether they want to contact you.

Here’s how to build your LinkedIn profile.

1. Log in to LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/secure/login?trk=hb_signin).  Then click on the Profile link at the top.
2. Go to the Summary section.  Add a paragraph describing the important aspects of your background.  You will probably want to include:

■      Your current status: major, university, class rank, expected graduation date

■      Your skills in your chosen field of study

■      Your future interests

■      Any honors you have received

3. Go to the Experience Section. Add any jobs you have had.  Here’s an example:

■      Co-Op at General Electric Appliance Park in Louisville, KY.  Led a production work force of 90 employees Jan12 – Aug 12.

You are limited to 2000 characters for your experience.

4. Go to the Skills and Expertise section.  Place here specific skills you have.  As much as possible, these should include skills from your major.  They can also include such things as communications skills, and leadership skills.
5. Click on the Save button to place all of these in your profile.
6. You will be then directed to the Profile page.  You will need to click on the Edit button and complete the basic information as requested.  If you want to limit who sees your Profile, you can click on the display name section.  This will limit your profile access to only those with whom you have a direct contact.
7. Complete the Professional Headline Section.  You will want to describe who you are in one sentence.
8. Then complete the Location and Industry section.  There are a number of choices.  If you are a student, you will probably use Higher Education.
9. Click on the Save Changes button.

 This will get your basic profile entered on Linkedin.  You can add additional information once your profile is created.  These additions will be described in another section. .