Career and Talent Development offers LinkedIn ‘dos and don’ts’

Stephanie Castro/Assistant News Director

Establishing an online presence is crucial, especially when it comes to finding a new job and networking.

At the Career and Talent Development office, staff and faculty members work to help students prepare to take on anything they set their sights on, including keeping their LinkedIn profile current for possible employers.

Sonia Gonzalez Hernandez, account manager at Career and Talent Development, shared dos and don’ts for first-time LinkedIn users.

“Do have a strong, powerful top because for most headshots it’s just going to be the top up, so that’s the main focus,” said Hernandez. “Having a well fitted jacket, a shell [underneath the jacket] if you are a woman, a male in a nice shirt with a coordinating tie, a jacket, if possible, but making sure that it fits right.”

Hernandez also recommends a clean cut look with a trimmed beard for men, and light makeup for females.

“What I tell students all the time is your LinkedIn or your professional headshot is not a glamour shot,” said Hernandez. “It is you at your best at any given business day because on LinkedIn you need to look like yourself. Your headshot is your virtual handshake.”

Despite keeping up appearances, one of Hernandez’s main tips is showing teeth in your profile shot and to smile to the point that your eyes crinkle.

“LinkedIn does a bunch of articles on what recruiters look at and these are the things they constantly hear, because when you smile your eyes naturally crinkle. If you look at a picture and it’s just a blank face you don’t know what they’re thinking,” said Hernandez.

A few more tips include taking the photo in front of a solid background or in a professional setting, not cutting people out of the photo, wearing clothing relevant to your industry, such as a doctor in a lab coat, and making sure the photo is not a selfie.

The Career and Talent Development office also Offers a headshot service. Students can take advantage by simply registering under the events section on their Panther JOBLink account.

Another service regularly offered by the Career and Talent Development office are resume reviews.

According to the Career and Talent Development website, a resume should demonstrate your knowledge, skills, abilities, interests and passions.

A winning resume should be consistent and easy to read one-page document with 10-12 point Times New Roman font and free of personal pronouns. Industry-specific skills and a clear objective with a separate page of at least three to five professional references will set candidates apart.

The Career and Talent Development Department offers walk-in hours Monday – Friday from 2 p.m– 5 p.m. at the Engineering Center and Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. at MMC and BBC.

For further information on the most current information regarding events and workshops, visit career.fiu.edu.