LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile

Name: LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile
Rating: 4.5 (109 reviews)

Created byAdvanced Innovation Group Pro Excellence (AIGPE), Paul Connell

Last updated 5/2026

English

What you'll learn

Step-by-step tutorial to build a strong LinkedIn Social Media Presence
Prepare a keyword-rich, optimized LinkedIn profile that gets outstanding results in your job search
Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn® and discover networking techniques with focused outcomes
Build pertinent professional and personal networks to bolster your position in the job market
What Employers and Recruiters are looking for?
Tell a Story of YOU with keywords that will make you standout

Course content

6 sections • 38 lectures • 1h 45m total length

Your Visibility | Social Media | and the Job Market3:05
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile Introduction from AIGPE
Highlights addressing LinkedIn concerns from customer responses such as (1) Want to be visible in the job market and in their organization, (2) Finding employment that matches skillsets and passion, (3) I have experience and knowledge but opportunities seem to slip away, (4) Recruiters are unable to notice my skills and abilities, (5) Getting a job, etc.
Highlights addressing LinkedIn powers from the Recruiters side of the table such as (1) Organizations identifying the right talent, (2) 83% of Recruiters find suitable candidates on social media, (3) How Recruiters source candidates, etc.
Provides soundbites for LinkedIn:
LinkedIn hosts 98% of the Recruiter traffic.
LinkedIn is a huge source where Recruiters flock for candidates.
Minor changes to your LinkedIn profile can have a HUGE impact.
Harness the POWER of LinkedIn.
Make your profile have an IMPACT!
Know Your Instructor3:50
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile. Know Your Trainer.
Paul Connell introduces himself and laying out how he can help improve your LinkedIn profile as a social media expert. He has helped thousands of professionals grow the visibility of the client's LinkedIn profiles by making their social media presence impactful!
Introduction to the course0:41
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile Introduction to provide you a prelude to training for hands-on expertise in making your LinkedIn profile help build your career and market your personal brand worldwide!
What is LinkedIn and What's In It for You?3:07
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: What is LinkedIn and What's in it for You?
LinkedIn is the largest professional platform and network with over 610 million members!
For jobseekers during this crazy time in the world’s history, LinkedIn is very popular as it features over 20 million jobs from 30 million companies.
The platform and network have over 300 million active monthly users. Daily, 40% of those members visit the site to look for jobs, connections, high-quality content, and the ability to acquire and convert leads.
This course will get you started by signing up to become a LinkedIn member and ending with a profile that will position you for professional success. So, during this course, we will answer such questions as (1) How do I get a LinkedIn account, (2) What should I put in my profile? (3) How will LinkedIn help me find job opportunities? And so on.
A Special Message from Paul0:52
The 9 Things that LinkedIn Sets You Up For2:06
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: The 9 Things that LinkedIn Sets You Up For.
1. LinkedIn is your personal branding site. This is the story that you want to be told to your global network, groups, communities, recruiters, etc. Basically, this is your sales page where you can shine to show how you stand out from the rest!
2. Whether you’re looking for a job or not, recruiters and human resource professionals are always nestled in the global network and can have access to your profile.
3. As part of your professional goals, LinkedIn has over 20 million job postings from a wide range of industries.
4. This platform allows you to give and receive endorsements and testimonials to your connections, companies you follow, and more.
5. As I mentioned earlier, your network of business connections is one of your most important assets throughout your professional career. LinkedIn allows you that channel to grow your network.
6. Many professional groups and like-minded people are everywhere that fits your needs and expand your knowledge base
7. Another cool feature is other people and companies will view your profile. For me, I have received job offers from recruiters that have viewed my profile and subsequently reached out to me.
8. What you’re good at should be displayed on the LinkedIn platform! Show the world your specialties.
9. LinkedIn has many articles you may read, posts by professionals in your field or beyond, industry leaders sharing their insights, etc.
Agenda0:42
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Agenda
Employers and recruiters – what they are looking for
Job seekers - what they find useful
Covering your LinkedIn account and profile top box set up
Work experience and credentials
Guidelines around your profile summary and network
Review a robust profile example (hint - it maybe mine)
LinkedIn’s Help Center – which has a ton of information
And - Wrap up
What are Employers and Recruiters are looking for?1:51
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: What Employers and Recruiters Are Looking For
1. Do you have any online presence that may be referenced? LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Having an online profile is extremely beneficial in today’s world.
2. Do you have the latest, professional photo of yourself? If you don’t, it’s a good idea to have one. We will cover that in a later lecture.
3. What kind of persona do you have and does your experience relate to a job or industry that you may be a good fit for?
4. What do you do outside of your professional life? It’s always good to have a well-rounded portfolio to show your versatility, commitments, character, etc.
5. If you have any examples of work you can display, it’s a good idea to do so. An example may be a blog, written work, a personal website that efficiently displays your body of work, projects, etc.
6. What your network looks like and who you are connected with. People, Companies, Communities, etc. If you are, this will help show the scale of the kind of person you are and the diversity you champion in your life.
What do job seekers find useful?1:18
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: What Job Seekers find useful?
If you are looking for job opportunities, online job boards are still popular for posted job openings, however, modern methods have gained significant ground.
There are facts we cannot ignore and that is social media continues to be a rising star and is skyrocketing when it comes to seeking new opportunities. 1,500 employed adults were surveyed in February of 2020 from Jobvite.com and 42% of the respondents indicated they find out about job openings on social media. This is a 10% jump from the previous year.
Introduction Quiz
Introduction Summary1:26
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Introduction Summary.
LinkedIn is the largest professional platform and network with over 610 million members!
Features over 20 million jobs from 30 million companies.
The platform and network have over 300 million active monthly users.
LinkedIn is your personal branding site.
This platform allows you to give and receive endorsements and testimonials to your connections, companies you follow, and more.
LinkedIn has many articles you may read, posts by professionals in your field or beyond, industry leaders sharing their insights, etc.
About 86% of Recruiters go to LinkedIn first when searching for talent.
Having a social media presence is critical for your professional career.
Social media continues to be a rising star and is skyrocketing when it comes to seeking new opportunities
42% of the respondents indicated they find out about job openings on social media. This is a 10% jump from the previous year.

Strengthen Your Profile - Part 1 - Introduction0:19
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile – Part 1: Strengthening Your Profile Introduction
The following is what you’ll learn as part of Strengthening Your LinkedIn Profile lectures:
Signing up to LinkedIn for membership if you don’t already have one
Adding your LinkedIn profile photo.
Creating and entering your critical LinkedIn HEADLINE.
Adding a LinkedIn background photo.
Accessing LinkedIn website4:17
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile – Part 1: Accessing LinkedIn Website.
If you do not have a LinkedIn account, then this lecture will get started by signing you up to be a member. You may use whichever browser you're comfortable with linkedin.com.
How Do I Add and Edit My Photo?3:18
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile – Part 1: How Do I Add and Edit My Photo?
It is no secret that profiles with photos are more likely to be clicked on when it shows up in a search. The importance of having a professional photo on your LinkedIn profile is critical. So, in this lecture, you will learn the benefits of:
Not forgetting to smile, always smile.
Dressing accordingly, have the photo reflect who you are.
Having a non-distracting background.
Having your photo cropped to show your head and shoulders.
And making sure your photo is clear.
Creating a Strong Headline!2:07
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile – Part 1: Creating a Strong Headline
Without question, one of the most important components to your LinkedIn top box profile is your Headline. The Headline is located below your photo and should be tailored to represent your band.
The formula introduced in this lecture for your LinkedIn Headline is Job Title + Company Name + Keywords + Zing Factor.
ACTIVITY: Creating Your Strong Headline
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile – Part 1: Creating a Strong Headline
Please take 10 minutes to write out or improve your LinkedIn Headline with the formula provided in this lecture.
How Do I Add A Background Photo To Support My Brand?3:15
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile – Part 1: How Do I Add a Background Photo to Support My Brand?
In this lecture:
You will be shown how to add a background photo in the top box of your LinkedIn profile that further represents your brand.
The guidelines to follow for LinkedIn to allow a background photo will be reviewed.
Strengthen Your Profile: Part 1 Quiz
Strengthen Your Profile - Part 1 - Summary1:10
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile – Part 1: Strengthening Your Profile – Part 1 - Summary.
You learned and completed the following:
Started a new LinkedIn account if you did not have one already.
Learned guidelines to adding your profile photo: (1) Don’t forget to smile, (2) Dress accordingly, have the photo reflect who you are, (3) No distracting background, (4) Have your photo crop your head and shoulders
Your Headline. This is one of the most critical entries you’ll make in the top box section of your profile. The formula you use is: “Job Title + Company Name + Keywords + Zing Factor”.
Added your background photo in the top box of your profile. This image should reflect your brand and make a supportive statement.

Strengthen Your Profile - Part 2 - Introduction0:26
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Strengthening Your Profile – Part 2 – Introduction
In this lecture you will be:
Entering in your work experience.
Listing your education.
Entering your licenses & certifications.
Listing your volunteer experience.
Selecting and listing your skills
And, lastly, changing your URL profile address.
Building Out My Work Experience8:16
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Building Out My Work Experience
In this lecture you will:
Build upon your job description
Strategically describe your key accomplishments using the ACTION and RESULTS format
Understand how your LinkedIn profile strength is built
Enter in your past experiences and the guidelines on following what is on your resume
Review a seasoned LinkedIn profile so you may see some good examples
Building Out My Education3:43
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Building Out My Education
In this lecture you will:
Add your education accomplishments and the order in which to enter LinkedIn
Learn how to add and showcase your degrees with the approach of listing them in descending order from the most recent to the oldest
How Do I Get Full Credit For My Licenses and Certifications?4:32
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: How Do I Get Full Credit for My Licenses & Certifications
In this lecture you will learn:
How to look up your licenses using LinkedIn’s internal data to match your credentials for a profession, clean look
How to enter any license or certification term dates. This feature will send you a reminder of when a license or certification is up for renewal
Enhancing Your Brand With Volunteer Experience1:51
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Enhancing Your Brand with Volunteer Experiences
In this lecture you will learn:
How to find the location to enter your volunteer experiences
How to enter your volunteer experiences from the Organizations, Role, Cause, Start & End Dates, and Description areas
How Do I Intensify My Skills List?2:58
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: How Do I Intensify My Skill List?
In this lecture you will learn:
How to find and locate the section to enter your Skills
How to go through the step by step discussion on how to Add Skills based on your LinkedIn profile
Recommendations on highlighting your top three Skills you wish to display on your LinkedIn profile
Personalizing Your Default URL Profile Address4:17
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Personalize Your Default URL Profile Address
In this lecture you will:
Walkthrough the two ways of locating your default LinkedIn URL address
Go through the process to personalize your address
Be shown what happens when your first, second, and third attempts fail to personalize your URL Address
Walk away with the knowledge of personalizing your LinkedIn URL Address
Strengthen Your Profile - Part 2 - Quiz
Strengthen Your Profile - Part 2 - Summary1:49
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Strengthening Your Profile Summary
You learned and completed the following:
Listing your Skills. LinkedIn allows you to list up to 50 skills. This is an important aspect of our profile. Use it to the fullest.
URL Profile Address. Never settle on the assigned URL address LinkedIn provides you. Always customize it for you.
Building out your work experience. Remember to have a succinct summary of your responsibility followed by your accomplishments. Your accomplishments must comprise of Actions and Results or Results and Actions.
“Share with network”. This is a notification setting sent to your network about profile changes. Enabling notification about your profile changes may generate a post in your network’s feed.
Your education. This is really a no brainer to showcase your accomplishments. It does not matter what level you’ve completed, showcase it.
Licenses and Certifications. We reviewed how to enter your licenses and certifications and the importance of displaying your commitment to your craft.
Volunteer Experiences. In today’s environment, it is advisable to have as well rounded a profile as possible. Volunteer experience is a fantastic way how you champion your time on giving back to your community.

Strengthen Your Profile - Part 3 - Introduction0:19
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Strengthening Your Profile – Part 3 – Introduction
In this lecture you will learn:
Guidelines for your “About” section, which, like the Headline, is one of the most critical sections of your LinkedIn profile
Build your network.
To show Recruiters, you’re open to opportunities.
The top five Settings & Privacy levers
How Do I Create My Super Critical "About" Section?6:21
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: How Do I Create My Super Critical "About" Section
In this lecture you will:
Cover guidelines recommended for a good “About” summary:
Tell a story of YOU with keywords that will make you stand out. A way to get some keywords is by looking up job postings and incorporate some of the wording employers use. You have 2,000 characters in this space to write your story and it’s a good idea to utilize as much as possible. Oh yea, spaces also count as a character.
The first three lines are the most critical. Why? Because when a potential employer, recruiter, connection, or someone first looks at your profile summary section, they will only see the first three lines. For the reader to see more, they will need to click on the “see more” link. We will go over that momentarily.
Write in 1st person. There are varying opinions out there on this but when it comes to telling your story, this is the strongest approach.
Structure – keep your paragraphs short. Typically, 3 – 4 sentences long. It’s okay to used bullet points (you can add bullets by typing “Alt+0149” – put this up on display), title paragraphs with letters that are all caps.
Content – incorporate keywords to support your brand while showcasing your accomplishments. Let “who you are” shine! Depending on your story, you should have the first part of your summary about you and the remaining portion of your summary on how you can help others. A good rule of thumb would be 30/70, ~30% about you, and ~70% on how you can help others.
Add your contact information. If you want employers, recruiters, or readers to contact you, you may also include your contact information here. Additionally, you can add a call to action such as a website link you’d like to share or even a YouTube channel you own. This helps make your summary come to life.
ACTIVITY: Creating An Impact With My "About" Summary
Building Out My Network5:12
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Building Out My Network
In this lecture, you will learn the following:
Be careful not to send invitations to your entire address book! Focus on sending invitations to only those contacts who are already LinkedIn members.
Another way is to search for a connection from the LinkedIn home page is to click in the search box and type a name to go to their profile page. DO NOT simply click Connect in the search results as you won’t have the opportunity to write a personal message.
From the home page, click My Network and scroll down through various categories of users who are recommended for you. Again, click on their name to go to their profile page to connect. It is NOT a good practice to click Connect as you won’t have the opportunity to write a personal message
How Do I Show Recruiters I'm Marketable?4:01
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: How Do I Show Recruiters I'm Marketable?
In this section you will:
Show Recruiters, you are open to work
Be able to choose what you need in your next job
Be able to choose your job titles
Walkthrough commuting options
Walkthrough different types of scheduling that suits your needs
Be able to choose who will see your profile included the tag of #OPENTOWORK indicator
Top 5 Settings & Privacy Guidelines5:03
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Top 5 Settings and Privacy Guidelines
In this lecture you will:
Be shown how to access your Settings & Privacy section of LinkedIn
Have a focus on the Privacy section
The top five to be covered:
• Edit Your Public Profile
• Who Can See Your Email Address
• Who Can See Your Connections
• Viewers of This Profile Also Viewed
• Profile Viewing Options
Bonus settings covered are:
• Share job changes, education changes, and work anniversaries from your profile
• Let Recruiters know you’re open to opportunities
Strengthen Your Profile - Part 3 - Quiz
Strengthen Your Profile - Part 3 - Summary2:01
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Strengthening Your Profile Summary
You learned and completed the following:
Your “About” Summary section. By far one of the most important sections of your profile. This is your sales page! Use it to its fullest. The guidelines to follow are, (1) Tell a story of You with keywords that will make you stand out, (2) The first three lines are the most critical, (3) Write in 1st person, (4) Keep paragraphs short, (5) Content, (6) Add your contact information.
Building out your network. Connect with people you know – family, friends, current/former colleagues, neighbors, fellow volunteers, alumni, acquaintances, etc. You may also want to choose to connect with some recruiters who specialize in your industry, occupation, and location.
Show Recruiters your marketable. If you’re looking for a job, or want to have your profile available for job opportunities, trigger this feature in the top box section of your profile.
The top five Privacy and Settings features in the Privacy section, (1) Edit your public profile, (2) Who can see your email address, (3) Who can see your connections, (4) Viewers of this profile also viewed, (5) Share job changes, education changes, and work anniversaries from your LinkedIn profile, and one added feature of “Letting Recruiters know you’re open to opportunities”.

Helpful Hints - Introduction0:19
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Helpful Hints Introduction
In this lecture you will:
Review a robust profile to bring home the previous lectures covering your LinkedIn profile
Review LinkedIn’s Help Center
Review A Seasoned Profile7:51
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Review a Seasoned Profile
In this lecture you will:
Review a seasoned profile that has a well-established Linked brand
See many of the examples covered in the preview lectures as well as the robust profile showing advanced information for you to reference
How Do I Access The Help Center?6:27
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: How Do I Access the Help Center
In this lecture you will:
Be shown how to locate LinkedIn’s Help Center
Gain knowledge on how to navigate through the Help Center to reap the benefits it provides
Helpful Hints - Summary2:04
LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile: Helpful Hints Summary
In this lecture, you completed the following:
Reviewed a seasoned LinkedIn profile for you to reference and emulate
Been exposed to LinkedIn’s Help Center and shown the way to navigate to its generous amount of information.

Requirements

The desire to build your personal brand on one of the largest corporate social media platform - LinkedIn
Access to the internet

Description

LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile | Earn official 1.5 PDUs

1.5 official PDUs are available upon request by completing this LinkedIn for Beginners Course. AIGPE™ is the Authorized Training Partner of the Project Management Institute (PMI®) (Provider No. 5573). The PMI® Authorized Training Partner Seal is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Looking to build your first LinkedIn profile or simply enhance your existing LinkedIn profile?

Did you know about 86% of Recruiters go to LinkedIn first when searching for talent?

Welcome to the LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile course from PJC Academy and AIGPE. LinkedIn is one of the most powerful social media markets for job seekers and recruiters. LinkedIn has over 610 million members. Over 20 million jobs are posted on LinkedIn. More than 30 million companies are on LinkedIn in some form or other. LinkedIn is a platform that should be leveraged by anyone who is actively or passively looking for a job. In today’s job market, careers are always shifting due to our ever-changing global environment to be ahead of the competition. The good news is, leveraging the LinkedIn platform using your LinkedIn profile allows you to have your hands on the wheel as to leading-edge job-hunting capabilities, the latest industry trends, market your brand globally, and grow your professional network to reach the ends of the earth like never seen in history.

This masterclass for Linked Beginners will help you learn how to market your persona brand to be lucrative in the market. The importance of leveraging the LinkedIn social media channel increases your global recognition cannot be overstated enough. Today, more than ever, it’s critical for your profile to stand out so you may make your social presence more lucrative in the job market.

What’s in this course for me?

Gain knowledge and accessibility to over 610 million members
You’ll learn how lookup 20 million jobs posted
You’ll learn the benefits of having access to 30 million companies
Learn basic tips and tricks to navigate around LinkedIn’s platform
You will gain crisp direction on improving your most critical Headline and About summary sections
You will be presented with the Help Center in LinkedIn that’s a very underutilized feature

What you'll learn:

Market your personal brand
A most impactful way to record your title
A most impactful way to showcase your Headline
The correct narrative for your “About” summary
Best photo of yourself to utilize
Adding a background photo in your profile top box
Add connections
Intensify your skills
Basic setting and privacy guidelines
Understanding of leveraging LinkedIn’s Help Center
Show Recruiters you're marketable
Your Brand to be more lucrative in the market
Increase social presence
Addressing impactful work experience content
Recommendations for listing educational achievements
Getting the full leverage on certifications
Individualizing your assigned personal URL address

Who this course is for:

Individuals new to LinkedIn and want to join a professional global network
Professional individuals who are in their beginning, middle, and later phases in their careers
Seasoned professional individuals looking to update their LinkedIn profile
Individuals looking to learn basic tips and tricks
Individuals who just graduated from college (undergraduate and graduate)
Individuals looking for employment

Activities:

Create or edit your "Headline"
Create or edit your "About" summary

Four quizzes:

Introduction section quiz - 3 questions
Strengthen your profile section (part 1) quiz - 3 questions
Strengthen your profile section (part 2) quiz - 3 questions
Strengthen your profile section (part 3) quiz - 3 questions

Who this course is for:

This course is only for Beginners on LinkedIn
This course is NOT for individuals who are already at an advanced stage on LinkedIn

LinkedIn for Beginners: Build a Kickass LinkedIn Profile

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction10 lectures • 19min

Strengthen Your Profile: Part 17 lectures • 14min

Strengthen Your Profile: Part 28 lectures • 28min

Strengthen Your Profile: Part 37 lectures • 23min

Helpful Hints4 lectures • 17min

Course Summary and Conclusion2 lectures • 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: