“Hi AdaMarie! I want to create a professional online presence that makes me stand out to potential employers, but I’m not sure what’s most important to include or how to get started. What are some tips for setting up an online profile that gets noticed?”

Such a great question.

Your online profile is your way of showing a company, “these are the reasons I would be an awesome addition to your team.” But that means it’s essential to highlight all of the things that make you awesome. Compared to a dating profile where you’re trying to play it cool, your job board profile should almost be boastful! “Hey, look at me! I’m right here just waiting to contribute greatness to your team!”

Give your headline its mic-drop moment!

Many online profiles have a place for a headline. This space should captivate the employer. What can you tell them in this space that would make them want to learn more about you? Make it short, but catchy; it should hit on your major areas of expertise, awards, titles, and interests. Example: "Innovative Data Scientist | AI Enthusiast Driving Insights & Solutions | STEM Mentor and Speaker”

Make your background shine!

Your summary is your place to tell your professional story. While some may say that shorter is better, as long as you keep it relevant and engaging, you can allow this space to be longer. Let them know who you are, what you bring to the table AND what you’re looking for. Because an online profile is not the same as a resume, you can use this space to tell them about your expertise as a whole instead of a bulleted list per job and responsibility.

Example: “As a passionate and driven software developer with 4 years of experience, I specialize in creating innovative solutions using JavaScript and Python. A graduate of Impressive Bootcamp, I thrive at the intersection of problem-solving and collaboration, bringing technical expertise and a commitment to empowering others in the STEM field. In addition to my professional work, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at 3 global STEM conferences, sharing insights on technology trends and diversity in tech. My dedication to advancing women in STEM extends to mentoring through Impressive Non-Profit Organization, where I guide aspiring technologists to achieve their career goals. I’m actively seeking opportunities to leverage my technical skills and leadership experience to drive impactful projects while fostering a more inclusive future in technology.”

Show off your Superpowers!

Often, a profile will include a place to list your skills. DON’T HOLD BACK regardless of how much or how little experience you have. Whatever you list will demonstrate the following:

You’re not starting that skill from scratch.
Shows a willingness to learn and become more educated in that skill, in the case that you don’t have a ton of experience.
ATS systems (trackers from other job boards) scan profiles for key words, so make sure to adapt your profile to whatever job you’re looking for.
More is more. If you know it, list it! While overqualification may seem like it would be a deterrent, most recruiters would rather have someone who knows too much rather than too little.

And don’t forget about transferable skills! Maybe you’ve never had a corporate job before, but you babysat for 5 different families in high school or college. You must be an excellent multi-tasker and communicator, you’re adaptable and have experience in conflict resolution, and possess great time-management and problem-solving skills!

To sum up, treat your online profile like a pedestal. Stand up tall and proud and shout out all of the reasons that a company would be lucky to have you.

Because they would.