Two students hold up their graduation scrolls

Your Graduation LinkedIn Glow-Up

Turn your degree into your next opportunity.

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Your 5-minute guide to upgrading your LinkedIn Profile

Short on time but still want a profile that dazzles potential employers? Here are our quick fixes for creating a LinkedIn profile that stands out:

  • Add a headshot - a headshot can make your profile more likely to be viewed
  • Update your headline - something short and snappy that makes you stand out from the crowd and tells people who you are
  • Add 3 key skills - what are the top skills you've gained from your time at university?
  • Write a 3 line About section - don't be afraid to brag, you've graduated from an award-winning university
  • Post your graduation update - it's time to celebrate your achievements!

Strengthen your profile today

 

Your graduate advantage

Before you update anything, be clear on your story. You are not “just graduating” you’re:

  • From an award-winning university,
  • Proven to deliver top graduate outcomes,
  • Career-ready through placements, projects, industry links,
  • You’re graduating with experience, not just a degree.

Update your LinkedIn banner with our “Proud graduate of Scotland’s Top Modern University” or “Proud graduate of Scotland Higher Education Institution of the Year” banner:

 

Build a Standout Profile

Headline - this is your most important line on LinkedIn

Formula: What you do/studied; what you're looking for; and the value you bring.

Examples:

  • Mechanical Engineering Graduate | Renewable Energy | Delivering sustainable solutions
  • Marketing Graduate | Social Media & Brand | Helping brands grow digitally
  • Computing Graduate | Data & AI | Turning insights into impact

Avoid a simple headline such as 'Graduate at RGU' - tell other LinkedIn members who you are and what you can do! Aim to be clear, outcome-focused and keyword-rich.

About section - your story

Keep it short, confident and focused on outcomes.

Follow a simple structure:

  • Who you are
  • What you've done
  • What you're looking for

Example:

I’m a Business Management graduate from the UK’s University of the Year, with hands-on experience delivering live client projects and placements. During my studies, I worked with real organisations to develop marketing strategies and improve customer engagement, giving me practical, career-ready skills. I’m now seeking opportunities where I can contribute, learn and make an impact.

Use real examples. Keep it human, not corporate.

Experience section - stand out fast

Don't just list your roles - show impact.

Structure:

  • What you did
  • How you did it
  • What changed/result

Include:

  • Placements
  • Group projects
  • Part-time roles
  • Volunteering

Example:

Developed a social media campaign for a local business, increasing engagement by 35% over 6 weeks.

Skills - make yourself searchable

Skills and key words are how you get found.  Add 10–15 relevant skills: 

  • Technical (e.g. Python, Adobe, Excel)
  • Transferable (e.g. communication, teamwork)

Don't forget to pin your top 3 skills!

Your first graduate post (a key career moment)

Post formula:

  • Graduation moment
  • University proof (award / ranking)
  • What’s next
  • Gratitude / call to action 

Tag:

Example:

Caps off – futures forward.

Proud to be graduating from the UK’s University of the Year and Scotland’s #1 for Graduate Prospects. My time at RGU gave me real experience through placements and live projects - and I’m excited to be starting my next step in (industry/role).

Looking forward to what’s next - and always open to connections and opportunities.

Exploration - research your career options

The strongest graduate profiles are built on informed career decisions - not guesswork.

Use LinkedIn to explore roles

Search for:

  • Job titles you're interested in
  • Companies you admire

Look at:

  • What skills are listed repeatedly
  • Typical career paths
  • How people describe their roles

This helps you align your profile with real market demand!

Analyse job descriptions

Pick 3-5 roles and look for patterns:

  • Key skills
  • Software/tools
  • Experience expectations

Then mirror these keywords in:

  • Your headline
  • Skills section
  • Experience descriptions

Learn from RGU Alumni - your biggest advantage

Search: Robert Gordon University and your course/industry.

Filter by:

  • Companies
  • Locations
  • Job titles

Look at:

  • Where they work
  • How they progressed
  • What experience helped

Glow-Up checklist - post your graduation story

Visit the LinkedIn Glow-Up Studio at P&J Live when you arrive for your graduation ceremony for support to complete:

  • Professional headshot
  • Updated headline
  • New 'About' section
  • Draft first graduate post
  • Add experience and skills

How to get noticed by employers

Be active (not passive)

  • Post once a week
  • Share insights or achievements
  • Engage with industry content
  • Join relevant groups

Connect strategically 

Search and connect with:

  • Alumni
  • Employers in your field
  • Recruiters

Message example:

Hi [Name], I’ve just graduated and I’m really interested in your work in [area]. I’d love to connect and learn from your experience.

However, don’t be overly persistent – understand that professional contacts are busy people. You may need to be patient. Don’t continually message the same person – instead broaden your research. LinkedIn will recommend others.

Follow target companies

  • Engage with their posts
  • Understand what they value
  • Tailor your profile accordingly

What employers are looking for

From industry insight and campaign messaging:

  • Real-world experience
  • Evidence of skills
  • Clear direction
  • Professional online presence
  • Confidence and communication

Content ideas - if you're stuck

Post about:

  • Your final project
  • Placement experience
  • "What I learned at university"
  • Industry trends
  • First day in your new role

Quick wins

  • Turn on 'Open to Work':
    • Navigate to your profile and click the blue 'open to work' button under your name,
    • Select 'finding a new job'
    • Enter your job preferences and audience settings (recruiters only vs. all members)
    • Hit 'save'
  • Customise your LinkedIn URL:
    • You can customise your LinkedIn URL to look more professional and make it easier to share by editing your public profile settings
    • Click the 'me' icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and select 'View Profile'
    • In the top-right corner, click 'edit public profile & URL'
    • Look for the 'edit your custom URL' section on the right sidebar and click the pencil icon
    • Type your desired custom URL (must be 3-100 letters or numbers with no spaces or symbols)
    • Click 'save'
  • Add your location
    • Simply edit the 'introduction' section of your profile to select your country, city and postal code
  • Upload your headshot
  • Add your degree and university (with full name)