How Can Career Advisors Make Students More Visible on LinkedIn?

Most students don’t get ignored on LinkedIn because they’re unqualified. They get ignored because recruiters can’t find them.

The keywords students use in their headline, About section, experience, and skills determine whether they appear in LinkedIn Recruiter searches built around roles, skills, certifications, and location.

And that visibility matters.

SocialPilot reports that 72% of recruiters use LinkedIn to hire, and 7 people are hired every minute on the platform.

For advisors, LinkedIn profile optimization is about making sure students show up in recruiter searches for the roles they want.

Here's exactly how you can do that using clear, repeatable profile frameworks.

What headline formulas actually drive recruiter clicks for specific majors?

Effective headlines must combine the student's current status, high-value technical keywords, and a "unique value" or future aspiration to satisfy both human readers and search algorithms.

Don't let students simply put "Student at [University]." Instead, use these major-specific formulas:

• Computer Science/STEM: [Major/Year] | [Core Technical Skills] | [Niche Interest] | [Internship Status]Example: Computer Science Senior | Python, Java, AWS | Passionate about GenAI & LLMs | Seeking Summer 2026 Internship
• Business/Finance: [Major] Student | [Specific Skillset] | [Student Org Leadership] | [Career Goal]Example: Finance Major | Financial Modeling & Bloomberg Terminal | Treasurer of Investment Club | Future Investment Banking Analyst
• Nursing/Healthcare: [Degree] Candidate | [Certification/Clinical Area] | [Soft Skill] | [Available Date]Example: BSN Candidate | CPR Certified | Specialized in Pediatric Care | Graduating May 2026

Also Read: What are some good icebreakers for career coaching sessions?

How do you build an "About" section using a plug-and-play template?

The "About" section should be a first-person narrative that connects a student’s "origin story" to their current technical skills and future value proposition. According to LinkedIn Expert Logan White, authenticity is key and this section is the student's "virtual handshake."

You can also provide students with a "Fill-in-the-Blank" framework:

"As a [Year] [Major] student at [University], I have always been driven by [specific passion or problem you want to solve]. Through my coursework and projects like [Project Name], I have developed a strong foundation in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3].Beyond the classroom, I serve as [Title] for [Student Organization], where I [quantifiable achievement, e.g., managed a $500 budget]. I am currently looking for opportunities in [Industry] where I can apply my skills in [Specific Area]. Let’s connect!"

Why this works: It satisfies the "hook" (first 3 lines) and includes the measurable impact recruiters love. According to LinkedIn, profiles detailing accomplishments with qualitative results are prioritized by the algorithm.

Also Read: How to Give Resume Feedback in 5 Minutes?

What belongs in the Featured, Experience, and Skills sections for undergraduates?

The Featured section should act as a visual portfolio, while the Experience and Skills sections must be "skill-dense" to trigger recruiter matches. Members who list skills get 2x more profile views and 4x more messages, according to LinkedIn.

1. The Featured Section

Students often leave this blank. Advise them to "Pin" 2-3 items:

• PDF of a high-grade Capstone project.
• A link to a GitHub repository or portfolio site.
• A "Professional Update" post celebrating a recent certification or internship completion.

2. The Experience Section (Beyond Part-time Jobs)

If a student lacks "corporate" experience, ask them to list:

• Academic Projects: Treat them like jobs. Use the formula: Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z].
• Volunteer Roles: Focus on the "transferable skills" (e.g., communication, scheduling).

3. The Skills Section

Encourage students to add at least 25-50 skills, prioritizing the top 3 that appear on the profile. According to Cognism, there are over 41,000 skills listed on the platform - students must choose those found in their target job descriptions.

Also Read: How to Build and Use a Standard Resume Critique Rubric?

How can advisors conduct a 5-minute LinkedIn profile audit?

A high-impact audit focuses on the "First Impression" real estate and technical "searchability" markers. Use this checklist during one-on-one appointments to provide immediate value.

Profile Review Checklist for CSPs:

• Banner Image: Does it reflect their industry (e.g., a lab for Bio, a cityscape for Finance)?
• Headline: Does it contain at least 3 industry keywords? (Avoid "Aspiring...")
• About Section: Is it written in the 1st person? Does it have a "Call to Action" at the end?
• Experience: Are there at least 3 bullet points per role using action verbs?
• Skills: Are the Top 3 skills aligned with their target job?
• Inclusion Markers: Have they recorded their Name Pronunciation (boosts views via mobile app) and added Pronouns? 72% of hiring managers believe listing pronouns is important, according to Extern.

Also Read: How can career centers close the equity gap for FGLI students?

What do "Before vs. After" transformations look like in the real world?

Real transformations move students from "passive observers" to "active candidates." According to the UW Career & Internship Center, a specific, result-oriented headline is the single biggest "quick win."

The contrast becomes clear when you compare how a typical student profile looks versus one that’s been intentionally optimized for recruiter discovery and engagement:

Also Read: How can career centers prepare students for AI-driven interviews?

Wrapping Up

LinkedIn profile optimization works best when students can do the foundational work on their own and advisors can spend their time where it matters most.

For career centers looking to extend support without stretching resources, Hiration helps bridge that gap by giving students structured, on-demand support across career assessment, resume optimization, and interview practice, alongside a counselor module to manage cohorts, workflows, and insights.

The goal isn’t more tools - it’s more productive advising conversations, backed by a secure, FERPA- and SOC 2-compliant platform.