To be completed by ALL students regardless of the qualification you are registered on.
Q.1.1 It is important to build your own brand by having an online CV even while you are
still a student. Please make use of the following weblink to create an effective and
appropriate LinkedIn profile:
(15)
Q.1.2 It is also important to look at other profiles. The website above provides examples
of exceptional LinkedIn profiles. Critically review one of the provided profiles by
answering the following questions.
1) What are the three factors that you believe makes this profile so successful?
(10)
2) What would have done differently if you were designing this profile? (10)
3) What do you believe is the weakest element of the profile? (5)
(25)
Please note, you must motivate and explain your answers. You cannot just say the profile picture is
the weakest element of the profile. You need to explain WHY you believe this to be true.
MARK ALLOCATION FOR QUESTION 1
SECTION TASK MARK ALLOCATION
Creating a LinkedIn profile Online CV created 15
Review of other LinkedIn
profiles
Three factors 10
Proposed design changes 10
Weakest element
5
Total marks for Question 1 40
Creating a LinkedIn profile:
To create an effective and appropriate LinkedIn profile, you can follow the steps below:
1. Sign up or log in to LinkedIn: Visit the LinkedIn website (www.linkedin.com) and either create a new account or log in to your existing account.
2. Complete your basic information: Fill in your name, profile picture, headline (e.g., "Student seeking internship opportunities"), and location.
3. Write a compelling summary: In the summary section, provide an overview of your background, skills, and goals. Highlight your achievements, experiences, and future aspirations. Make sure to keep it concise and engaging.
4. Add your education: Include details about your educational qualifications, such as the university or college you attend, your degree program, and any relevant coursework or projects.
5. Showcase your experiences: Include information about any internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities you have been involved in. Highlight your roles, responsibilities, and achievements in each experience.
6. Highlight your skills: List out your skills, both hard and soft, that are relevant to your desired career path. Be sure to include any certifications or technical skills you possess.
7. Ask for recommendations: Reach out to professors, mentors, or supervisors who can provide recommendations for your skills and work ethic. These recommendations can add credibility to your profile.
8. Connect with others: Connect with peers, professionals, and industry experts on LinkedIn. Building a network can open doors to opportunities and help showcase your skills to a wider audience.
Critically reviewing one of the provided profiles:
1) Factors that make this profile successful:
a) Professional Summary: The profile has a well-written summary that effectively highlights the individual's skills, experience, and goals. The summary provides a clear and concise overview that grabs the attention of viewers.
b) Accomplishments and Results: The profile showcases specific achievements and results the individual has accomplished in their work experience. This adds credibility to their skills and demonstrates their impact in previous roles.
c) Endorsements and Recommendations: The profile has multiple endorsements for relevant skills, as well as recommendations from colleagues and supervisors. These endorsements and recommendations validate the individual's abilities and strengthen their professional image.
2) Changes I would make to this profile:
a) Visual Appeal: While the content of the profile is strong, the visual presentation could be improved. Adding visual elements like images or videos relevant to their work or summarizing key achievements can make the profile more engaging.
b) Targeted Summary: The summary could be more tailored to the individual's specific career goals. By highlighting how their skills and experiences align with their desired field or industry, the profile would be more impactful.
3) The weakest element of the profile:
The weakest element of this profile is the lack of specific measurable results associated with the achievements listed. While the profile mentions accomplishments, it doesn't provide concrete data or metrics to support these claims. Adding quantifiable results can make the achievements more compelling and provide a clearer understanding of the individual's capabilities.
Overall, this profile has several strong qualities, including a well-written summary, notable accomplishments, and endorsements/recommendations. By making some visual improvements, enhancing the targeted summary, and adding specific measurable results, the profile could become even more effective.
To answer this question, you will need to follow the provided weblink to create an effective and appropriate LinkedIn profile. Once you have created your profile, you can then review one of the provided profiles on the website. Let's break down each part of the question:
Q.1.1: Creating a LinkedIn profile (15 marks)
1. Click on the provided weblink to access the website for creating a LinkedIn profile.
2. Follow the instructions and guidelines on the website to create your own LinkedIn profile.
3. Make sure to provide accurate and relevant information about yourself, including your education, skills, experiences, and any other relevant details.
4. Use a professional picture as your profile photo.
5. Fill out all relevant sections of your profile, including a headline, summary, experience, education, skills, and any additional sections that are relevant to your qualifications.
Q.1.2: Review of another LinkedIn profile (25 marks)
1. On the website, you will find examples of exceptional LinkedIn profiles to choose from.
2. Select one profile to review and analyze. Take note of the factors that you believe make this profile successful.
3. Answer the following questions related to the profile you selected:
a) What are the three factors that you believe make this profile so successful? (10 marks)
- In order to answer this question, carefully analyze the selected profile and identify three factors that contribute to its success. These factors could include the effective use of keywords, a clear and concise summary, specific and impressive experiences, endorsements and recommendations, or any other elements that stand out to you as being particularly impactful.
b) What would you have done differently if you were designing this profile? (10 marks)
- In order to answer this question, put yourself in the shoes of the person who created the profile and consider what changes or improvements you would make. This could include suggestions on the overall layout and design, modifications to the content or wording, adding or removing certain sections, or any other changes that you believe would enhance the profile's effectiveness.
c) What do you believe is the weakest element of the profile? (5 marks)
- To answer this question, identify the element of the profile that you believe is the weakest and explain why you think so. It is important to provide a reasoned explanation rather than simply stating your opinion. For example, if you believe the weakest element is the profile picture, explain why you think it is not portraying a professional image or not aligned with the overall branding of the profile.
Make sure to express your answers in a clear and logical manner, providing explanations and justifications for each response.