Linked In profiles are often a part of the individual student outcomes.

In a way, this is a higher level version of the traditional “Introduce yourself to your classmates and to the professor” activity at the start of every class. A student recently asked why there was no formal introduction by coach on the first day of the trimester- this is why.

More importantly, this exercise is an immediate and practical application of marketing in the real world to the most important brand in the world for you – the brand with your name on it. So why not use effective marketing principles that we learn in class to promote your personal brand and get higher returns for doing so? Why confine your brand to the classroom when you can get a google result at the top of the google page with your name on it, for free? Why let other people determine what others see on the web about you when you can have relative control over it (as my marketing class will learn later in the course, this is your brand identity- what you say to the world vs. brand image- what the world thinks of you).

Want proof? Do a google search of my family name- “de ungria”, what do you see? Try other search engines- yahoo, bing, and what do you see? Then do a google search for your “family name” or even of your “whole name”, and what do you get? I rest my case, or in this example, I rest my link…

Here’s how to create an effective Linked In profile:

Creating the Professional You via Linked In from Remigio Joseph De Ungria

Note the following 6 key elements:

Top 10 Characteristics of a Good LinkedIn Profile

By ProfIA Bong | Ateneo Graduate School of Business – Digital Marketing Class

LinkedIn is no longer just an online résumé—it’s your digital reputation and personal brand billboard. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, entrepreneur, or graduate student of business, your LinkedIn profile speaks before you do.

Below are the Top 10 Characteristics of a Great LinkedIn Profile, ranked in order of importance—crafted especially for AGSB digital marketers who want to stand out, connect meaningfully, and lead with purpose.

1. A Clear, Professional Profile Photo

Your photo is your first impression—make it count.

Use a clear, high-resolution headshot with good lighting and a confident, approachable expression.
Avoid selfies, filters, or cropped group photos.
Dress as you would for a client presentation or interview.

✅ Tip: A professional photo can increase your profile views by over 20x.

2. A Powerful Headline That Sells Value, Not a Job Title

Go beyond “Marketing Student” or “Manager.” Your headline should show what you do and the value you bring.
Example:

“Turning Data into Decisions | Digital Marketer | AGSB MBA Candidate | Helping SMEs Scale Online”

✅ Formula: [What You Do] + [Who You Help] + [How You Add Value]

3. An Engaging “About” Section That Tells Your Story

This is your elevator pitch in digital form.

Write in the first person (“I help brands grow…”).
Share your purpose, passion, and career journey.
End with a call to action—invite people to connect or collaborate.

✅ Tip: Use storytelling—people remember stories more than skills.

4. A Complete and Strategic Experience Section

Don’t just list job titles. Show your impact.

Use bullet points that highlight achievements, not duties.
Quantify results when possible (“Increased engagement by 45%,” “Led a 10-person cross-functional team”).
Include relevant keywords for SEO optimization.

✅ Tip: Think like a recruiter—show how you solve problems.

5. Custom Banner (Cover Image) That Reflects Your Brand

Your banner is visual real estate—use it wisely.

Add your tagline, company logo, or personal brand statement.
Choose clean, professional visuals aligned with your field (e.g., marketing, analytics, leadership).

✅ Tip: A consistent color scheme between your banner, posts, and résumé creates brand recall.

6. Featured Section with Your Best Work

Highlight your best projects, presentations, or videos.

Add links to your blog, published work, campaign samples, or awards.
This section instantly builds credibility—proof of performance matters more than promises.

✅ Tip: Think of it as your personal portfolio within LinkedIn.

7. Well-Selected Skills and Endorsements

List your core and complementary skills—digital marketing, analytics, leadership, communication, etc.

Ask peers or mentors to endorse you for your top 3 skills.
Keep it relevant and updated with your latest strengths.

✅ Tip: Prioritize quality endorsements over quantity.

8. Authentic Recommendations

A few genuine recommendations are better than many generic ones.

Request recommendations from supervisors, clients, or classmates who can describe your impact.
Offer to write one for them—it builds goodwill.

✅ Tip: Use the “give and take” approach—recommend others sincerely.

9. Active Engagement and Consistent Posting

A silent profile is an invisible profile.

Share insights, comment meaningfully, and celebrate others’ successes.
Post original thoughts, articles, or reflections weekly.
Use relevant hashtags and visuals to improve reach.

✅ Tip: Consistency builds both credibility and visibility.

10. Custom LinkedIn URL and Updated Contact Info

Personalize your URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/profiabong) to look clean on résumés and presentations.
Ensure your email, website, and other contact details are up to date.

✅ Tip: This small touch signals attention to detail—a hallmark of a true professional.

Final Thoughts

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital handshake—it tells your story before you even say a word. As AGSB leaders in training, your task is to connect Purpose, Insight, and Action (PIA) in your online presence.
Be intentional. Be consistent. And most importantly, be authentic—because in a world of algorithms, authenticity always stands out.

ProfIA Bong’s Note

This is a guide—not a rubric—for our Digital Marketing class.
A great LinkedIn profile represents clarity of purpose, strength of insight, and consistency of action.
Your goal is not just to be seen—but to be remembered for the value you bring.

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