Develop Your Online Profile

More than 90 percent of recruiters use online profiles such as those found on Bullseye powered by Handshake and LinkedIn when hiring. Online profiles also allow you to manage your professional online identity, build your network, discover career opportunities and view the profiles of professionals in your field, along with more than 100,000 UB alumni and current students.

Why You Need an Online Profile

Employers are actively searching for you by using keywords that are in your profile. Two places you need to have profiles are Bullseye powered by Handshake and LinkedIn. Other benefits online profiles offer include:

  • Research work industries.
  • View company cultures that interest you.
  • Get personal job and internship recommendations sent right to your inbox.
  • Build your online presence.
  • Showcase your achievements.

What to Include on Your Online Profile

Your online profile is your virtual resume. Add details like your education, skills, projects and previous experiences.

Here are some typical sections you can include:

Education

List your degrees, majors, minors, study abroad and/or any other relevant training/opportunities. Note: In Bullseye powered by Handshake, your education and GPA gets automatically uploaded by the UB Office of the Registrar.

Education Example

University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Master of Art, Major, Graduation Month 20XX
Bachelor of Arts or Science, Major, Graduation Month 20XX

Experience

Any employment, internships, significant campus leadership offices, volunteer work and class/research projects.

  • Explain what were your key tasks and outcomes/results by using bullet points and action words.
  • Avoid passive phrasing such as “duties include,” “responsible for” or “project was completed by using.”
  • Quantify information by including numbers, percentages and dollar amounts.

Experience Example

Research Assistant, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York Feb 20XX-Feb 20XX
Thesis: CFD Analysis, Optimization and Fluid-Structure-Interaction Simulations (FSI) of an Axial Gas Turbine

  • Used Solidworks to model an existing turbine blade with optimized 2D and 3D grid (mes) to facilitate transient and steady state fluid analysis of turbine
  • Implemented and interpreted 3D CFD simulation and heat transfer to study the flow field (fluid) of an axial gas turbine
  • Re-engineered turbine design to maximize efficiency, resulting in 5.68% improvement in performance. Validated outcome using Goal Design Optimization
  • Conducted structural analysis (FEA) to obtain stress distribution on blades and determined the critical condition

Skills

Use this section to highlight skills that are specifically related to the job/internship you are seeking.

Skills Example

Public Speaking, Customer Service, AutoCAD, C++, Microsoft Office, Leadership, Written Communications, and Critical Thinking

Tip: Bullseye powered by Handshake and LinkedIn make it easy for you to select and choose skills from a list.

Relevant Projects

Projects that you did in class that are related to your major/career interest.

  • Identify team/classroom/individual noteworthy academic projects.
  • Concisely demonstrate your skills and knowledge.
  • Integrate other skills when communicating specific accomplishments.
  • Include your individual contributions and outcomes.
  • Supply a link to the project, if possible.

Relevant Projects Example

Marketing Plan, University at Buffalo        Spring 20XX

  • Perform situation analysis to determine relevant details about potential market share and target audience
  • Identify opportunities and challenges based on analysis to begin developing measurable objectives, strategies and implementing media plans

Accomplishments

Add any of the following accomplishments to your profile to grab the attention of more employers.

  • Courses: list coursework to help show your skills.
  • Publications: list your noteworthy published work.
  • Certifications: shows your qualifications.
  • Honors and awards: feature the recognition you've earned.
  • Organizations: show your involvement with any extracurriculars like clubs, sports, leadership roles and/or volunteering.

Accomplishments Example

Organization Name: UB Club Hockey
Position: Captain
Dates: August 20XX - Present
Description: Organize and lead weekly practices for team of 15. Studied practice schedules and modified practices to simulate competition, while communicating with players and encouraging them in order to develop team chemistry.

Tips From the Experts

When writing for an online profile, you can use the same expert tips listed for resumes and curriculum vitae that are provided on our Build a Competitive Resume or Curriculum Vitae page. Take a look at some additional tips to make your profile stand out, below.

Bullseye powered by Handshake

  • Upload an appropriate photo. If possible, make the background of your photo of something related to your field of interest.
  • Complete your Bullseye powered by Handshake profile.
  • Show off you personality when writing your "Get To Know Me" section.
  • Make your profile public so employers can find you and reach out to you about great jobs or internships.
  • Upload your resume to make applying to jobs or internships easier.
  • Complete your profile with at least one skill, work experience and organization/extracurricular. The more information you provide, the better.
  • Follow your favorite employers and be notified if they come to campus or post a position.
  • Check your notifications because employers may message you directly.

LinkedIn

  • Upload an appropriate photo. If possible, make the background of your photo of something related to your field of interest.
  • Customize your LinkedIn URL. Use your first and last name without spaces. (e.g., linkedin.com/victorbull)
  • Update your headline and summary to explain who you are (what you study) and what type of position you're seeking.
  • Add your top three skills that are related to your career interests.
  • Join LinkedIn groups related to your field of interest.
  • Be active! Share, like and comment on any content that's related to your career interests.
  • Publish posts or articles on topics of interest.
  • Start messaging people using the professional introduction message template.
  • Check your notifications because employers may message you directly.