Did you know that sorority women are three times more likely to land an internship while in college and twice as likely to have a job upon graduation? Kappa Delta offers a wealth of experience and a vast network, but how you position yourself matters. It’s not about blending in; it’s about making an impact.
In the ever-changing landscape of professional networking, a well-crafted LinkedIn profile serves as a powerful tool for showcasing your skills, experiences and accomplishments. The skills you’ve gained through Kappa Delta are EXACTLY what employers are looking for. The leadership experience gained through your KD experience can be a valuable asset in the professional world. If you have served or are currently serving on governing council or executive board or if you are prepping for interview season, take this time to beef up your profile and really stand out.
Here are eight ways you can confidently make your LinkedIn profile shine.
- Craft a captivating headline: Your LinkedIn headline is the first thing people see when they visit your profile. Yours should be clear on who you are, what you offer and what you’re looking for, confidently incorporating your KD leadership experience.Think of it this way. A dynamic headline = current role, degree or passion + your unique skills, accomplishments or experience + your professional interests and goals.Here’s an example that instantly communicates your professional expertise, leadership experience and professional goals., “Marketing student with proven track record leveraging a 10,000-follower strong social media presence, seeking internship in social media and brand management.”
- Optimize the summary section: The summary section is the perfect spot to give an overview of your Kappa Delta leadership journey. Share the skills you gained, projects you led, and impact you made within the sorority and your community. Be sure to highlight relevant accomplishments, such as successful event planning, community outreach initiatives, membership growth, or fundraising campaigns.
- Drop the jargon: In recent years, Kappa Delta updated the titles of many of our leadership roles to reflect skills that will be used well beyond your collegiate years, but some Greek language might not translate clearly into the professional world. Explain sisterhood events as “team building,” swap “sisters” with “members,” and “chapter” for “organization.” Swaps like these should make your background easier to understand.
- Highlight your achievements: Create a dedicated entry for your Kappa Delta leadership experience in the “Experience” section of your profile. Clearly outline your role, responsibilities and achievements. If you are having a hard time thinking of ways to highlight your role, here are a few examples:
- President – You led __ number of members and developed goals to strengthen organization operations, while managing a council and board of X number of members that oversees _____ and facilitates ______.
- Vice President – Share how you maintained and updated organizational calendars, optimizing event planning and execution for enhanced efficiency and attendance for an organization of ___ number members.
- VP-Finance – You managed the finances for your entire organization. Talk about how you formed the budget, managed accounts receivable, allocated money for each position and tracked finances throughout the year.
- VP-Learning & Development – You coordinated and facilitated the new-member education program for __ number of new members, while overseeing the planning of educational opportunities for all __ number of members. If your chapter saw increased retention during your term, be sure to highlight that accomplishment.
- VP-Events & Programming – You planned and executed events for __ number of members, while managing a budget of __ number of dollars. You also oversaw and coordinated fundraising events that raised __ number of dollars and had an impact on ___ community organizations.
- VP-Recruitment & Marketing – You planned and implemented the recruitment of ___ number of new members, coordinated a year-round marketing plan for the organization, and managed the organization’s relationships and public presence, engaging members, alumnae, campus and community.
- VP-Inclusion – You fostered a sense of inclusion through innovative team building events, implemented accountability processes to support members, while promoting inclusion and belonging throughout your organization, campus and community.
- Panhellenic Delegate – You represented Kappa Delta within the sorority and fraternity community, fostering positive relationships with other campus organizations.
- Get action-oriented: Make sure to use action verbs to describe your contributions, and emphasize how your leadership skills have translated into real results. Here are a few action verbs you can take for your resume:
- Showcase transferable skills: Did you know that employers are prioritizing the exact skills you’ve gained during your Kappa Delta leadership experience. People management, project management, communication, leadership and critical thinking all made the top 10 last year! It’s all in how you position your skills. Here are a few examples:
- Management – Lead cross-functional committees, fostering collaboration for successful execution of key projects.
- Marketing – Oversee a multi-channel social media approach with a following of over 5,000 and run campaigns that increased your organization’s following by 15%.
- Leadership – Direct, design and facilitate weekly meetings with over 150 women.
- Project Management – Oversee and coordinate multiple fundraising events that raised over $15,000 for Prevent Child Abuse America.
- Include media and endorsements: LinkedIn allows you to upload media files, providing a visual representation of your Kappa Delta leadership journey. Share photos, event flyers or any other relevant materials that showcase your involvement. Also, get endorsements from your advisors, community partners or fellow leaders to reinforce your leadership capabilities.
- Show continued involvement: If you continue to stay involved with Kappa Delta as an alumna, mention ongoing participation or support in your profile. Whether you contribute to mentorship programs or assist with recruitment efforts, this showcases lasting commitment to our mission-driven organization and its values.
Effectively showcasing your Kappa Delta leadership journey on LinkedIn isn’t just a tactic – it’s a smart way to leverage your sorority involvement in the professional world. Craft a catchy headline, amp up your summary and highlight your wins. Confidently, let your profile tell the story of skills and experiences gained in your leadership role. As you navigate your professional journey, remember that your Kappa Delta story is not just a chapter in your past but a powerful narrative that contributes to your ongoing success.
P.S. Have you joined the Kappa Delta Network group on LinkedIn?
Joining the Kappa Delta Network group on LinkedIn can expand your professional network. 42% of members say that another member of their fraternity or sorority helped them find an internship or job. Participate in discussions, share relevant content and connect with sisters – you never know who might help you land your dream gig.