Keeping Your LinkedIn and Handshake Profiles Current
Author: Emma Koelle, Recruiting at Frank, Rimerman
Date Published: September 2026
In my role as a university recruiter, I am most inspired by students who are genuinely curious about what comes next and open to discovering new possibilities. I am always looking for students who are learning, growing, and beginning to think intentionally about how they want to show up professionally.
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to make that connection is by keeping your LinkedIn and Handshake profiles current. An updated profile helps you show up in recruiter searches, tells your story clearly, and makes it simple for a recruiter to reach out when the right opportunity comes along.
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is, “I will update my profile when I start applying.”
While applications matter, they are not the only way recruiters find students. In many cases, recruiters look for candidates through profile searches in addition to reviewing applications. When your information is current, clear, and searchable, you give yourself a much better chance of being discovered. Taking the time to update your profile can often have a greater impact than submitting dozens of applications that never turn into real conversation.
Updating LinkedIn and Handshake is one of the simplest ways to advocate for yourself. It is a quiet way of saying, “I am here, I am learning, and I am open to what’s next.” When your profiles are clear, current, and reflective of who you are becoming, you make it simple for recruiters to see your potential and start a conversation. Sometimes, being visible and approachable matters just as much as being qualified.
Handshake plays a big role in campus recruiting because it shows how you fit within your university community. Details like your graduation date, major, interests, and location preferences help recruiters understand where you are in your journey. A complete profile shows that you are paying attention and open to opportunities.
LinkedIn allows for more depth, which is where your personality and purpose can really stand out. A strong profile does not require multiple internships or a perfect career path. What matters is clarity. Share class projects you are proud of. Talk about leadership roles, campus jobs, research, or volunteer work. Focus on what you learned, the skills you built, and what excites you next. Recruiters search by skills and keywords, so the right language helps us find you. There is no pressure to post all the time. Small updates each semester go a long way in keeping your profile visible and up to date.
Building a clear and visible professional presence gives students another way to share their experience, interests, and the direction they hope to take their careers.
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About the Author:
Emma Koelle, Recruiting at Frank, Rimerman
Careers at Frank, Rimerman
Emma Koelle is a University Recruiter at Frank, Rimerman + Co. She leads recruiting efforts at universities across Los Angeles and Orange County, connecting students with internship and full-time opportunities throughout the firm. Prior to joining Frank, Rimerman + Co., Emma worked in university recruiting for a CPA firm on the East Coast, where she is originally from.