Business English - Creating a Professional Online Profile (Beginner Level)

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! (Warm-up)

Think about this: Why is it good to have an online page (like LinkedIn) to show your work skills? What important things should you put on this page?

Activity 2: New Words (Vocabulary)

Here are some new English words. These words will help us talk about making a good online page for work.

Online Profile: Your page on websites like LinkedIn where you share your work information and skills.

Example: A good online profile helps people find you for jobs.

Headline: A short sentence under your name on your online profile that says who you are or what job you want.

Example: Write a clear headline like 'Student Looking for Marketing Job'.

About Me Section (Summary): A part of your online profile where you write about your skills, your school or work, and what you want to do.

Example: In your About Me Section, you can write more details about yourself for employers to read.

Connecting (Networking): Adding people to your online profile to make new professional contacts and find job chances.

Example: Connecting with people online can help you learn about new jobs and companies.

Recommendations: Nice things that people (like your old bosses or teachers) write about you and your work on your online profile.

Example: Good recommendations on your profile show that you are a good worker and team member.

Online Information (Digital Footprint): All the things about you on the internet, like your profile page and what you share online.

Example: It's important to keep your online information professional and positive for jobs.

Activity 3 (Reading)

Let's read about Maria. She is new to job searching and wants to make a good online page.

Maria is looking for her first job. She knows it's important to have a good online profile. First, she writes a simple headline for her page. It says: "Hardworking Student Seeking First Job in Customer Service." This tells people what she is looking for.

Next, in her About Me Section, Maria writes about her best school subjects and says she is eager to learn new things. She also mentions she is a friendly person. Maria then starts connecting with people from her college and with companies she is interested in. This helps her see new job openings.

She asks one of her teachers if they can write a nice comment, a recommendation, on her profile. Her teacher says yes and writes that Maria is a good student. Maria is also careful to make sure all her online information, like her photos and posts, looks good and professional.

Think about the story:

What was the first thing Maria wrote for her online profile page?
What kind of information did Maria write in her About Me Section?
Who did Maria ask for a recommendation, and why is getting a recommendation helpful?

Activity 4: Role Play

Read this dialogue with a partner. One person is Tom (a beginner job seeker), and the other is Jane (a friend who is helping him).

Tom: Jane, I need to make an online profile for jobs. I'm not sure where to begin.

Jane: Hi Tom! That's a great idea. First, make a good headline. It's a short line that goes right under your name.

Tom: Okay. What should it say? Maybe just 'Tom – Looking for a job'?

Jane: You could say something like 'Tom – Eager to Start a Career in [Your Field of Interest]'. It sounds more positive. Then, you need to write your About Me Section.

Tom: What do I put in the About Me Section? I don't have a lot of job experience yet.

Jane: That's okay! Write about your good skills from school, any projects you did, and show that you are willing to learn. Also, start connecting with people online in your field.

Tom: Should I ask my old teacher if she can write something nice about me on my profile?

Jane: Yes, definitely! That’s called a recommendation. It helps a lot because it shows others that you are a good person to work with.

Tom: So, all this information about me that is online is really important for jobs?

Jane: Yes, Tom. Your online information helps companies learn more about you. So, always try to keep it friendly and professional!

After reading, discuss: What is one easy thing you can do today to make your online information look more professional for job searching?

Activity 5: Let's Practice

Objective: Practice using new vocabulary about making a professional online page.

Scenario: Leo (the learner) is talking to his sister, Mia, about his new online profile he made for job searching.

Mia: Leo, I saw you made a page on that job website! What do you call that special page where you show your skills and work information to employers?

Leo: That's my new . I really hope it helps me find a good job soon.

Mia: It looks like a great start! What did you write in that short sentence right under your name to tell people who you are?

Leo: Oh, you mean my ? I tried to make it clear and simple so people know what I do.

Mia: And what about the part where you wrote a few paragraphs about yourself, your school, and what you are good at?

Leo: Yes, that's my . I tried to put my main skills and what I want to do there.

Mia: That’s good! Are you also adding new people to your contacts list on the site to find job opportunities?

Leo: Yes, I'm trying to do some every day to meet new people who work in the jobs I like.

Mia: That's a smart idea. Did you ask your old manager from your part-time job if she could write something nice about your work there for your page?

Leo: That's a great suggestion! Getting a good would be very helpful to show I'm a reliable worker.

Mia: It all helps to make sure everything about you online looks good to companies when you apply for jobs, right?

Leo: Exactly. I want to make sure all my is very professional and helps me get a job.

Try to fill in the blanks with appropriate words or phrases from this lesson!