YOGYAKARTA – Students of the Arabic Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) received guidance on personal branding, LinkedIn profile development, and professional CV writing as part of the Entrepreneurship and Self-Development course on September 7, 2026. The session was delivered by Nifa Andriani, an alumna of the Arabic Literature Study Program, who served as one of the speakers in the class.
During the session, Nifa explained that building a professional profile begins with recognizing one’s experiences and skills. LinkedIn can be used by students to showcase their achievements, skills, organizational involvement, and work experience while also building connections with people who share similar professional interests or career goals. The platform also allows users to continuously update their professional profiles as they gain new experiences.
The discussion went beyond general explanations, as Nifa also reviewed several students’ LinkedIn profiles directly. The review covered various sections, including profile photos, headlines, About, and Experience. Several participants’ profiles were discussed to assess whether the information presented reflected their current interests and career goals. Nifa also highlighted the importance of using relevant keywords to make profiles more visible to recruiters.
In addition to LinkedIn, students learned how to create an effective CV. During the discussion, participants compared several CV formats, including more colorful designs and simpler, well-structured layouts. Nifa explained that a clean and easy-to-read CV can help recruiters identify important information more efficiently, particularly when applications are screened through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) during the recruitment process.
The session also covered how students can present their experiences as part of their professional profiles. Organizational activities, volunteer work, certifications, projects, and freelance experience can be included when they are relevant to the skills and qualifications a student wants to highlight. Students also gained an overview of the recruitment process, including employment background checks and factors that companies may consider when evaluating candidates.
The discussion was part of the Arabic Literature Study Program’s efforts to prepare students for the professional world. By learning how to identify their strengths, present their experiences effectively, and build a professional profile, students are encouraged to start planning their career paths while still at university and make better use of the experiences they gain throughout their studies.
Author : Indana Zulfa Maulida
