I'm setting up my LinkedIn profile and wondering if I should add the jobs I had during high school. They were mostly customer service roles. Do these experiences help in making my profile stand out?
Definitely, adding your high school jobs to your LinkedIn profile can be beneficial for several reasons.
Firstly, it shows that you are capable of balancing different responsibilities concurrently. This ability to manage your time between your studies, jobs, and other personal commitments is a trait that many employers and college admissions officers value.
Secondly, any job, regardless of its field or level, helps you acquire transferable skills. For instance, customer service roles typically develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and dealing with diverse customers. These skills are appreciated in almost all fields and professions.
Lastly, it helps in painting a fuller picture of your experiences, the environments you are familiar with, and your continuous growth. Every role you've held can offer insight into who you are and the qualities you could bring, even in academia or other job markets.
However, remember to frame these experiences in a way that highlights the skills and knowledge you gained and how they make you a well-rounded individual. If you can show how these roles developed your character or demonstrated your strengths, they can make your profile stand stronger.
Do remember, though, that as you progress in your career or education, you may want to start refining your profile to more closely reflect your long-term goals and interests. Some experiences might become less relevant as you add more related or recent experiences.
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