Your resume is polished. Your LinkedIn is updated. You're ready to make connections at AFA Leaders Conference. Right?

Not so fast!

Before you shake hands with your next potential employer, your resume and LinkedIn may have already made a first impression. And with hundreds of industry professionals attending AFA Leaders Conference, you want that impression to be a good one.

Jessie Jarvis, founder of Of The West, shares five practical ways to make your professional materials stand out before heading to Kansas City.

1. Show Your Impact, Not Just Your Responsibilities

Employers don't just want to know what you did. They want to know what changed because you did it.

• Instead of: "Managed social media accounts."

• Try: "Developed social media content that increased engagement by 25%."

Think about the results you've created through internships, student organizations, jobs or leadership experiences. Even small wins can tell a big story!

2. Make Your Resume Work for You (and the Hiring Software)

Some employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before a hiring manager ever sees them. Jessie recommends keeping things simple.

• Use clear headings and straightforward formatting.

• Skip fancy graphics, tables and complicated layouts.

• Incorporate relevant keywords from job descriptions, but only when they genuinely reflect your experience.

Bonus tip: As a college student, aim to keep your resume to one page.

3. Give Your LinkedIn Headline Some Personality

If your LinkedIn headline simply says "Student at XYZ University," you're missing an opportunity to tell employers what you're all about.

Instead, highlight your interests, skills and career direction.

Example: "Agricultural Communications Student | Passionate About Storytelling and Connecting People in Agriculture"

Your headline should give someone a reason to learn more about you!

4. Put a Face (and a Story) to Your Name

Your LinkedIn profile should feel like YOU.

• Choose a clear, professional photo. No group shots, heavily filtered selfies or AI-generated headshots.

• Add a cover image that reflects your professional interests.

• Write a short About section highlighting who you are, what you're good at and where you hope to go next.

You don't need years of professional experience to have a compelling story. You just need to tell it well.

5. Keep Your Professional Story Consistent

Here's the big one: Your resume, LinkedIn and in-person conversations should all tell the same story.

If your resume highlights your passion for agricultural marketing, your LinkedIn should reinforce that interest. If you list a leadership experience, be ready to explain the impact you made.

And don't let your LinkedIn collect dust! Keep your experiences current and engage with your network. You don't have to become an influencer, but you should show that you're actively investing in your future.

Ready to Make Your Next Connection Count?

AFA Leaders Conference is packed with opportunities to meet industry professionals, explore career paths and build relationships that could shape your future.

The last thing you want is to make a great connection and realize your resume hasn't been updated since freshman year.

Your next opportunity might start with a conversation at Leaders Conference. Make sure your professional story is ready to back it up!