Key Elements of a Strong Linkedin Profile

I constantly get recruiter reachouts from big tech companies and top AI startups- even when I’m not actively job hunting or listed as “Open to Work.” That’s because over the years, I’ve consciously put in the effort to build a clear and consistent presence on LinkedIn- one that reflects what I do, what I care about, and the kind of work I want to be known for. And the best part? It’s something anyone can do- with the right strategy and a bit of consistency. If you’re tired of applying to dozens of jobs with no reply, here are 5 powerful LinkedIn upgrades that will make recruiters come to you: 1. Quietly activate “Open to Work” Even if you’re not searching, turning this on boosts your visibility in recruiter filters. → Turn it on under your profile → “Open to” → “Finding a new job” → Choose “Recruiters only” visibility → Specify target titles and locations clearly (e.g., “Machine Learning Engineer – Computer Vision, Remote”) Why it works: Recruiters rely on this filter to find passive yet qualified candidates. 2. Treat your headline like SEO + your elevator pitch Your headline is key real estate- use it to clearly communicate role, expertise, and value. Weak example: “Software Developer at XYZ Company” → Generic and not searchable. Strong example: “ML Engineer | Computer Vision for Autonomous Systems | PyTorch, TensorRT Specialist” → Role: ML Engineer → Niche: computer vision in autonomous systems → Tools: PyTorch, TensorRT This structure reflects best practices from experts who recommend combining role, specialization, technical skills, and context to stand out. 3. Upgrade your visuals to build trust → Use a crisp headshot: natural light, simple background, friendly expression → Add a banner that reinforces your brand: you working, speaking, or a tagline with tools/logos Why it works: Clean visuals increase profile views and instantly project credibility. 4. Rewrite your “About” section as a human story Skip the bullet list, tell a narrative in three parts: → Intro: “I’m an ML engineer specializing in computer vision models for autonomous systems.” → Expertise: “I build end‑to‑end pipelines using PyTorch and TensorRT, optimizing real‑time inference for edge deployment.” → Motivation: “I’m passionate about enabling safer autonomy through efficient vision AI, let’s connect if you’re building in that space.” Why it works: Authentic storytelling creates memorability and emotional resonance . 5. Be the advocate for your work Make your profile act like a portfolio, not just a resume. → Under each role, add 2–4 bullet points with measurable outcomes and tools (e.g., “Reduced inference latency by 35% using INT8 quantization in TensorRT”) → In the Featured section, highlight demos, whitepapers, GitHub repos, or tech talks Give yourself five intentional profile upgrades this week. Then sit back and watch recruiters start reaching you, even in today’s competitive market.

If your entire job search strategy is filling out applications, uploading your resume, and then waiting… you’re missing the bigger picture. I can only speak for the software job market, which is an absolute mess for job seekers. Qualified candidates are everywhere, and you must take extra steps to stand out. Marketing yourself to a hiring manager is not a sin. Yes, some companies should change their hiring practices. Yes, I've made a ton of mistakes when hiring people. Just this last week, I accidentally ghosted someone when I had a last-minute family event jump on the calendar. AND YES, this is off the back of my post last week, where I shared why I no longer read resumes and gave tips on how to stand out in the interview process. Most of you loved it (thank you!), but a few strongly disagreed... STRONGLY disagreed. Who knew people would be so passionate about resumes? I get it. People have different perspectives. However, a resume and job application alone aren’t enough to stand out from the crowd. I promised a few in the comments that I would follow up with tips on making your LinkedIn profile stand out. So let's do it. Start with the Headline: Avoid default titles like “Marketing Manager at XYZ.” Instead, showcase your value: “Driving Revenue Growth through Data-Driven Marketing” or “Empowering Teams to Create Scalable Strategies.” Spend Time on the About Section: This is your elevator pitch. Highlight your skills, achievements, and passions in 3-5 paragraphs. Make it you, not just a resume dump. Add Key Achievements to Your Experience Section: This is one of the most effective and least used. Use bullet points that emphasize results and impact. Quantify whenever possible (e.g., “Increased MQLs by 50% through revamped campaigns”). Keep it concise, but USE NUMBERS. Don't Ignore the Featured Section: Add links to your portfolio, blogs, presentations, or standout projects. This is the place to shine a spotlight if you’ve published articles or spoken at events. Keep Your Profile Active & Current: Update your profile with every new role, project, or milestone. Stale profiles give the impression of inattention. Set a calendar block or invite every other month to update your profile. Start there. Your LinkedIn profile is more than a digital resume because who wants to read a resume? It’s your chance to tell your story, highlight your skills, and make someone want to talk to you. Go forth and conquer.

I’ve reviewed thousands of LinkedIn profiles as a recruiter. The best ones all had the same things. Here’s my top 5 LinkedIn profile must haves: 1️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮 ↳Job title + years of experience + key words Start with a job title. If the reader is confused they will be gone. 2️⃣ 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ↳Employers are looking for it as a baseline requirement. Make it easy to find and they will keep reading. 3️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 & 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ↳When recruiters search for candidates using their software (LinkedIn Recruiter) they find candidates based on skills and keywords in addition to years of experience & company. 4️⃣ 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ↳What were you able to accomplish and how was that measured? For example: 15% growth in revenue, 95% acceptance rate. Employers decide to hire because they have a problem, show them that you can solve it. 5️⃣ 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 ↳The more active you are on LinkedIn helps you stay visible and relevant. You can be active with posts or comments and it doesn’t require more than engaging a few times each week. 💡 With these tips you’ll have recruiters easily finding you and hiring managers ready to chat! Which tips will you implement on your profile? ------ 👋 Hi I’m Lis and I help job seekers get hired. Learn more at www.lisharriscoaching.com Like getting job search tips? Give this post a 👍 ♻ to help job seekers find a new role

Advice for women in their 20s “Instagram is cute, but I need you to take LinkedIn seriously.” - Brandon Smithwrick 🧠 Invest in your professional presence. Optimize your LinkedIn profile. 1. Use a Professional Photo Importance: Profiles with photos get up to 21x more views. Action: Choose a recent, professional, and approachable photo. Pro Tip: Set your profile visibility to ‘Public’ to increase reach. 2. Create a Short Profile Post or Video Introducing Yourself Purpose: Introduce yourself in a post or 30-second video. Action: Be conversational, share your story, and highlight your expertise. 3. Craft a Headline That Shows Who You Are Opportunity: Showcase who you are, not just your job title. Action: Highlight your expertise, personality, and what you bring to the table. Pro Tip: Add name pronunciation and pronouns. 4. Turn on Creator Mode to Highlight Your Content Benefit: Access features like analytics, newsletters, and LinkedIn Live. Action: Turn on Creator Mode. 5. Feature Your Best Work in the Featured Section Use: Highlight important work, links, videos, and articles. Action: Select 2-3 pieces of content you are most proud of and showcase them in the Featured section. 6. Write a Compelling About Section Function: Your personal elevator pitch. Action: Summarize your mission, motivation, and skills in a few paragraphs or bullet points. Include key achievements and what drives you. 7. Detail Your Experience with Clear, Concise Achievements Content: Focus on your current role, projects, accomplishments, and impact. Action: Write about specific projects, results, and the value you brought to your roles. Use bullet points for clarity. Pro Tip: Pin work (e.g., videos, presentations) to each experience to showcase your work. 8. Post Valuable, Engaging Content Regularly Content: Share insights, tips, and stories that add value to your audience. Action: Post weekly, using a natural and conversational tone. Use 3-5 relevant hashtags. Pro Tip: Share leadership or career advice with personal stories to make it unique. 9. Engage with Your Network Authentically Engagement: Like, comment, and share posts from your connections. Action: Ask questions, join discussions, and provide thoughtful feedback to others' posts. 10. Build Meaningful Connections Networking: Connect with people in your industry, mentors, and peers. Action: Personalize connection requests and follow up with a message to start a conversation. Your network wants to support you. They want to refer you for jobs and recommend your business. Make it easy for them by having a strong LinkedIn presence. Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in shaping your career. What advice do you have for women in their 20s? Please share in the comments ⬇️ If you found this helpful, follow Caitlyn Kumi and Miss EmpowHer for more personal and professional development content.

95% of the Fortune 500 use #LinkedIn to source talent (and tons of other recruiters) They build queries based on things like: 1 - Job titles 2 - Locations 3 - Skills 4 - Companies 5 - Schools 6 - Industries 7 - Key words and more (like veteran status) Which means having a complete profile can make a HUGE difference when it comes to being found by a recruiter My advice? 1 - Complete your entire profile Every one of the categories above needs to be filled out completely and as relevant to your desired post-military career 2 - Include translations of your military job title If you have spoken with people in your desired field... (but keep the military title in there because it is horrible when a veteran has no idea what you actually did in the military and, therefore, can't make translations or recommendations for other roles) It shouldn't be "C-suite" anything 3 - Location should be where you want to be So you show up in recruiter searches there (if you have multiple locations, add those in the Open to Work banner) 4 - Skills on your profile should be relevant to the job(s) you want Add ones that occur often on related job descriptions The more endorsements you have on skills in the search, the higher you will rank in the results 5 - Make the experience section like your Master Resume Include your accomplishments in the description section of each job in the experience section This helps you appear in more search results for key words 6 - Make sure the logo shows up when you add schools or companies Otherwise it doesn't work for the filters 7 - It might not be a filter, but don't overlook the importance of a good profile picture and background image Because they are the first things we see on a profile #quinnsights HireMilitary #militarytransition I've added the LinkedIn article below for more info Questions? Thoughts? Anything you would add?

7 LinkedIn Frameworks That Will 3x Your Profile Views (And Take Less Than 30 Mins Implement): 1. The “Value Proposition” Headline Stop writing "Marketing Manager at XYZ Company." Instead, end your headline with this formula: I help [target audience] achieve [specific result]. Example: "I help SaaS startups increase trial conversions by 40% through data-driven onboarding." This tells employers exactly what value you bring. 2. The “Social Proof” Summary Section Most people write their About section like a resume summary. But recruiters spend 6 seconds scanning profiles. Lead with your biggest wins: "Helped Microsoft reduce customer churn by 25% in 6 months." Then explain how you achieved them in 2-3 bullet points. 3. The “5%” Keyword Strategy LinkedIn's algorithm loves keywords, but keyword stuffing hurts more than it helps. In your About and Experience sections, aim for 5% of your content to be target keywords. That ensures they’re present while keeping it natural. Tools like ResyMatch can show you which keywords top performers in your field use. 4. The “Story Arc” Experience Section Don't just list responsibilities like, "managed social media accounts." Tell a mini-story: Challenge → Action → Result. "Inherited a declining social presence (12% engagement drop) → Implemented video-first strategy → Grew engagement 340% in 4 months." Numbers make your impact undeniable. 5. The Recommendations “Triple Play” Recommendations are like references that employers can see before reaching out. But generic recommendations get ignored. Ask for specific stories: "Could you share how our email campaign project went?" Aim to get 3 new recommendations on your profile at the start of your job search. 6. Front Load Your “Featured Section” Your Featured section is prime real estate that 90% of people skip. Pin 3 items that showcase different strengths. For example: a case study PDF, a viral post, and an award you won. This gives visitors multiple ways to see your expertise in action. And it places those things in a prominent spot on your profile. 7. The “Compliment” Connection Request Most people send blank connection requests or immediately ask for something. Instead, send a request with a personalized compliment: “I loved the perspective you shared in your comment on Jennifer Thomas’s post. We need more people speaking up about that, thank you!” Leading with genuine value and appreciation will increase acceptance rates. —— ➕ Follow Austin Belcak for more 🔵 Ready to land your dream job? Click here to learn more about how we help people land amazing jobs in ~3.5 months with a $44k raise: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

Your LinkedIn profile is a 24/7 inbound job magnet if you set it up right! It's an opportunity to have the hottest companies and hiring managers chasing you rather than you running after them. Impossible? Hell no. It’s how I got my senior product position at Affirm and the same story for VP of product at Apollo. Here’s the complete guide to converting your LinkedIn profile into a job-attracting asset: — 𝟭. 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 Don't use generic headline templates mentioning your job title and company name. ↳ Highlight your expertise or niche. ↳ Mention companies for credibility. ↳ Add a secondary offer; are you a coach, speaker, or consultant? ↳ Example: "Senior Product Manager @ TechCo | Driving B2B SaaS Growth 🚀 | Ex-Google, Ex-Amazon | Product Leadership Coach" — 𝟮. 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗠𝗘 Think of your "About" section as your personal story. ↳ Experience summary showcasing your value. ↳ Use storytelling to highlight your key achievements (don’t forget to mention numbers/results) with a personal touch. ↳ Wrap up by stating what kind of roles or challenges you’re interested in next. — 𝟯. 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗘 How people perceive you depends a lot on how you visually present yourself. Here’s how to do it right: ↳ High-quality and professional headshot. Use AI if you don’t have a good photo. ↳ Don’t use cover photos for vague quotes; use it to highlight your achievements, awards, reviews, your products, etc. — 𝟰. 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 Your experience section is where the real depth comes in. ↳ Go beyond job duties and focus on the specific results and outcomes you achieved. ↳ Use the Situation, Action, Result (SAR) framework to highlight what you did and how it made an impact. (e.g., “Increased customer retention by 25% in 6 months”). ↳ Use industry-specific keywords so recruiters can easily find you in searches. — 𝟱. 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 ↳ Simplify your LinkedIn URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/YourName) with a custom URL. ↳ Make sure to add a link to your portfolio, website, or a side project directly in your profile. ↳ Regularly review your contact info and make it easy for recruiters to reach out to you. — 𝟲. 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 Think of recommendations as built-in references that add credibility to your profile. ↳ Reach out to people who can specifically highlight your key skills and achievements. ↳ Aim for a variety of recommendations—managers, colleagues, and clients. ↳ Pin your top 2-3 recommendations. — 𝟳. 𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 The "Skills" section helps you appear in searches and validates your expertise: ↳ Choose skills that define your professional strengths, and pin your top 3. ↳ Take LinkedIn skill assessments to add credibility with “verified” badges. — If you want to dive deeper into how to do it all with real-time examples and breakdowns, check out the guide below in comments.

As an executive recruiter, I have reviewed countless LinkedIn profiles, and after all this time... There were seven key elements that always stood out in the best ones 📇 These are the things that can make the difference between being noticed and being overlooked in a crowded job market: 1. A high-quality professional photo 📷 This is your first impression—make it count. A professional-looking photo (even if it’s just a well-lit, friendly shot) helps recruiters feel like they’re getting to know the real you before they even read a word of your profile. 2. An engaging, value-driven headline 📇 Your headline shouldn’t just be your job title. Use it as an opportunity to showcase your expertise. Think of it as your 120-character elevator pitch—make it about what you can offer and what makes you stand out. 3. A thoughtful summary 📑 Your summary should tell your career story in a way that draws recruiters in. Share your background, your passions, and what you bring to the table. It’s your chance to give a glimpse into your personality and career goals, so make it concise but impactful. 4. Up-to-date and relevant skills ✅ Employers and recruiters are searching for candidates with specific skills. Ensure your skills section is current, relevant to the positions you're targeting, and reflects the keywords hiring managers are looking for. 5. A well-built network 📲 Building a strong, relevant network is crucial. It not only helps you stay connected to industry professionals but also demonstrates your credibility. A broad network signals to recruiters that you are well-connected in your industry. 6. Recommendations and endorsements 🗣️ Having others vouch for your work and character adds powerful social proof. Seek recommendations from colleagues, managers, or clients, and don’t hesitate to endorse others too. 7. Concrete achievements and results 🎖️ In your experience section, focus on the impact you’ve made. Don’t just list job duties—show measurable results, key achievements, and how you’ve contributed to the success of your team or company. If your profile is missing any of these elements, it’s time to make some updates 👀 A complete, engaging LinkedIn profile doesn’t just get noticed—it helps you stand out from the crowd and attract the right opportunities. Want more tips on how to optimize your LinkedIn profile for success? Let’s connect and make sure your profile is putting your best foot forward. For more insights, check out my newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy

I analyzed 100 top-performing LinkedIn profiles. Here's what 90% of them are missing: 1. Keyword-rich headline • Don't just list your job title • Include industry + key skills + results • Example: "Digital Marketing Strategist | 10x ROI for E-commerce Brands | SEO, PPC, CRO Expert" 2. Story-driven "About" section • Start with a hook (problem you solve) • Share your unique journey and how you help clients • End with clear CTA 3. Custom URL • linkedin.com/in/yourname • Boosts searchability in LinkedIn and Google • Looks more professional 4. Featured section showcase • Pin your best content • Include case studies, articles, videos, or opt-ins • Refresh quarterly 5. Recommendations strategy • Give to receive (aim to have 10) • Ask satisfied clients/colleagues • Prompt them with specific achievements and keywords 6. Skills endorsements hack • Remove irrelevant skills - use keywords • Prioritize top 3 for your niche • Endorse others strategically 7. Projects section optimization • Post case studies • Add clients/colleagues as collaborators • Drive people to read from your About Summary 8. Banner image branding • Include your website or offer (webinar, checklist, calendar) • Use brand colors • Add a clear CTA Want my full 2025 LinkedIn Profile Optimization Checklist? Comment "OPTIMIZE" below and I'll send it your way.

How do you get recruiters to contact you? 1) Optimize your LinkedIn profile and 2) Make it easy for them to contact you ...  Recruiters use LinkedIn like we use Google. That is, they search using keywords. Here are the top keywords they search for... 1) Job title 2) Location 3) Skills. So you want your LinkedIn profile to reflect these keywords. 1) List your ideal job title in your Headline. (I wrote an article about how to write your LI Headline, link in comments.) 2) List the location(s) where you're willing to work in your "Open to Work" profile setting. You can list up to five locations. 3) Incorporate the top skills for your ideal job all over your profile. These are your keywords and you want them in your Headline, About section, and especially the Skills section. I wrote an article about how to maximize your Skills, link in comments. 4) Make sure every section of your profile is complete and publicly visible, too. Go to your Settings, click on "Visibility," then "Edit your public profile." Now you see what recruiters see - is your photo visible? Are all the sections turned on and visible? 5) Make it EASY for them to contact you. Recruiters get a limited number of InMail messages each month, so they have to be selective about whom they contact. Make it easier by including your email address in the About section of your LinkedIn profile. BUT, don't list your personal email - create an email specifically for your job search and post that on your profile. I like [your name][ideal job title]@gmail.com. For example, EmilyCareerCoach@gmail.com, or JaneSmithHR@gmail.com. 6) Be active on LinkedIn. LI prioritizes active profiles. That means you have recently updated your profile, you're logging on to the site regularly, you are leaving comments (aim for 10 comments/day), and you are writing posts and/or articles. If a recruiter does contact you, I have a few more tips ... 1) Check the LinkedIn profile of the recruiter, the reputation of the recruiting firm, and the company they are recruiting for - does it look legit? Sometimes scammers will pose as recruiters from real agencies too - please note, a real recruiter would never ask you for personal information like your birthday, SSN, or bank account. 2) Reply quickly. Recruiters are juggling dozens of roles and contacting hundreds of people at once.  The recruiter is on a timeline so they’re lining up job candidates and screening them, and will move on if you don’t reply. 3) Keep your expectations low - Some recruiters contact hundreds of people in a day. They simply don’t have time to respond to every message, and you often won’t hear back from them. It isn’t personal … they’re just juggling too many things at once. I'm rooting for you. 👊 ♻ Please repost if you think this advice will help others. ***** Hi, have we met? I'm Emily and I'm on a mission to get the #greenbannergang back to work, one actionable step at a time. #jobsearch #jobhunt #jobseekers #LinkedIn