"LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers"

Your LinkedIn profile is often the first thing employers see – sometimes before your resume.

A weak profile can cost you opportunities. A strong one opens doors. Here’s how to get it right.

Your Photo Matters More Than You Think

Profiles with photos get 21x more views and 9x more connection requests.

Your photo should be:

• Professional (not a cropped party photo)
• Just you (no partners, kids, or pets)
• Well-lit and clear
• Dressed as you would for work
• Smiling and approachable

Invest in a proper headshot. It’s worth it.

Write a Headline That Works

Your headline appears everywhere – in searches, comments, messages. The default is your job title, but you can do better.

Bad: “Unemployed” or “Seeking opportunities”

Good: “Marketing Manager | Digital Strategy | Brand Development”

Include keywords recruiters search for in your industry.

Make Your Summary Count

The About section is your personal pitch. Many people leave it blank – big mistake.

Structure:

1. What you do and what you’re good at (2-3 sentences)
2. Key achievements or specialties
3. What you’re looking for (if job seeking)
4. Call to action (connect, email, etc.)

Write in first person. Make it human, not robotic.

Experience Section Done Right

Don’t just copy your resume. LinkedIn lets you:

• Add more detail (no page limit)
• Include media (presentations, articles, videos)
• Get endorsements and recommendations

For each role, include:

• Brief description of the company/scope
• Your key responsibilities
• 2-3 achievements with numbers

Skills and Endorsements

List skills that are actually relevant to your target roles. Get endorsed by people who can genuinely vouch for those skills.

The top 3 skills shown on your profile are the ones with most endorsements, so prioritise accordingly.

Recommendations Are Gold

Recommendations from previous managers, colleagues, or clients add credibility. Ask for them directly – most people are happy to help.

When asking, make it easy: “Would you be able to write a brief recommendation about my work on [specific project/skill]?”

Activity Matters

LinkedIn favours active profiles. This doesn’t mean posting constantly, but:

• Share or comment on industry content occasionally
• Congratulate connections on new roles
• Join and participate in relevant groups

Profiles with recent activity rank higher in searches.

Open to Work – Yes or No?

The “Open to Work” feature lets you signal you’re job hunting. You can show it to recruiters only (hidden from your current employer) or publicly.

Opinion: If you’re actively searching and don’t mind your current employer knowing, the green banner gets attention. If you need to be discreet, use recruiter-only visibility.

Common Mistakes

• Incomplete profiles (missing sections)
• Inconsistencies with resume dates
• No activity in years
• Spelling errors
• Generic headline
• Bad photo (or no photo)

If you want a professional review of your LinkedIn profile with specific recommendations, book a session. We’ll optimise it for both recruiters and hiring managers.