These days, your LinkedIn profile is key, almost as important as your old resume. If you’re looking for a job, making connections, or just want to build yourself up online, a good LinkedIn profile is what you need to get noticed by recruiters and other people in your field. But just filling out the job history part isn’t enough to cut it.
To get your profile working for you all the time, you gotta make it strong and easy to find. Here’s how to make a LinkedIn profile that does something.
1. Get a Good Profile Photo
Your picture is the first thing people look at. A clear picture of your head makes you look trustworthy.
Photo tips:
- Dress like you would at work.
- Find a simple background.
- Give a small smile—try to look confident.
- No group photos or selfies.
Quick Tip: Profiles with photos get way more views; up to 21 times as many.
2. Write a Great Headline
Don’t just put your current job title. Your headline should say what you do. Pick keywords related to your job so recruiters see you.
Instead of: “Marketing Specialist at XYZ Company”
Try: Marketing Expert | Social Media | Helping Businesses Grow
You get 220 characters—make the most of them.
3. Make a Good Summary (About Section)
Think of this as your quick intro. The summary should cover:
- Who are you
- What you do
- What makes you different
- What you want (if you’re looking for a job)
Sounds friendly. Use short paragraphs or bullet points to make it easy to scan.
Example: I’m a marketing person with 5+ years of experience. I’ve helped start-up businesses grow using content, SEO, and social media. I’m into telling stories and using data for campaigns. I like to take hard ideas and turn them into easy plans.
End with something like: “Let’s connect!” or “Contact me if you want to work together.”
4. List Your Work Experience (And Make It Count)
Your job history is more than just titles and dates. Say what you did in each job:
- What did you get done
- How you helped
- The results you got
Use bullet points, action words, and numbers when you can.
Example:
- Got 40% more website traffic in 6 months using SEO
- Led a team of 4 on a rebrand
- Cut customer loss by 25% by improving emails
5. Add Skills That Fit Your Goals
LinkedIn lets you list up to 50 skills. Pick the ones that show what you’re good at and what you aim for. This helps people find you when they’re searching for candidates.
Tip: When people say you’re good at something, it helps. Ask for skills to be endorsed (and do the same for others).
6. Ask for Recommendations
A few good recommendations can help. These are notes from people you’ve worked with who can guarantee your work.
To get one:
- Ask someone you know well.
- Say what you want them to talk about (a project you worked on, etc.).
- Offer to write a draft to help them.
- 7. List Education and Certifications
Include your school background, even if it’s not related to your current job. Add any certifications or training you’ve done. Sites like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning let you show completed courses on your profile.
8. Turn On “Open to Work” (If Looking for a Job)
If you’re looking for a job, LinkedIn has a feature called Open to Work that lets recruiters know.
To turn it on:
- Click “Me” > “View Profile”
- Click “Open to” > “Finding a new job”
- Pick job titles, locations, and when you can start
- This helps you get noticed without your current boss knowing (if you want it that way).
9. Clean Up Your LinkedIn URL
Your LinkedIn profile has a messy URL by default. Fix it to look better.
How:
- Go to your profile
- Click “Edit public profile & URL”
- Change the end (like linkedin.com/in/JohnSmithMarketing)
10. Stay Active
A good profile is great, but being active helps even more. Post updates, comment on articles, share stuff, and connect with people.
What to post:
- Job tips
- Things you’ve learned at work
- Thoughts on news
- Good stuff that happened (new job, course done, etc.)
- Being consistent makes you look good and keeps you in people’s minds.
NOTE: Your LinkedIn profile is your online self. If done right, it can help you meet people, find jobs, and get better opportunities.
If you follow these steps, you’ll get noticed and make a good impression. Whether you’re starting or trying to get ahead, putting time into your LinkedIn profile is a good move.
