How to create a good LinkedIn profile that attracts headhunters

Are you considering a career change? Or maybe you just want to keep your options open? Whatever your job status or motivations, one of the most important tools for professional workers is their LinkedIn profile. So, whether you’re looking for a new job – or even if you’re not – there are some “must-have” and “nice-to-have” LinkedIn features that you should consider implementing (or enhancing) to ensure you have a good LinkedIn Profile. And, if you want to take it one step further, a maximized job search tool.

Whether you are a LinkedIn beginner or already have some LinkedIn experience, this post will walk you through the process of creating a good LinkedIn profile and getting the most out of LinkedIn. For experienced LinkedIn users, you can even skip ahead and discover some extra features that you might be missing out on!

Why LinkedIn?

Why is LinkedIn such an important resource when it comes to job searching? Simple connections that can spread beyond your immediate circle. If you’re looking for a job, you’re going to need recruiters and headhunters. Did you know that there are over 900,000 of them present on the LinkedIn platform? But the trouble is often having your LinkedIn profile noticed by the right people. The answer again comes back to having a good LinkedIn profile that will attract recruiters and help you land your dream job.

How to use this guide

For simplicity, I have separated this post into three sections to help you navigate the article and also to make sure you get started at the right spot. You can decide how committed you are to maximizing your LinkedIn profile.

The first section is my “ABSOLUTE MINIMUM,” “MUST DO LIST.” These are things which you HAVE TO do straight away – even if you are not actively looking for a new job.

The second section is for ACTIVE JOB SEARCHERS. While these tips are not “must do”, they’re necessary if you want to become an active LINKEDIN member and increase your probability of being seen on LinkedIn.

Finally, the last section is for those seeking to get the most out of LinkedIn. By implementing a COMPLETE LINKED PROFILE, you can leverage every possible element of LinkedIn in order to seize every opportunity and fully maximize your LinkedIn profile.

LinkedIn profile must-haves for professionals

1. Use a Professional Headshot as Your Profile Picture
2. Create a Compelling Headline
3. Develop Your LinkedIn Summary into a Story
4. Add Your Work History
5. Include Most if Not All of Your Licenses and Certifications
6. Fill in that Skills Section (And Get Some Endorsements)
7. Hack the Honors & Awards Section
8. Make Your LinkedIn Profile Visible to Everyone
9. Work Keywords Throughout Your Profile
10. Get Some Recommendations
11. Disclose That You’re Open to New Opportunities
12. Complete Skills Assessments
13. Spotlight the Services You Offer
14. Connect with your Current and Past Colleagues, Clients and Partners
15. Add Your LinkedIn Profile in Another Language

LinkedIn Profile enhancements for active job searchers

1. Direct Connect with Recruiters & Hiring Managers
2. Follow Relevant Influencers in Your Industry
3. Leverage a Custom LinkedIn Cover Photo
4. Start Reposting Industry Relevant Content

LinkedIn best practices for a complete LinkedIn profile

1. Fill Out Your Profile Completely
2. Add Your Pronouns
3. Customize Your URL
4. Add Some Interests
5. Customize Your Invites
6. Make your LinkedIn profile buzzwords-free
7. Use The Find Nearby Feature
8. Publish Long-form Content and Add Comments

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LinkedIn profile must-haves for professionals

Use a professional headshot as your profile picture

Your profile picture is your calling card on LinkedIn, and a professional photo gets 21 times more views. It’s an absolute must-have to attract headhunters and recruiters.

If you’re looking for a surefire way to make your LinkedIn profile stand out, consider using a professional headshot as your profile picture.

A good headshot will help you appear more credible and trustworthy to potential employers. And don’t worry – you don’t need to be a professional photographer to take a great headshot!

Technical tip: Your LinkedIn profile picture should be 400 x 400 pixels in size. Larger file sizes are also acceptable (though 8MB is the maximum), but avoid using small, low-resolution images. 

Tips on How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile Picture for a Job Search:

1. Think about what you wear in your photo. Consider what other professionals in your target industry are wearing and dress accordingly. 
2. Make sure everything looks neat and clean—make sure it reflects who you are!
3. Finally, go ahead and upload the image.

Create a compelling headline

94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to vet job candidates. Optimize your LinkedIn profile and show that you’re a recruiter’s perfect candidate.

Your headline should convey who you are and what you’re about in a short, clear way that will get them interested enough to click on more information or call for an interview!

Don’t forget to include profession-specific skills and titles in your profile. This will ensure your profile is presented when someone uses keyword searches. For example, use “Shopify SEO Specialist” instead of SEO Expert. Do a little industry research to find the right terms.

How can you stand out from other HR leaders on LinkedIn? Include areas of expertise, results, and how you achieve goals. These LinkedIn headlines from HR managers are great examples of that.

Why does this work?

Shayn included key phrases that will get the attention of recruiters and employers. “Delivering Projects” and “On Schedule and Within Budget” will grab their attention. They even explain how they get those results. This headline is the perfect sales pitch.

Here are some more examples:

Develop your LinkedIn summary into a story

Your LinkedIn summary is the first thing recruiters read after your headline; it’s critical that you get it right. Moreover, they don’t have the time to read your entire profile from top to bottom – they read your headline, then your summary, and quickly decide whether you’re relevant for the position they’re hiring for.

Think about your summary as you would think about your elevator pitch. If you had 30 seconds to sell yourself, what would you say?

A good way of doing this would include the following:

• Your years of experience in your current field.
• A list of skills relevant to the desired position applied at the company (i.e., hard/soft skill sets)
• What excites you about yourself?
• Your recent job titles
• Professional Accomplishments
• What kind of job you’re looking for, and your target audience?

Here’s a good example:

And another good example:

Tiffani, International Finance and Economics Graduate, stands out because they:

• Shows they value in-depth knowledge as a Chief Financial Officer by demonstrating pride in their heritage and world experience.
• Presents a no-BS attitude that makes them likable.
• Avoids jargon-filled phrases like “Highly motivated results-oriented recruiter with a proven track record” that too many of his peers use.
• Lists a breadth of countries visited, helping candidates find common ground when connecting. 

Lines we love:

My job is to find an entry-level role to work for a large firm with integrity. Who seeks to excel in their field, who respects and values their employees, clients, and serves their community well.

Tips on How to Write the Good LinkedIn Profile Summary

• Use clear, concise sentences and keep them between 3 and 5 paragraphs long.
• Separate the information into well-organized paragraphs.
• When appropriate, use bullet points.
• People management? Include how many and in what context.
• Be specific and use numbers – the number of people you managed, the range of the budget you handled, and so on.

Add your work history

If you’re a job seeker, your LinkedIn profile is a great way to showcase your skills and experience. One way to do this is to add a “Featured” section. To do this, go to your profile, click the “Add profile section” button, and select “Featured.”

From there, you can choose what you want to add, whether it’s articles you’ve written, projects you’ve worked on, or events you’ve organized. This is a great way to show off your skills and experience to potential employers.

Another way to showcase your work is by adding multimedia to your profile. You can upload photos, videos, or presentations that highlight your expertise. This is a great way to make your profile stand out and show potential employers what you’re capable of. So, if you’re looking for a way to showcase your skills on LinkedIn, add a Featured section and multimedia to your profile.

Here’s an example of what a good example looks like:

Include most if not all of your licenses and certifications

Professional licenses and certifications can help set you apart from other job seekers and show that you have the skills and knowledge required for the role. If you have any relevant licenses or certifications, be sure to include them in your LinkedIn profile. To do this, go to your profile, hit “add profile section,” and pick “licenses and certifications” from the drop-down menu. Then, simply add the relevant information about each license or certification. Including this information in your profile will help you to stand out from other candidates and show that you are qualified for the role.

Fill in that skills section (and get some endorsements)

Crafting a strong LinkedIn profile is essential for any job seeker. One important but often overlooked section is the “Skills and Endorsements” section. LinkedIn allows you to add up to 50 skills, so take advantage of this by listing all your skills, synonyms, and derivatives. For example, if you’re a web developer, you might include skills such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design. By including a variety of skills, you increase your chances of showing up in search results and catching the attention of potential employers. So don’t neglect this important part of your LinkedIn profile – take the time to list all the skills you have to offer.

Once you’re done building your LinkedIn job seeker profile, it’s time to get some endorsements. Contact your coworkers and former colleagues who are on LinkedIn and ask them to endorse your skills. To return the favor, you can also offer to endorse them. Why is this important? Because endorsements are social proof. They may not be the deciding factor for whether a recruiter hires you, but they will give your profile an added boost of credibility. Furthermore, endorsements from people in your field can help you to stand out from the competition. So, take the time to build up your endorsements, and you’ll be sure to see the benefits.

Hack the honors & awards section    

1. Open your profile on LinkedIn. Scroll down to the section labeled “Honors & Awards.”
2. Begin adding your accomplishments, one by one. For each accomplishment, include as much detail as possible. Where applicable, include information about the scope of the project, your individual contribution, and any challenges you faced and overcame.
3. Be sure to add a mix of accomplishments, including both professional and personal achievements.
4. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your job seeker profile and offer feedback on your Honors & Awards section. Make any necessary revisions based on their feedback.
5. Save your changes and close the profile page.

Adding languages

In terms of languages, simply enter the languages you know along with their knowledge level (e.g., Beginner, Intermediate, Fluent, etc.), and you’re good to go.

Mentioning languages on LinkedIn is always useful, as many multilingual job opportunities are available in almost every field.

Here’s an example of a good awards section:

• 2018, Bronze Clio Digital/Mobile & Social Media Technique Award
• 2013, Smith & Company Marketing Campaign of the Year
• 2008, JonesFlores Innovation Accomplishment Award

Make your LinkedIn profile visible to everyone

Anyone who is logged into their LinkedIn profile or the mobile app should typically see your full profile. So, make sure your LinkedIn profile is accessible to everyone. It’s an essential change if your objective is to find a new job, make new connections, post stories, and grow your network. This ensures you have the most visibility and the maximum chance of being hired.

Work keywords throughout your profile

When writing your profile summary, it’s important to use all 2,000 characters so that you can include as many keywords as possible. This will help your profile show up more often in searches. The same is true for each section of your work experience, education, and volunteer experience.

Use all the available space to include as many keywords as possible. Including relevant keywords throughout your profile will improve your chances of being found by potential employers and networking contacts.

Recruiters search for these in resumes using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) , and in profiles by using the LinkedIn Recruiter platform. Plus, the top keywords for LinkedIn are all generally keywords that will be included on your resume, too.

Just like in an ATS, recruiters use the LinkedIn Recruiter platform to search for candidates by position titles, location, and skills. 

Here’s a list of top keywords for your LinkedIn profile, based on what recruiters search for:

Position Titles

Specific job titles are among the most searched keywords on LinkedIn. Recruiters aren’t just going to search for a “Tech Industry Leader.” They’re searching for “Senior Mechanical Engineer,” “UX Design Associate,” or “HR Manager.”

Make sure you don’t just include your current job title but the exact titles of prospective jobs you’re looking for too.

Location

Similarly, don’t just list your current location on your profile (though you should absolutely do that.) If you’re looking to relocate, be sure to mention the cities and states you’re interested in.

Skills & Certifications

Searching for skills and certifications is a surefire way to find profiles that fit the mold of the recruiter’s ideal candidate. Integrate names of specific software, methodologies, and both hard and soft skills throughout your profile.

Likewise, be sure to include important certifications you hold. Many job descriptions will call only for candidates who have a PMP, SHRM, or similar certification, so you better believe recruiters will search for those.

In all of these, use industry-standard language. If you’re a Certified Scrum Master, say exactly that instead of something like “Scrum expert.”

Here’s how it works in practice:

As a Ph.D., you have a wide range of technical skills.

These technical skills are also keywords to include in your LinkedIn profile.

A hiring manager or recruiter will look for people who possess the skills they seek in a job candidate.

Here are examples of Ph.D. skill sets keywords and ways to describe them.

• Analysis & Problem-Solving.
• Interpersonal & Leadership.
• Project Management & Organization.
• Research & Information Management.
• Self-Management & Work Habits.
• Written & Oral Communication.

Here are some good examples of how to do this:

About section Keywords Insertion:

Professional Experiences Insertion:

For example, those aiming for marketing keywords for their LinkedIn could do this:

Get some recommendations

LinkedIn recommendations can add social proof to a job seeker’s profile and show that your coworkers and peers think highly of your skills. You can get the best, most meaningful recommendations from your direct management.

To get started, think of all the people you’re close to and have had positive interactions within your professional crowd. Then, contact them and ask them for a recommendation on your LinkedIn profile. By taking this step, you’ll be on your way to furthering your career goals.

Disclose that you’re open to new opportunities

A good LinkedIn profile is a job hunter’s best friend. Updating your status to “open to new opportunities” tells recruiters that you are actively looking for a job. This way, they will be more likely to approach you with potential job openings.

And don’t worry, your boss won’t be able to see your status; just make sure that “Share with recruiters only” is turned on. So, if you’re serious about finding a new job, make sure to update your LinkedIn profile accordingly.

Either way, LinkedIn gives you control over how visible you are to recruiters. You can use this to your advantage to get your dream job.

Complete skills assessments

Taking skills assessments is a great way to improve your chances of getting hired. Data shows that candidates with verified skills are around 30% more likely to be hired for the roles they apply for.

And displaying proof of your abilities strengthens your personal brand more generally as well.

That’s why taking a skills assessment and adding the results to your LinkedIn profile is a good idea. It’s a quick and easy way to demonstrate your abilities and show potential employers that you’re the right person for the job.

These quizzes are an excellent way to give proof of your proficiency in skills to potential hiring managers and others with whom you’re networking.

Why take assessments?

Assessments are free to take, and even if you fail, they won’t hurt your profile. 

“Show your badge on your profile and in recruiter searches” make sure the switch is turned on. This way, your profile, and especially the Skills section, will look much more impressive. 

Also, when recruiters are searching for candidates on LinkedIn, if they have a filter on to look for people who have passed specific skill assessments, you’ll be sure to show up!

Spotlight the services you offer

Job seekers can use LinkedIn to find new opportunities and connect with potential employers. However, LinkedIn offers a unique feature to consultants, freelancers, and those working for smaller businesses.

The new Services feature helps these professionals showcase their range of services. Just as significantly, filling out the Services section of your profile can boost your visibility in search results.

This means that potential clients are more likely to find you when they search for someone with your skills and expertise. As a result, taking the time to complete the Services section of your LinkedIn profile can pay off in a big way.

For example:

Look at the example below with a ‘Marketing’ Business Focus to illustrate how to add services you provide.

Connect with your current and past colleagues, clients and partners

During the hiring process, prospective employers look at your LinkedIn profile. Making connections with previous coworkers can significantly increase the size of your network and give the impression that you are more involved in your field. This raises your chances of connecting with a hiring manager, which could offer you an edge over the competition.

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, so one new connection can lead to many others. You gain indirect access to former coworkers’ contacts when you add them to your network. This implies that if they like or comment on your posts, you’ll show up as a suggested connection in their network and your postings will display in their contacts’ newsfeeds. This will increase your visibility and help you connect with people who might prove valuable to your career.

You can share your profile with any of your 1st-degree connections and coworkers from the introduction section on your profile. This can help you to grow your network or to increase your chance of finding and securing professional opportunities.

To share your profile:

• Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
• Click View profile.
• Click the More… button in your introduction section.

• Select Share Profile from the dropdown.

Add your LinkedIn profile in another language

If you’re looking at international opportunities, or even if you simply want to interact with professionals in your sector in other countries through LinkedIn, nothing is better than putting your LinkedIn profile in a secondary language.

Creating a profile in the local language of that country is a great way to present your visibility.

To create your profile in a second language, visit your LinkedIn profile page. In the upper right-hand corner, click on “Add Profile in Another Language.”

LinkedIn Profile enhancements for active job searchers

Direct connect with recruiters & hiring managers

LinkedIn is probably the only place where you can get a message directly to the person doing the hiring. Use it to connect with recruiters, hiring managers, and other professionals in your industry.

If you’re job seeking, a direct connection with recruiters and hiring managers is a must. One of the easiest ways to grow your LinkedIn network is to sync your profile with your email address book. This enables LinkedIn to suggest people you could connect with. LinkedIn will also show you how you are connected to potential new connections, which can be a helpful way to break the ice. You never know when a recruiter or hiring manager will check out your profile, so it’s always good to have a strong and up-to-date presence on LinkedIn. So go ahead and sync those profiles! Plus, the more connections you have, the easier it will be to find a job when you are ready to make a move.

To send an InMail Message, navigate to the profile of the member you’d like to send an InMail message to, or you can also search for a member and send a new InMail message from the messaging page or conversation windows. Click the More button on their introduction section. Select Message [Name of the member] from the dropdown. Type the Subject field (optional) in the new message pop-up window. Type the message in the text box. Click Send.

Example of InMail Message:

Hello {{prospect name}},

I came to know that you are using {{competitor’s product}} for {{purpose}}. So, I wanted to connect with you to introduce our new launch {{product name}}. It is quite similar to {{competitor’s product}} but is way better in functionality.

Without taking much of your time, here is a summary of its features:

{{advantages}}

Does it seem interesting?

Our company is offering a free trial for esteemed individuals like you to experience the effects for yourself.

Please let me know if the free trial interests you.

Thanks,

{{Your name}}

Follow relevant influencers in your industry

A good LinkedIn profile isn’t just a digital resume – it’s a way to show your professional personality and build a network of engaged contacts. One way to make sure your profile is engaging and up to date is to follow relevant influencers in your field.

This ensures that your feed is full of interesting content you can share with others, demonstrating your expertise and passion for your work. In addition, the following influencers give context to your profile, helping you to stand out from the crowd and connect with like-minded professionals and recruiters. So, if you’re looking to build a strong LinkedIn presence, don’t forget to follow the right influencers for you.

Leverage a custom LinkedIn cover photo

According to data, recruiters only remember 20% of what they read but 80% of what they see.

And as a result, people with custom cover photos receive more connection requests, messages, and job interviews.

Background photo tech specs

But here’s the twist… Almost no one takes advantage of this! For your cover photo to show up the way you want it to, you should pay attention to the size requirements. The recommended LinkedIn background photo dimensions are 1584 x 396 pixels. The quality of the picture you upload is essential as well. with 4MB and an aspect ratio of 4:1 ideally.  When it comes to formats, LinkedIn accepts JPG, GIF, and PNG.

The background photo of your profile page is one major factor in attracting the attention and consideration of recruiters. It should highlight what matters most to you while setting a context for potential employers who may be viewing it at any time.

The right typeface can make all the difference when trying to stand out amongst other candidates – so be sure not only to choose wisely but tightly crop wherever possible!

Start reposting industry-relevant content

Creating and sharing content on LinkedIn is essential to getting the most out of the platform. Hiring managers, recruiters, and business executives will see you more often if you consistently post high-quality content. This is very powerful as not only does this broaden the number of people who see your posts, but it also has the benefit of being viewed as worthy of engagement.

LinkedIn best practices for a complete LinkedIn profile

Fill out your profile completely

While it’s easy to skip over some sections, it is always more beneficial to ensure that you completely fill out your LinkedIn profile. Why? Well, the most filled-out profiles come up first during a recruiter search, and if yours isn’t fully completed, you risk that the headhunter will not see your profile as it will appear at the bottom of the search list.

Add your pronouns

Pronouns are an important part of language and communication, they are also key to a good LinkedIn profile for job seekers. By including your pronouns in your profile, you will avoid any awkwardness or confusion later on. You will also signal to potential employers that you are an inclusive and professional individual who is comfortable with using different pronouns and make your LinkedIn profile always worthy.

Customize your URL

Job seekers often create a LinkedIn profile in order to connect with potential employers and build their professional network. When creating a good LinkedIn profile, users are given an automatically generated URL that includes a string of random numbers. This URL can be difficult to find, read, and share. Having a professional and clean URL that includes only your name is much easier.

To change your URL on LinkedIn, go to your profile page and click “Edit public profile & URL.” Then click the “Edit” button next to your current URL. Enter the new URL and click “Save.” Having a name-only URL on LinkedIn will make it easier for people to find, read, and share your profile.

Add some interests

This is a valuable way to show some personality and stand out from the competition. If a recruiter from such a company is looking at your profile, they’re going to be more inclined to contact you.

To add an interest – just look up whatever company, group, or school you’re interested in, click on their LinkedIn page, and then select “Add to Interests.” That’s it!

 Just remember to keep it professional – no one wants to see that you’re interested in “partying” or “getting trashed.” Keep it job seeker-focused, and you’ll be on your way to impressing recruiters in no time.

Customize your invites

While many connections occur organically on LinkedIn, there will be situations where you’ll want to take a proactive approach and reach out to specific connections.

For this to be effective, you need to create a customized invite that provides a snapshot of your profile highlights — who you are, what you do, and why it matters — along with a personalized message about why this connection matters to you.

With so much competition out there, a generic invite is likely to get lost in the shuffle. But a well-crafted invite that is tailored to the individual will help you stand out and improve your chances of making a lasting connection. 

Here’s an example of what a good connection message looks like:

“Greetings, [First Name],

I’m currently looking for a new job and am expanding my network with HR professionals like yourself. Willing to discuss any opportunities at any time.

Best wishes,

[Your Name Here]”

Plus, adding a Skills Assessment badge to your profile makes you stand out from other candidates – which can make all the difference in getting hired. So if you’re looking for a way to improve your job prospects, taking a skills assessment is a great place to start.

Make your LinkedIn profile buzzwords-free

Do you have the word “driven” on your LinkedIn profile?

That could be a mistake.

According to LinkedIn, “driven” is one of the ten most overused buzzwords found in LinkedIn profiles — words that “make you go ‘meh'” and should be removed immediately (if not sooner).

A good LinkedIn profile will give a potential employer a well-rounded sense of your skills, experience, and character. However, many job seekers fall into the trap of using meaningless buzzwords in an attempt to make their profile stand out.

Why no buzzwords?

While it’s important to use language that accurately describes your abilities, overusing terms like ‘specialized,’ ‘leadership,’ ‘focused,’ ‘strategic,’ ‘experienced,’ ‘passionate,’ ‘expert,’ ‘creative,’ ‘innovative’ and ‘certified’ can have the opposite effect.

This is because these words are used so often that they have become almost completely meaningless. Instead of using buzzwords, focus on using clear and concise language. This will help you create a LinkedIn profile that accurately reflects your skills and experience.

Take this bio, for example:

I’ll give it a go at editing to make a buzzword-free profile.

Use the find nearby feature

A little-known feature on the LinkedIn Mobile app is “Find Nearby.” This feature allows users to see profiles of other users who are physically nearby and who have also turned on the feature.

This can be extremely helpful if you are attending a physical networking event, as it allows you to see the LinkedIn profiles of nearby attendees. This is a great way to make sure that your profile is seen by people who might be interested in connecting with you.

Publish long-form content and add comments

By sharing relevant content and adding comments, you can give yourself greater prominence in the LinkedIn feed and start to express why you think a particular piece of content matters. LinkedIn is also a great way to share a broader range of content. By adding comments to your shares, you can show potential employers your interest in a certain field or company and start to build rapport. Well-expressed comments also make it clear that you have something valuable to say and are willing to engage in thoughtful discussion. As a result, adding comments to your LinkedIn shares is a great way to improve your chances of landing your dream job.

You can do so by clicking on the ‘’Post’’ Button and Sharing Content related to your industry.

A little like this:

The bottom line

Craft a Standout Profile

Now that you’ve gone through the checklist of what makes a good LinkedIn profile, it’s time to sit back and wait for the job offers to start rolling in! By ensuring that your profile is strong and engaging, you’re setting yourself up for success in the world of online networking. So, take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor – a well-deserved job offer may be on its way. Thanks for reading, and best of luck in your job search!

Frequently Asked Questions

How safe is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is as secure as any other social networking site. You can safeguard yourself by creating a unique password that is not shared with any other accounts. However, any information you post on your profile should be considered public information.

Can I add my resume on LinkedIn?

At the top of the LinkedIn homepage, click the “Jobs” icon. Select “Applied Jobs” (above the search bar). Select a job to view more about it and see the resume used to apply.