In the competitive job market, standing out to recruiters on LinkedIn is crucial. We’ve gathered insights from executive recruiters and CEOs, among other professionals, to bring you 23 key elements that can make your profile shine. From avoiding brevity and updating regularly to making your headline an elevator pitch, discover what these experts say should not be missed on your LinkedIn profile.
- Avoid brevity and update regularly
Like many recruiters, I review a potential candidate’s LinkedIn profile. The most egregious error I recognize with many is brevity. That is, regardless of their tenure, they provide just a barebones amount of information on their profiles. Meaning, they only include a brief explanation of themselves and their career in the “About” section. In addition, in the “Experience” section, many contain nothing more than their companies, the job titles, and the years of employment at the company.
As a veteran recruiter, I utilize LinkedIn to identify potential executives for roles I have been retained to fill by my client partners. If I am not able to ascertain enough information from the LinkedIn profile, I often pass on them without giving them as much as a courtesy phone screening.
In closing, one must remember: LinkedIn is just one of many networking tools available. For it to be most effective, it requires sharpening from time to time. As is true with one’s resume, I often advise candidates to make it a routine practice to update their LinkedIn profile at a minimum quarterly. In doing so, it will provide others (i.e., recruiters) the most current and pertinent information that may potentially help you land your next job.
- Highlight career achievements in your About section
Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for those who can bring immediate results, and by summarizing your career success in an early section of your LinkedIn profile, you significantly increase your chance of catching their eye.
The best way to catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers is to utilize the LinkedIn “About” section to demonstrate your top five to seven career achievements. In bullet-point format, list your significant achievements or top impacts you’ve had on your employers.
Finish the “About” section by pasting one or two of the best LinkedIn recommendations you have received, preferably from a former boss.
Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for those who can bring immediate results, and by summarizing your career success in an early section of your LinkedIn profile, you significantly increase your chance of catching their eye.
- Activate the ‘Open to Work’ badge
To start, you want to make sure that your “Open to Work” badge is active. This increases visibility for recruiters in targeted searches via LinkedIn’s recruiter tool. The headline and summary sections are important as well. It’s no secret that LinkedIn is very crowded. Be sure to add a human touch to your summary section. Strong conversation starters significantly increase your chances in the early stages.
- Write a keyword-rich headline
One crucial element jobseekers should include on their LinkedIn profile to catch the eye of recruiters or hiring managers is a well-crafted, keyword-rich headline. This headline should succinctly convey your professional identity, key skills, and the value you bring to potential employers. For example, instead of just stating “Software Developer,” you could say “Experienced Software Developer | Specializing in AI & Machine Learning | Python & Java Expert.”
Tips for an outstanding LinkedIn profile:
• Professional Photo: Use a high-quality, professional-looking headshot.
• Compelling Summary: Write a clear, engaging summary that highlights your experience, skills, and career goals.
• Detailed Experience: List your relevant job experiences with bullet points showcasing achievements and responsibilities.
• Skills and Endorsements: Add key skills and seek endorsements from colleagues and clients.
• Recommendations: Request and display recommendations from supervisors, peers, or clients.
- Use a results-oriented headline
My top recommendation for job seekers looking to catch the eye of recruiters or hiring managers on LinkedIn is to craft a compelling and results-oriented headline.
Why your headline is crucial:
Your headline is one of the first things people see when they visit your profile. It appears right below your name and is visible in search results, making it a key element for making a strong first impression.
LinkedIn’s search algorithm prioritizes keywords found in the headline. Using relevant industry-specific keywords can improve your visibility in recruiter searches.
A well-crafted headline quickly conveys your professional identity, key skills, and the value you bring to potential employers.
How to write an effective headline:
Be Specific and Descriptive: Clearly state your job title and key skills. Instead of just saying “Software Developer,” opt for “Full-Stack Software Developer Specializing in JavaScript and Python.”
Highlight Achievements or Value: Include a brief mention of your key accomplishments or the impact you’ve made in your field. For example, “Award-Winning Marketing Manager | Proven Track Record in Boosting Brand Engagement by 30%.”
Use Relevant Keywords: Think about what recruiters in your industry are searching for. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your headline.
Show Your Unique Selling Point (USP): What sets you apart from others in your field? Whether it’s a certification, unique expertise, or a significant project you led, make sure it’s highlighted.
Example headline formulas:
[Job Title] | [Specialization/Key Skills] | [Notable Achievement/Value Proposition]
Example: “Data Scientist | Machine Learning & AI Expert | 5+ Years Experience Driving Predictive Analytics”
[Job Title] | [Industry/Field] | [Unique Selling Point]
Example: “Digital Marketing Strategist | E-commerce & SEO Specialist | Certified Google Analytics Professional”
[Current Role] | [Key Skills/Expertise] | [Impact/Achievement]
Example: “Senior Financial Analyst | Budgeting & Forecasting | Improved Financial Reporting Efficiency by 25%”
Regularly update your headline to reflect new skills, experiences, and career achievements. This keeps your profile dynamic and ensures that recruiters and hiring managers always see the most current and relevant information about you. It’s also crucial to include quantifiable achievements and metrics, as these provide clear evidence of your impact and effectiveness in your roles.
- Make your summary compelling
One essential element of the LinkedIn profile that a job seeker needs to capture real attention from the recruiter or hiring manager is a compelling and well-crafted summary. Many times, this is the first thing recruiters read—it gives them a snapshot of your professional identity.
Add some relevant keywords to your field so that your profile will come up when someone searches for them. For example, if you are a marketing professional, you should use such words as “digital marketing,” “SEO,” or “content strategy.”
Also, quantify your achievements with some exact metrics, such as “increased sales by 20%,” or “managed a team of 15.” It shows not only the achievement but also the proof of it.
Further elaboration of the profiles would involve a professional headshot, a background image somehow connected to your field, and the addition of a headline that goes beyond a job title to convey your brand. And let it be personal, real, so you stand out from among the rest of the candidates, leaving a striking impression in the minds of the probable employers.
- Use a professional profile photo
I believe having a professional photo is the first step in catching the eye of recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn.
The job seeker’s photo is the very first thing a recruiter or hiring manager will see when they are searching for profiles that meet their requirements.
If the job seeker has chosen to limit those who can view their profile photo to only first-degree connections, they risk their profile being overlooked. The recruiter or hiring manager’s eyes will naturally be drawn to those with a photo, not a LinkedIn “egg.”
It’s important for the job seeker to use a professional photo, not just any old photo they would use on other social media.
There are debates over what kind of photo can give a good impression, but I would say the key is for the photo to be clear and show the job seeker’s whole face. Additionally, the job seeker should try their best to look friendly and approachable, and be wearing something that looks professional but not like they are trying too hard. The key is for the job seeker to look like themselves.
- Showcase problem-solving in your About section
“Use the “About” section to highlight the problems that you have solved and the results that you have achieved in your previous roles.
Too many people use their “About” section on LinkedIn to simply recite their resume. This is a huge mistake. For job seekers, use the “About” section to highlight the problems that you have solved and the results that you have achieved in your previous roles.
This is the place to speak in KPIs: dollars saved, timelines shortened, revenue generated.
Your resume already exists as a separate document, as well as in your “Experience” section. Most recruiters spend just a few seconds on a LinkedIn profile before deciding if they want to invest their time to look closer. Make them decide that they do, by having your achievements stand out clearly in the “About” section. LinkedIn has moved this up higher on your profile and it is key real estate for catching attention in a positive way.
- Leverage the featured section
At MyTurn, we’ve seen countless profiles, and the standout element is a compelling “Featured” section. By showcasing a well-curated mix of your best projects, endorsements, and media mentions, you provide a visual and dynamic snapshot of your professional journey.
This not only highlights your achievements but also demonstrates your proactive engagement with your industry. For job seekers, my advice is to leverage this space to tell your unique story in a visually engaging way. This approach has consistently proven to attract more interest from recruiters and hiring managers
- Provide writing samples (not just for writers!)
Too often, recruiters tell me candidates cannot write well. Nip that concern in the bud. Stand out. Add a writing sample that shows you can synthesize complex concepts into clearly presented language to persuade the reader to see your perspective.
For college students, that can be a paper you wrote that the professor thought was exemplary.
For mid-careerists, show an article, memo, or white paper, but be sure there is no sensitive material (or names!) in it.
For more senior executives, showing finesse in other areas is important: show a video of a speech you delivered or a panel discussion you served on.
Be sure to include the context of the writing piece, so the recruiter and hiring manager further understand the background and can appreciate the quality the attachment demonstrates.
Of course, be sure your LinkedIn profile reflects that you can write well about yourself, too!
- Spotlight project highlights
“A well-crafted ‘Project Highlights’ section can make your profile more engaging.”
What I suggest is adding a “Project Highlights” section to your LinkedIn profile. This unique feature can spotlight specific projects you’ve worked on, detailing your role, the skills you used, and the results achieved. It gives recruiters a clear view of your practical experience and problem-solving skills.
Showcasing projects can really set you apart by demonstrating your hands-on expertise. For example, if you led a team to develop a new software feature, mention the challenges you faced, how you tackled them, and the positive impact on the company. This not only highlights your technical skills but also your leadership and strategic thinking.
A well-crafted “Project Highlights” section can make your profile more engaging. It provides concrete examples of your work, making it easier for hiring managers to see your potential contributions to their team. This approach can significantly boost your profile’s appeal.
- Feature industry experience
One key element jobseekers should include on their LinkedIn profile to catch the eye of recruiters or hiring managers is a highlighted section on specific industry experience. Many organizations, especially those in specialized fields like healthcare, seek candidates with industry-specific knowledge due to the steep learning curve associated with these sectors.
For example, if you are a marketer with experience in the healthcare industry, make sure to prominently feature this in your LinkedIn profile summary and job descriptions. Detail the specific projects, campaigns, or initiatives you managed, emphasizing your understanding of industry regulations, audience nuances, and unique market dynamics.
This specialized experience not only showcases your expertise but also positions you as a highly desirable candidate for roles within that industry, giving you a significant boost in your job search. Highlighting your industry-specific experience demonstrates to recruiters that you have the necessary background and can seamlessly integrate into their organization, making you a more attractive prospect.
- Communicate your value proposition
As a remote tech hiring expert, I’ve reviewed countless LinkedIn profiles, and there’s one element that consistently stands out to me: clear and concise communication of your value proposition.
You need to understand that recruiters and hiring managers are scanning dozens, sometimes hundreds, of profiles in a short time. You need to grab their attention quickly and tell them why you’re the ideal candidate.
So, instead of just listing your responsibilities at past jobs, showcase the concrete results you achieved. Did you increase website traffic by 20%? Streamlined a process that saved the company X hours per week? Have you spearheaded a social media campaign that resulted in a 30% rise in new customers within six months?
Use numbers and data whenever possible to showcase the impact your work had.
Through numbers, you should focus on explaining how you tackled a challenge, what approach you took, and the positive outcome. This showcases your problem-solving skills, initiative, and ability to deliver.
Important tip: it doesn’t have to be complex, and you should only highlight the results that directly tie to the types of roles you’re targeting.
With these few tips, you are good to go…
