If you are using LinkedIn to stay visible in your industry, your LinkedIn profile needs to be more than just “filled in.” The goal is to carefully craft it to make it highly searchable, as well as reflecting both who you are and what you do. A strong LinkedIn profile serves as a dynamic career tool that, when done right, helps you show up in searches, makes you stand out to recruiters, and generates opportunities.
LinkedIn plays a significant role in modern job searching. Around 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to source and vet job candidates. Once more, 94% of recruiters use it to vet candidates during the hiring process. With more than 1 billion members across the globe, it’s become a major force in how professionals connect and how employers discover new talent.
Microsoft’s decision to purchase LinkedIn in a $26.2 billion all-cash deal back in December 2016 was a signal to the professional world that this platform would continue growing and evolving for the long haul.
To get noticed in this increasingly crowded space, consider these 3 specific changes you can make right now to upgrade your profile performance.
Headline
The headline section offers 220 characters that can help drive visibility when optimized properly. Most people just copy their job title into this field and move on. But there’s an opportunity here to do more. Think about the titles and keywords people are typing into search. Phrases such as “Marketing Manager,” “Product Designer,” or “Cybersecurity Analyst” are all commonly searched. Add those terms, then follow with a brief summary of what you bring to the table. This might include a skill, an achievement area, or an industry focus.
Avoid the temptation to get creative with job titles. Yes, titles such as “Growth Wizard” or “Experience Ninja” are kind of cool, but they won’t show up in search queries and often confuse readers. Cute, but useless.
About Section
Your About section is where storytelling and search optimization meet. With 2,600 characters to prime real estate to work with, you can write a compelling summary that covers your background, experience, and professional strengths. Use this space in your LinkedIn profile to focus on who you serve, how you solve problems, and what you’ve done that matters. But also think in terms of visibility. Include industry keywords and commonly used terminology that relate to your field. If you are in IT, that could mean referencing cloud security, system integration, or network infrastructure. This section of your LinkedIn profile has to read naturally, but it should also be working behind the scenes to improve your chances of being discovered.
Job Titles
Many people carry job titles that sound interesting internally but don’t translate well externally. If you’ve held a role such as “Client Experience Architect,” the language might confuse recruiters who are searching for “UX Designer” or “Customer Success Manager.” Similar to the recommendation for your headline, keep the creativity to a minimum here. Your actual job title needs to match terms recruiters and hiring managers use in their searches. This can increase your LinkedIn profile visibility in search results and avoid being passed over due to unclear titles. Adjusting titles to align with broader industry naming conventions can significantly boost profile impressions.
Putting It All Together
When you begin optimizing your profile, think from the outside in. What will someone searching for your skills and experience actually type? If you’re not using those words in your headline, About section, and job titles, then you’re likely missing out on opportunities.
If you are currently sporting the job title “Logistics Wizard,” go ahead and make that change to “Supply Chain Manager” and improve keyword usage throughout the About section in your LinkedIn profile. I will bet that your profile could see as much as a 35% increase in profile views and a 50% jump in search appearances over the next month.
Small edits made a measurable difference.
These 3 adjustments may seem simple, but they carry weight in how your profile is ranked and reviewed. Instead of hoping someone finds your profile, make it easier for them to do so. These areas are where LinkedIn’s algorithm pays the most attention, so they’re where you should focus first.
When you are more intentional with your LinkedIn profile strategy, you will actually be seen and found by those who value what you offer. Every word you write either pulls someone in or allows them to scroll past. Make your words count.
