How to Build a Standout LinkedIn Profile That Gets You Hired 🚀

1. Perfect Your LinkedIn Headline

📌 Why it matters: Your headline is the first thing recruiters see. If it’s just your job title, you’re missing an opportunity to stand out!

How to craft a strong LinkedIn headline:

✅ Use keywords relevant to your industry (this helps with LinkedIn SEO).
✅ Highlight your skills & expertise, not just your job title.
✅ Make it engaging & unique (avoid generic titles).

💡 Example of a weak vs. strong headline:
❌ “Marketing Assistant”
✅ “Creative Digital Marketer | SEO & Social Media Specialist | Helping Brands Grow Online”

🚀 Pro Tip: If you’re job-seeking, use something like:
“Aspiring Data Analyst | Python, SQL & Tableau | Open to Work”

2. Choose a Professional Profile Photo & Banner

📌 Why it matters: Profiles with a professional photo get 21x more views and 36x more messages than those without!

How to choose the perfect profile photo:

✔ High-quality, well-lit image (avoid selfies).
✔ Dress professionally—wear what you’d wear to an interview.
✔ Use a neutral background (plain wall, blurred background).

🎨 Banner Image Tips:

• Customise it with your personal brand (e.g., job title, website, key skills).

• Use Canva to create a clean, polished LinkedIn banner.

• Keep it on-brand and clutter-free.

3. Write a Compelling ‘About’ Section

📌 Why it’s important: This is your elevator pitch—where you tell your professional story.

How to write an engaging ‘About’ section:

📝 Structure:
1️⃣ Introduction – Who you are & what you do.
2️⃣ What you do best – Key achievements, strengths, and skills.
3️⃣ What makes you unique – Showcase your personality & passions.
4️⃣ Call to action – Invite recruiters to connect with you.

💡 Example:
"As a results-driven digital marketer, I specialise in SEO, social media, and content creation to drive brand growth. I’ve helped start-ups increase website traffic by 150% and enhance engagement through strategic campaigns. Passionate about storytelling, I thrive on crafting compelling content that connects with audiences. Let’s connect!"

🚀 Pro Tip: Keep it keyword-rich to improve LinkedIn SEO!

4. Optimise Your Experience Section

📌 Why it matters: This isn’t your CV—it’s a place to showcase impact, not just job duties!

How to write powerful job descriptions:

✅ Use action words (“Managed,” “Developed,” “Increased”).
✅ Quantify your results (e.g., “Increased sales by 30% in six months”).
✅ Highlight key skills used (relevant to your target roles).

💡 Example:
📌 Digital Marketing Executive – XYZ Agency (2022-Present)
✔ Increased organic website traffic by 120% through SEO optimisation.
✔ Managed social media campaigns that generated 50,000+ engagements.
✔ Created content that led to a 35% increase in lead conversions.

🚀 Pro Tip: If you're changing industries, focus on transferable skills.

5. Add Skills & Get Endorsements

📌 Why skills matter: LinkedIn reports that profiles with five or more skills get 17x more profile views.

How to choose the right skills:

• Prioritise job-relevant skills.

• Include both hard and soft skills (e.g., “SEO Strategy” + “Leadership”).

• Get endorsements from colleagues, professors, or clients.

💡 How to get endorsements:

• Endorse others first—they often return the favour.

• Ask colleagues with a simple message:
  “Hey [Name], can you endorse me for [skill]? Happy to do the same for you!”

6. Request & Showcase Strong Recommendations

📌 Why recommendations help: They act as mini-testimonials about your work ethic and expertise.

Who to ask for a recommendation?

✔ Former managers or team leads.
✔ Colleagues who worked with you on key projects.
✔ Clients (if you’re a freelancer or consultant).

💡 How to ask (Template):
"Hi [Name], I really enjoyed working with you at [Company]. Would you be open to writing me a quick LinkedIn recommendation? I’d be happy to return the favour!"

🚀 Pro Tip: Even one great recommendation can boost your credibility!

7. Make Your Profile SEO-Friendly

📌 Why LinkedIn SEO matters: Recruiters search for keywords, just like Google.

How to optimise your profile:

✔ Use job-relevant keywords in your headline, summary, and experience section.
✔ Customise your LinkedIn URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/YourName).
✔ Keep your profile public so recruiters can find you.

8. Be Active & Engage with Content

📌 Why engagement boosts visibility: Posting & engaging makes you appear in more searches.

How to stay active on LinkedIn:

✔ Post industry insights or career tips.
✔ Comment on posts to start conversations.
✔ Share professional updates (certifications, promotions, work wins).
✔ Join & contribute to LinkedIn groups.

💡 Post idea examples:

• “Excited to have completed my Google Digital Marketing certification! 🚀”

• “What’s one career tip you wish you knew sooner? Drop it below! 👇”

🚀 Pro Tip: Posting once a week can significantly increase your visibility.

9. Use the ‘Open to Work’ & Job Alerts Features

📌 Why this helps: 75% of job seekers who use ‘Open to Work’ get more messages.

How to enable ‘Open to Work’:

✔ Go to your profile → Click "Open to Work" → Choose who can see it (public or recruiters only).
✔ Set job alerts to get notified about new roles matching your skills.

🚀 Final Checklist for a Standout LinkedIn Profile

✅ Strong headline with keywords
✅ Professional photo & banner
✅ Engaging About section
✅ Optimised Experience section with results
✅ Relevant skills & endorsements
✅ Active engagement with content
✅ Open to Work enabled for job seekers

Ready to land more job offers? Optimise your LinkedIn profile today and start attracting recruiters!