LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Tips from a Recruiter

In today’s competitive job market, your LinkedIn profile is more than just an online CV, it’s your personal brand, your digital first impression, and often the deciding factor in whether you get that first call.

Here are our top LinkedIn optimisation tips , straight from a recruiter’s perspective.

Start with a Strong Headline

Your headline is prime real estate. It appears everywhere, in searches, connection requests, and even comments.Instead of just listing your job title (“Marketing Executive”), make it value-driven. E.g.“Digital Marketing Specialist | Driving Lead Growth Through Data-Driven Campaigns”

Recruiters often search by keywords, so make sure your headline includes industry-relevant terms (e.g., “Project Manager,” “Software Engineer,” “Financial Analyst”).

Use a Professional (Yet Approachable) Profile Photo

Profiles with photos get up to 21x more views. But it’s not about glamour shots, it’s about trust.Choose a clear, well-lit head shot where you look approachable and professional. Avoid group photos, heavy filters, or casual backgrounds.

If possible, add a branded LinkedIn background banner,for instance, something relevant to your industry or featuring your company logo. It subtly communicates professionalism.

Optimise Your “About” Section

Think of your About section as your personal elevator pitch. It’s not just a bio; it’s your story.

Structure it like this:

• Opening line: Who you are and what drives you

• Core strengths: 3–5 key skills or areas of expertise

• Achievements: Mention metrics or results (e.g., “Increased client retention by 40% in 12 months”)

• Call to action: Invite connection (“Let’s connect if you’re looking for data-driven marketing insights!”)

Keep it conversational, recruiters appreciate authenticity over jargon.

Use Keywords Strategically

LinkedIn’s search algorithm works a lot like Google’s. Recruiters use Boolean searches like:

("UX Designer" OR "User Experience Designer") AND "Figma" AND "Prototyping"

So, pepper your profile (especially the Headline, About, and Experience sections) with industry keywords, tools, and skills.

But keep it natural, keyword stuffing can make your profile sound robotic.

Showcase Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities

When describing past roles, focus on impact rather than job duties.Instead of writing: “Responsible for managing social media accounts.”

Try: “Grew social media following by 200% and boosted engagement through data-driven content strategies.”

Use bullet points and metrics where possible, they make your experience easy to scan and more credible.

Leverage the Skills & Endorsements Section

Add at least 20–30 relevant skills. LinkedIn’s algorithm uses this section to match candidates to job postings.Ask colleagues or clients to endorse your skills, it adds credibility to your claims.

And remember to pin your top 3 most relevant skills, these appear first.

Request (and Give) Recommendations

Recommendations act as social proof.Reach out to previous managers, teammates, or clients and ask for short, specific testimonials.For instance: “John consistently delivered high-quality marketing campaigns that exceeded KPIs.”

Also, take time to write recommendations for others, people often reciprocate.

Engage and Stay Active

LinkedIn isn’t a “set and forget” platform.Recruiters often check your activity feed to gauge how engaged and current you are in your field.

Tips:

• Share insights, not just job updates

• Comment meaningfully on industry posts

• Celebrate your peers’ wins

• Join groups or discussions in your niche

Active profiles appear higher in searches and feel more approachable to recruiters.

Customise Your LinkedIn URL

A small but powerful tweak: edit your LinkedIn URL to something simple and professional.For example: This makes your profile easier to share, and looks cleaner on your resume or email signature.

Turn On “Open to Work” - the Right Way

If you’re job hunting, use the “Open to Work” feature. You can choose whether to make it visible to all LinkedIn users or only to recruiters.

Fill in specific job titles, locations, and work types (e.g., hybrid, remote). The more detailed you are, the more likely recruiters will find you for relevant roles.

Final Thoughts

Optimising your LinkedIn profile isn’t about gaming the system, it’s about telling your story effectively and making it easy for recruiters to find and trust you.

Remember: your LinkedIn is a living document. Keep it updated, be authentic, and engage regularly. When you show up as your best professional self online, opportunities naturally follow.

Ready to take action? Review your LinkedIn profile today and update at least three sections from this guide, your headline, about section, and featured content. Small tweaks can make a big difference in how recruiters see you.