LinkedIn Profile Tips — How to Optimise Your Profile to Land a Job

Your LinkedIn profile is more than an online resume — it’s your digital reputation. Recruiters, employers, and industry peers are all looking at it, often before they even read your CV.

Yet many job seekers treat their LinkedIn profile as an afterthought, leaving it incomplete, outdated, or generic. If you want to stand out and get noticed for the right opportunities, your profile needs to be polished, keyword-optimised, and strategically designed to attract your ideal roles.

Here are my top LinkedIn profile tips to help you land interviews faster.

1. Start with a Professional Profile Photo

Your profile photo is the first thing people notice — and it heavily influences their first impression. Choose a recent, high-quality headshot where you look approachable and confident.

Tips:
- Dress in a way that reflects your target industry.
- Use good lighting and a neutral or clean background.
- Avoid selfies, group photos, or overly casual shots.

Profiles with professional photos get up to 21 times more profile views than those without.

2. Write a Headline That Sells You

Your headline appears everywhere — in search results, connection requests, and messages. Don’t just list your current job title; use it to show your value and target role.

Example:
- Weak: 'Marketing Graduate'
- Strong: 'Marketing Graduate | Social Media & Content Creation Specialist | Driving Brand Growth'

Include keywords recruiters might search for, such as your industry, skills, or target role.

3. Craft a Compelling About Section

The About section is your elevator pitch. Use it to tell your career story, highlight achievements, and share what you can offer.

Structure it in three parts:
1. **Who you are** — Brief background and area of expertise.
2. **What you do** — Key skills, achievements, and experience.
3. **Where you’re going** — The types of opportunities you’re seeking.

Write in the first person to make it personable and relatable.

4. Optimise Your Experience Section

List your past roles with bullet points focused on achievements, not just duties.

Example:
- Weak: 'Responsible for managing social media accounts.'
- Strong: 'Increased Instagram engagement by 40% and grew followers by 3,000 within 6 months.'

Include relevant keywords in each role to improve your chances of appearing in recruiter searches.

5. Showcase Your Skills and Endorsements

Add at least 30–50 skills to your profile, focusing on those relevant to your target roles. Skills are a major factor in LinkedIn’s search algorithm.

Prioritise your top three skills so they appear prominently. Ask colleagues or classmates to endorse you for these skills to boost credibility.

6. Build Credibility with Recommendations

Recommendations are personal testimonials that add weight to your profile. Request them from former managers, colleagues, lecturers, or clients.

Tip: Don’t just ask for a generic recommendation — guide them on what to highlight based on your target role.

7. Stay Active and Engaged

Posting content, commenting thoughtfully on others’ posts, and sharing industry news increases your visibility.

Even liking and commenting once a week can keep you on the radar of your network and recruiters.

Turn Your LinkedIn Profile into a Job Magnet

An optimised LinkedIn profile can open doors to opportunities you didn’t even apply for. If you want a step-by-step system to get interviews faster, download the Skilled Job Starter Kit — the free resource that’s helped hundreds of migrants and international students land skilled jobs.

Inside, you’ll get:
- A proven ATS resume template
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- A LinkedIn checklist to boost recruiter trust
- Interview strategies to turn offers into jobs

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FAQs

Do I really need a professional photo for LinkedIn?

Yes. A professional photo makes you appear more credible and approachable, and significantly increases profile views.

How often should I update my LinkedIn profile?

Update it whenever you gain new skills, complete major projects, or change roles. At a minimum, review it every 6 months.

Should I connect with recruiters on LinkedIn?

Absolutely. Recruiters often search for candidates directly on LinkedIn, and connecting with them increases your visibility.