How to Build a LinkedIn Profile Recruiters Actually Find

LinkedIn is where many recruiters look for candidates, and where hiring managers check you out after receiving your application. A complete, specific profile helps you appear in their searches and makes a strong impression when they click.

Photo and banner

• Use a clear, recent photo where your face is visible and well lit. It does not need to be a professional studio shot; a good phone photo against a plain background works.
• Add a banner image relevant to your field, your city or your work. It is a small detail that makes the profile look maintained.

Headline: more than your job title

Your headline appears in search results next to your name, so it carries a lot of weight. Instead of only "Marketing Executive at Company X", describe what you do and for whom, using the terms recruiters search:

"B2B Content Marketer | SEO, Email and Marketing Automation | Helping SaaS companies turn content into pipeline"

About section: tell a specific story

Write in the first person. In a few short paragraphs, cover:

• What you do and the kind of problems you solve
• Your key skills and specialisms, using natural keywords
• Two or three notable achievements
• What you are looking for or open to

The first two lines show before the "see more" link, so make them count.

Experience: achievements, not job descriptions

For each role, add a short description and three to five bullet points focused on results. Use the same action + task + result approach as your resume; see our ATS resume guide. Make sure dates and titles match your resume.

Add media where possible: presentations, published articles, project links, portfolio pieces.

Skills

Add the skills most relevant to the roles you want, and order the top ones carefully. Recruiters often filter by skills, so include the specific tools and methods in your field. Ask colleagues to endorse the most important ones.

Recommendations

Recommendations from managers, colleagues and clients add credibility. Ask specific people and suggest what they might mention, such as a project you worked on together. Offer to write one in return.

Settings that help you get found

• Location: set the city or region where you want to work; recruiters often filter by it.
• Open to work: LinkedIn lets you signal that you are open to opportunities, either publicly or only to recruiters. Choose the option that suits your situation.
• Custom URL: edit your profile URL to something clean, such as your name, and add it to your resume.

Be visible, not just present

A profile that shows recent activity looks more current. You do not need to post daily:

• Share something useful from your field once a week or fortnight.
• Comment thoughtfully on posts from people in your industry.
• Write occasional longer posts about lessons from your work.
• Join and contribute to relevant groups.

Writing about your expertise is also a strong way to build credibility beyond LinkedIn. Many professionals publish longer articles on platforms like FlexyBlogs and share them on their profile.

Keep it honest and consistent

Recruiters compare your profile, resume and interview answers. Keep titles, dates and claims consistent and accurate. When you get to interview stage, prepare with the STAR method.