LinkedIn Profile Optimization, Jobseeker Hints & Tips, job search Guidance

Table of contents

LinkedIn Profile Optimization is the foundation of all other LinkedIn activity on the platform as a jobseeker. It is often the case that, at the top of a CV, one will place their LinkedIn Profile URL — but the actual profile itself can typically be treated as the poor relation of such.

In truth, the LinkedIn Profile should command the respect that it deserves — such that it should be used as an adept personal branding space — and one to increase the chance of success with online applications for you.

We are about to explore the 6 key areas for improvement and focus. But first, before you do anything else, make sure to customize your LinkedIn Profile URL (in order to remove those default random numbers at the end of such). You will need to be on a desktop for this — and the option can be found in the top right-hand-corner of your LinkedIn Profile.

With that now in place, we are ready to embark upon your full LinkedIn Profile Optimization:

LinkedIn Profile Optimization

(1.) LinkedIn Banner and Headshot

Both of these components are vital parts of the “shop window” on the LinkedIn Profile — ones that instantly determine whether the reader wishes to enter the rest of the metaphorical “shop” thereafter. Your personal brand can be immediately established or lost here in a moment. In the first instance, for both of these elements, it is a must for them to actually be present — and the banner should not be a template (but rather a space upon which to articulate your particular value and experience). The headshot should be professional in nature, not part of a group, with a neutral background, and able to express the persona relevant for the proposed role.

Source: Tookapic (Pexels)

(2.) LinkedIn Profile Headline

Here, with a maximum of 220 characters to play with, there are a couple of important factors to consider. It is commonplace for it not to be appreciated that SEO keywords are vital here — in order to determine the number of search appearances. At the same time, each and every time that you comment on a LinkedIn Post, the first part of the headline shall be visible to the reader — and therefore it is vital to ensure that this can act as an enticement for them to click through onto the rest of the profile.

Source: Stan Ciuc (Canva Pro)

(3.) Featured Section

We often hear it said here at Dream Job CV that, as a jobseeker, you do not feel the need to create (and therefore feature) LinkedIn Content. This, however, is to underestimate the power of this facet for your personal brand — and therefore the capacity to showcase your value-added potential to the audience. Spotted industry trends and insights, therefore, can be conveyed to the HR manager long before the formal interview process.

You can even start to own the narrative around potential issues of concern in your CV — for example, a change of industry or employment gap. Once you have built up a following and audience for this work, it will be clear to the HR manager that people are already benefiting from your value-added potential and insights on LinkedIn.

Source: Natee Meepian (Canva Pro)

(4.) About Section

For this part of the LinkedIn Profile, with a maximum of 2600 characters to play with, we are considering the main part of the profile where your value-added potential and USP in the labour market can be articulated. SEO keyword skills remain of importance for search results — but should be complemented with examples of pertinent past achievements, and the transferability to the new industry and role of choice.

At the same time, the HR manager or recruiter does not wish to be confronted with dense, solid black text — and therefore it is very important to consider how to present the information in the best possible manner from a copywriting point of view. In that sense, you need to be using bullet pointed lists, and breaking up the text as far as possible. YayText is a fantastic free online tool for producing bold and italic sub-headings in the About Section (but should be used sparingly when it comes to those all important SEO keywords — due to the interference with search engine visibility from such).

Source: Gustavo Frazao (Canva Pro)

(5.) Experience Section

Many of the factors pertaining to the About Section stand here as well — and, with the chance to also highlight LinkedIn Content, the same is true with respect to the knowledge from the Featured Section. But, at the same time, it is worth mentioning a need to be selective with the number of entries offered here. The blunt truth is that the HR manager is only going to consume the material on the most recent experiences (certainly no longer ago than a decade prior to the present day). Focus attention and the amount of detail on the most recent entries, therefore, and consider removing altogether older entries beyond 10 years ago (as well as entries that might not be relevant for the target market).

Often overlooked, however, is also the need to ensure that you have some kind of current work experience entry on your LinkedIn Profile — in order to maintain visibility with the search engine. In other words, as well as past experiences, if you are currently out of work, create a current entry with information on the field and role being pursued at the moment — the SEO keywords from such are vital for ensuring that your online presence does not disappear into the background.

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(6.) Endorsement Clicks & Recommendations

It should be self-evident that, if a HR manager is confronted with a number of high-end written recommendations about your past performance and value-added input, then they will have more confidence in your potential transferability to the new role wished for. Keep these fresh and up-to-date — and do not be afraid to quote elements of them in the About and Experience Sections as well.

What is often less clear to jobseekers, however, is the need to maintain a high number and strength of a range of endorsement clicks. Whilst it is true that a written recommendation can express a lot more detail on a candidate, the endorsement clicks can serve as a more immediate indication of establishment within a field — and, in fact, are a strong determinant of the number of search appearances that you will receive as well. In other words, make sure that you have a strong haul of endorsement clicks for the keyword skills that you would particularly wish to appear for hereafter.

Source: Stevanovic Igor (Canva Pro)

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In sum, the process of LinkedIn Profile Optimization is a multi-faceted one — with these 6 key pillars being of vital necessity for success with such. Once completed, however, not only will it prove to be an adept extension upon your CV — but it will also garner search results and inbound enquiries on LinkedIn in its own right.

Combined with an ATS-optimized CV, the correct and sustainable approach to LinkedIn Networking, and strong Interview Preparation, the comprehensive framework for your dream job search will be in place hereafter!

Author: Mathew Warboys

Co-Founder at Dream Job CV

Dream Job Hub LinkedIn Profile

CEO at The CEO Hub