Tips to Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is one of the most powerful tools for building your professional brand and landing new opportunities. It is important to ensure it is polished, professional, and reflective of your skills and career goals. Here are nine key tips to help you optimise your LinkedIn profile and stand out to recruiters and employers. 

1. Craft a Clear and Engaging Headline 

Your LinkedIn headline is one of the first things people see, so it’s important to make it count. Instead of simply listing your job title, use your headline to clearly communicate what you do and what makes you unique. 

Example: 

• Instead of: “Marketing Specialist” 

• Better: “Marketing Specialist | Digital Content Creator | SEO Expert” 

This makes it easier for others to quickly understand your professional identity and what you bring to the table. Aim to make your headline concise yet impactful, showcasing the key areas of your expertise and what sets you apart from others in your industry. 

2. Write an Authentic and Strong Summary 

Your summary is a vital part of your LinkedIn profile - it’s where you can tell your professional story, highlight your skills, and share your career goals. Make it engaging and personalised, yet professional. Aim for around 3-4 well-written paragraphs. 

Include: 

• Who You Are: Introduce yourself and your current role. 

• Key Achievements: Share a few of your major accomplishments and experiences. 

• What Drives You: Talk about your professional aspirations and what excites you about your work. 

  
  

Example: 

“Experienced marketing professional with over 6 years in digital campaigns and content creation. Skilled in SEO, social media strategy, and brand growth. Passionate about driving audience engagement and crafting strategies that generate measurable results.” 

This helps recruiters, employers, and potential connections quickly get a sense of your skills, experience, and career ambitions. 

3. Choose a Professional Profile Picture 

Your LinkedIn profile picture creates the first impression, so make sure it looks professional and approachable. 

• Use a clean, well-lit headshot with a neutral background. 

• Dress appropriately for your industry. 

Tip: Avoid overly casual or informal photos, like those taken at social gatherings or during vacations. 

4. Highlight Your Skills 

Your skills section is a key part of your LinkedIn profile that helps showcase your expertise. Be strategic in listing your skills—focus on those that are most relevant to your job role and industry. 

• Include a mix of both hard (technical) and soft (personal) skills. 

• Make sure your skills are accurate and up to date. 

Tip: Ask colleagues or mentors to endorse you for the skills you list, which can give your profile additional credibility. 

5. Update Your Experience Section Regularly 

Your experience section provides insight into your career journey. Use it to clearly detail your roles, responsibilities, and key accomplishments. 

• Start with your current or most recent role and work backwards in chronological order. 

• Use bullet points to clearly outline your achievements and impact in each position. 

  
  

Example: 

“Marketing Coordinator | ABC Company | Jan 2019 – Present 

• Led digital marketing campaigns that boosted brand engagement by 40% over 12 months. 

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop content that drove a 25% increase in sales conversions. 

• Managed email marketing strategies, which resulted in a 20% growth in email subscribers.” 

This section helps recruiters quickly assess your qualifications and understand what you’ve accomplished in your past roles. 

6. Engage in Networking 

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for building professional relationships. Take the time to network with others in your industry. 

• Reach out to past colleagues and managers. 

• Join groups that are relevant to your profession, where you can share insights and participate in discussions. 

• Send personalised connection requests instead of generic ones. 

Tip: Be proactive in engaging with others—comment on posts, join conversations, and share relevant content. This shows your active involvement in your field and helps build meaningful connections. 

7. Use Keywords to Improve Searchability 

LinkedIn is a search-driven platform, so it’s important to include relevant keywords in your profile. Use keywords that match the job titles, skills, and industries you’re targeting. 

• Think about the words recruiters are likely to search for when looking for someone like you. 

• Incorporate these keywords naturally into your headline, summary, and experience sections. 

Tip: Regularly update your profile with new skills and experiences that align with current trends in your industry. 

8. Endorsements and Recommendations 

Endorsements and recommendations help validate your skills and give credibility to your profile. Endorsements are simple, while recommendations are more detailed. 

• Endorsements: Ask colleagues or managers to endorse you for specific skills you have listed. 

• Recommendations: Reach out to past colleagues or supervisors and kindly ask them to write a recommendation for you. 

Tip: Endorse others first—it encourages them to return the favour, and recommendations add depth to your profile. 

9. Stay Active and Consistent 

A LinkedIn profile isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it kind of thing. To keep your profile relevant, make sure you stay active. 

• Post relevant content a few times a week—articles, insights, or tips that show your expertise. 

• Share your experiences and engage with others’ posts. 

Tip: Consistency is key—whether it’s by updating your experience, sharing content, or commenting on discussions, staying active helps maintain your presence. 

By following these essential tips, you’ll create a LinkedIn profile that not only looks polished but also positions you as a valuable and approachable professional in your industry. A well-optimised profile can open doors to exciting job opportunities, connect you with the right people, and help you grow your career. 

Contact Adrienna, your Perth Resume Writing Specialist, at 0423 686 904 or email hello@adriennasresumes.com. We serve clients across Australia and are here to help you optimise your LinkedIn profile. Together, we can enhance your job applications and assist you in taking the next step towards your dream job!