5 Easy Ways on How To Make Your Linkedin Profile Standout

No matter what stage of the job-search process you’re in, you’ll always need a LinkedIn profile that stands out.

With more than 600 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is easily the largest professional network on the planet.  Your LinkedIn profile communicates who you are. It’s a way to tell your story, get heard, and be discovered.

But what makes a great profile? How do you break through the crowd to get noticed by recruiters, peers, and others who will connect you to the opportunities you want?  A compelling profile starts with better expressing the amazing individual you are: who you are and why you are unique. 

1. Speak To Your Target Audience

The first step is to define who your key audience is. Then craft a story focused on your contributions, your career journey, and the values that are important to you—all tailored to the right audience. For example, are your audience industry peers, customers, or executives? Think about how you’d tailor your content differently for each and customize. 

Use the headline (the domain immediately below your name at the top of your LinkedIn profile) as an opportunity to describe yourself.

Offer the reader a glimpse of your background and skills. Use the headline to bridge the gap and tell the reader where you currently are and where you want to go.

2. Write An Eye Catching Headline

By default, your current job title will show as your headline. That is not what you want. This heavily searched section should focus on what you do. State the work title you qualify for, do now, or want. Be specific using standard titles that are typically found on a job search site. You can highlight the field you are interested in, plus any specialties or key certifications that you possess.

3. Lean Into Your Story With A Strong “Summary”

Some of my clients ask me where they should invest their time when it comes to improving their LinkedIn profiles. My answer is always to focus on the “Summary” section. This is the first section everyone will see, and you want it to catch people’s attention. Use this space to make a bold first impression and draw others into your story.

Explain how you’re different by showcasing your key skills, and how you want to impact, contribute, and add value. Focus not only on what you do, but also why it matters and your “superpowers” (i.e. key strengths that differentiate you.) To really stand out, consider adding a personal mission statement or leadership purpose statement. This will help others get to know the compass that guides you in your life and career.

4. Turn on “Open to new job opportunities”

If you are open to new roles, your manager doesn’t have to know but recruiters can! When a relevant opportunity pops up recruiters can now get in touch with you.

Click on the ‘Me’ tab > click on ‘Add profile section’

Underneath the ‘Intro’ tab, it says ‘Looking for a new job’. Click here, and fill out your desired job titles and job location. You can also select whether you’re open to remote work, add your start dates and job types (full-time, contract or part-time).

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, you can now choose who sees that you’re open to hearing about new roles. You can either select ‘Just recruiters’ (so no one from your company will know you’re job searching) or you can select ‘All LinkedIn members’, which will add a green ‘Open for work’ badge on your profile picture.

5. Credibility In Telling Your Story

Credibility is essential to telling your story on LinkedIn. Because what’s a story if no one can back up its claims?

Enter the LinkedIn Recommendations section. A recommendation is how your community can validate your professional story by writing about their experience working with you.

Request recommendations from a diverse group of people you’ve collaborated with across different roles, and who can speak to your specific work experience, skills, and major achievements. 

When asking executives or senior leaders for a recommendation, consider writing a first draft of  the recommendation for them as a starting point and let them edit to fit their voice and tone. By giving them a starting point, you’ll help them narrow their focus on what you would like them to say and save them time.

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