In the competitive job market, standing out to recruiters on LinkedIn is crucial. We’ve gathered insights from executive recruiters and CEOs, among other professionals, to bring you 23 key elements that can make your profile shine. From avoiding brevity and updating regularly to making your headline an elevator pitch, discover what these experts say should not be missed on your LinkedIn profile.

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1. Avoid brevity and update regularly

Like many recruiters, I review a potential candidate’s LinkedIn profile. The most egregious error I recognize with many is brevity. That is, regardless of their tenure, they provide just a barebones amount of information on their profiles. Meaning, they only include a brief explanation of themselves and their career in the “About” section. In addition, in the “Experience” section, many contain nothing more than their companies, the job titles, and the years of employment at the company.

As a veteran recruiter, I utilize LinkedIn to identify potential executives for roles I have been retained to fill by my client partners. If I am not able to ascertain enough information from the LinkedIn profile, I often pass on them without giving them as much as a courtesy phone screening. 

In closing, one must remember: LinkedIn is just one of many networking tools available. For it to be most effective, it requires sharpening from time to time. As is true with one’s resume, I often advise candidates to make it a routine practice to update their LinkedIn profile at a minimum quarterly. In doing so, it will provide others (i.e., recruiters) the most current and pertinent information that may potentially help you land your next job.

Jamie McCann, Executive Recruiter, 3AM Marketing Services

Read More: 5 Ways Recruiters Find Candidates

2. Highlight career achievements in your About section

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for those who can bring immediate results, and by summarizing your career success in an early section of your LinkedIn profile, you significantly increase your chance of catching their eye.

Mike Basso, Founder & CEO, salestalent.com

The best way to catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers is to utilize the LinkedIn “About” section to demonstrate your top five to seven career achievements. In bullet-point format, list your significant achievements or top impacts you’ve had on your employers. 

Finish the “About” section by pasting one or two of the best LinkedIn recommendations you have received, preferably from a former boss.

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for those who can bring immediate results, and by summarizing your career success in an early section of your LinkedIn profile, you significantly increase your chance of catching their eye.

Mike Basso, Founder & CEO, salestalent.com

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3. Activate the ‘Open to Work’ badge

To start, you want to make sure that your “Open to Work” badge is active. This increases visibility for recruiters in targeted searches via LinkedIn’s recruiter tool. The headline and summary sections are important as well. It’s no secret that LinkedIn is very crowded. Be sure to add a human touch to your summary section. Strong conversation starters significantly increase your chances in the early stages.

Nick Lawless, Account Executive, Head Hunters RPO

4. Write a keyword-rich headline

One crucial element jobseekers should include on their LinkedIn profile to catch the eye of recruiters or hiring managers is a well-crafted, keyword-rich headline. This headline should succinctly convey your professional identity, key skills, and the value you bring to potential employers. For example, instead of just stating “Software Developer,” you could say “Experienced Software Developer | Specializing in AI & Machine Learning | Python & Java Expert.”

LinkedIn profile headline example.

Tips for an outstanding LinkedIn profile:

  • Professional Photo: Use a high-quality, professional-looking headshot.
  • Compelling Summary: Write a clear, engaging summary that highlights your experience, skills, and career goals.
  • Detailed Experience: List your relevant job experiences with bullet points showcasing achievements and responsibilities.
  • Skills and Endorsements: Add key skills and seek endorsements from colleagues and clients.
  • Recommendations: Request and display recommendations from supervisors, peers, or clients.

Jack Wilson, Recruiter, DBS Check Online

Read more: 28 LinkedIn Profile Tips to Supercharge Your Job Opportunities

5. Use a results-oriented headline

My top recommendation for job seekers looking to catch the eye of recruiters or hiring managers on LinkedIn is to craft a compelling and results-oriented headline.

Why your headline is crucial:

  1. Your headline is one of the first things people see when they visit your profile. It appears right below your name and is visible in search results, making it a key element for making a strong first impression.
  1. LinkedIn’s search algorithm prioritizes keywords found in the headline. Using relevant industry-specific keywords can improve your visibility in recruiter searches.
  1. A well-crafted headline quickly conveys your professional identity, key skills, and the value you bring to potential employers.

How to write an effective headline:

  1. Be Specific and Descriptive: Clearly state your job title and key skills. Instead of just saying “Software Developer,” opt for “Full-Stack Software Developer Specializing in JavaScript and Python.”
  1. Highlight Achievements or Value: Include a brief mention of your key accomplishments or the impact you’ve made in your field. For example, “Award-Winning Marketing Manager | Proven Track Record in Boosting Brand Engagement by 30%.”
  1. Use Relevant Keywords: Think about what recruiters in your industry are searching for. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your headline.
  1. Show Your Unique Selling Point (USP): What sets you apart from others in your field? Whether it’s a certification, unique expertise, or a significant project you led, make sure it’s highlighted.

Example headline formulas:

[Job Title] | [Specialization/Key Skills] | [Notable Achievement/Value Proposition]

Example: “Data Scientist | Machine Learning & AI Expert | 5+ Years Experience Driving Predictive Analytics”

[Job Title] | [Industry/Field] | [Unique Selling Point]

Example: “Digital Marketing Strategist | E-commerce & SEO Specialist | Certified Google Analytics Professional”

[Current Role] | [Key Skills/Expertise] | [Impact/Achievement]

Example: “Senior Financial Analyst | Budgeting & Forecasting | Improved Financial Reporting Efficiency by 25%”

Regularly update your headline to reflect new skills, experiences, and career achievements. This keeps your profile dynamic and ensures that recruiters and hiring managers always see the most current and relevant information about you. It’s also crucial to include quantifiable achievements and metrics, as these provide clear evidence of your impact and effectiveness in your roles.

Margaret Buj, Interview Coach and Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner, Mixmax

Read more: How to Write a LinkedIn Headline (with 20+ Examples)

6. Make your summary compelling

One essential element of the LinkedIn profile that a job seeker needs to capture real attention from the recruiter or hiring manager is a compelling and well-crafted summary. Many times, this is the first thing recruiters read—it gives them a snapshot of your professional identity. 

Add some relevant keywords to your field so that your profile will come up when someone searches for them. For example, if you are a marketing professional, you should use such words as “digital marketing,” “SEO,” or “content strategy.”

Also, quantify your achievements with some exact metrics, such as “increased sales by 20%,” or “managed a team of 15.” It shows not only the achievement but also the proof of it. 

Further elaboration of the profiles would involve a professional headshot, a background image somehow connected to your field, and the addition of a headline that goes beyond a job title in order to convey your brand. And let it be personal, real, so you stand out from among the rest of the candidates, leaving a striking impression in the minds of the probable employers.

Lucas Botzen, HR Expert & CEO, Rivermate

Read more: How to Write a LinkedIn Summary (With 21 Examples)

7. Use a professional profile photo

I believe having a professional photo is the first step in catching the eye of recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn. 

The job seeker’s photo is the very first thing a recruiter or hiring manager will see when they are searching for profiles that meet their requirements.

A LinkedIn profile picture of a man in a brown shirt against a blurred nature background.

If the job seeker has chosen to limit those who can view their profile photo to only first-degree connections, they risk their profile being overlooked. The recruiter or hiring manager’s eyes will naturally be drawn to those with a photo, not a LinkedIn “egg.”

It’s important for the job seeker to use a professional photo, not just any old photo they would use on other social media. 

There are debates over what kind of photo can give a good impression, but I would say the key is for the photo to be clear and show the job seeker’s whole face. Additionally, the job seeker should try their best to look friendly and approachable, and be wearing something that looks professional but not like they are trying too hard. The key is for the job seeker to look like themselves.

Matt Collingwood, Managing Director & Founder, VIQU

Read more: 10 Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile Picture (For Free!)

8. Showcase problem-solving in your About section

“Use the “About” section to highlight the problems that you have solved and the results that you have achieved in your previous roles.”

Melissa Cohen, Founder, MBC Consulting Solutions, LLC

Too many people use their “About” section on LinkedIn to simply recite their resume. This is a huge mistake. For job seekers, use the “About” section to highlight the problems that you have solved and the results that you have achieved in your previous roles.

This is the place to speak in KPIs: dollars saved, timelines shortened, revenue generated.

Your resume already exists as a separate document, as well as in your “Experience” section. Most recruiters spend just a few seconds on a LinkedIn profile before deciding if they want to invest their time to look closer. Make them decide that they do, by having your achievements stand out clearly in the “About” section. LinkedIn has moved this up higher on your profile and it is key real estate for catching attention in a positive way.

Melissa Cohen, Founder, MBC Consulting Solutions, LLC

Read more: How to Create a LinkedIn Profile Recruiters Actually Read

At MyTurn, we’ve seen countless profiles, and the standout element is a compelling “Featured” section. By showcasing a well-curated mix of your best projects, endorsements, and media mentions, you provide a visual and dynamic snapshot of your professional journey. 

This not only highlights your achievements but also demonstrates your proactive engagement with your industry. For job seekers, my advice is to leverage this space to tell your unique story in a visually engaging way. This approach has consistently proven to attract more interest from recruiters and hiring managers.

Amit Doshi, Founder & CEO, MyTurn

10. Provide writing samples (not just for writers!)

Too often, recruiters tell me candidates cannot write well. Nip that concern in the bud. Stand out. Add a writing sample that shows you can synthesize complex concepts into clearly presented language to persuade the reader to see your perspective. 

For college students, that can be a paper you wrote that the professor thought was exemplary. 

For mid-careerists, show an article, memo, or white paper, but be sure there is no sensitive material (or names!) in it. 

For more senior executives, showing finesse in other areas is important: show a video of a speech you delivered or a panel discussion you served on. 

Be sure to include the context of the writing piece, so the recruiter and hiring manager further understand the background and can appreciate the quality the attachment demonstrates. 

Of course, be sure your LinkedIn profile reflects that you can write well about yourself, too!

Marc W.  Halpert, LinkedIn Coach, Trainer, Marketing Consultant, connect2collaborate.com

11. Spotlight project highlights

“A well-crafted ‘Project Highlights’ section can make your profile more engaging.”

Phil McParlane, Founder & CEO, 4DayWeekJobs

What I suggest is adding a “Project Highlights” section to your LinkedIn profile. This unique feature can spotlight specific projects you’ve worked on, detailing your role, the skills you used, and the results achieved. It gives recruiters a clear view of your practical experience and problem-solving skills.

Showcasing projects can really set you apart by demonstrating your hands-on expertise. For example, if you led a team to develop a new software feature, mention the challenges you faced, how you tackled them, and the positive impact on the company. This not only highlights your technical skills but also your leadership and strategic thinking.

A well-crafted “Project Highlights” section can make your profile more engaging. It provides concrete examples of your work, making it easier for hiring managers to see your potential contributions to their team. This approach can significantly boost your profile’s appeal.

Phil McParlane, Founder & CEO, 4DayWeekJobs

12. Feature industry experience

One key element jobseekers should include on their LinkedIn profile to catch the eye of recruiters or hiring managers is a highlighted section on specific industry experience. Many organizations, especially those in specialized fields like healthcare, seek candidates with industry-specific knowledge due to the steep learning curve associated with these sectors.

For example, if you are a marketer with experience in the healthcare industry, make sure to prominently feature this in your LinkedIn profile summary and job descriptions. Detail the specific projects, campaigns, or initiatives you managed, emphasizing your understanding of industry regulations, audience nuances, and unique market dynamics. 

This specialized experience not only showcases your expertise but also positions you as a highly desirable candidate for roles within that industry, giving you a significant boost in your job search. Highlighting your industry-specific experience demonstrates to recruiters that you have the necessary background and can seamlessly integrate into their organization, making you a more attractive prospect.

Michael Melen, Co-Founder, SmartSites

13. Tell your professional narrative

Job seekers can shape their professional narrative by including a compelling “About” section with storytelling and keywords for their desired jobs. This section, often overlooked, is a powerful tool that allows you to explain who you are, what you do, and what you aspire to do next. Instead of recounting your past experiences, use the 2,600 characters in the “About” section to articulate your future goals and the value you bring to a company.

When you attract a recruiter to your profile, they will likely check your professional background first, then read your “About” section to learn more about you.

Before you even meet the recruiter and hiring manager for a job interview, your “About” section can introduce them to who you are and what you want. This is not the place for your life story or a detailed account of every job you’ve had. Instead, be specific and direct, focusing on your future aspirations, the steps you’re taking to achieve them, and the unique value you can bring to a company.

Your “About” section could be the reason a recruiter decides to contact you. This is especially true if you’re transitioning to a new career. By sharing your story and your “why,” you can help the recruiter and hiring manager understand your journey, giving you a strategic advantage in the job search process.

Focus on telling a story that “connects the dots” between your past and future, and be sure to include keywords relevant to the jobs you’re targeting. For instance, if you’re a talent acquisition professional, include words like negotiation, collaboration, sourcing, and technical skills such as LinkedIn Recruiter. You could start with a brief introduction about your current role, then transition to a key achievement that demonstrates your skills, and finally, talk about your future goals and how they align with the role you’re targeting.

Here are some other items you could add to your “About” section: professional background, expertise, essential skills, notable achievements, how you can add value to the employer, why you want to change careers (and what you are doing to achieve that). Most importantly, what are your “why” and your goals? 

End your story with a call to action. For instance, you could say, “Need someone to source candidates for your team? I’d love to help! Send me a message on LinkedIn or email me at [youremail@example.com].” A well-crafted CTA can prompt the recruiter to reach out to you, increasing your chances of getting noticed.

Ana Goehner, Career Well-Being Strategist, Digital Butterfly Communications, LLC

14. Communicate your value proposition

As a remote tech hiring expert, I’ve reviewed countless LinkedIn profiles, and there’s one element that consistently stands out to me: clear and concise communication of your value proposition.

You need to understand that recruiters and hiring managers are scanning dozens, sometimes hundreds, of profiles in a short time. You need to grab their attention quickly and tell them why you’re the ideal candidate.

So, instead of just listing your responsibilities at past jobs, showcase the concrete results you achieved. Did you increase website traffic by 20%? Streamlined a process that saved the company X hours per week? Have you spearheaded a social media campaign that resulted in a 30% rise in new customers within six months?

Use numbers and data whenever possible to showcase the impact your work had.

Through numbers, you should focus on explaining how you tackled a challenge, what approach you took, and the positive outcome. This showcases your problem-solving skills, initiative, and ability to deliver.

Important tip: it doesn’t have to be complex, and you should only highlight the results that directly tie to the types of roles you’re targeting.

Mike Sokirka, Co-Founder and Remote Tech Hiring Expert, Index

15. Write a persuasive summary

To catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn, job seekers should focus on crafting a compelling and keyword-rich summary. Think of this summary as your pitch—it’s your chance to shine and show what makes you unique. Start by highlighting your key strengths and professional achievements, and make sure to include specific examples of the impact you’ve made in your previous roles. 

Use industry-specific keywords to ensure your profile pops up in relevant searches. This isn’t just about listing your skills; it’s about telling your story in a way that’s engaging and personable. By sharing a bit about your personality and work ethic, you create a well-rounded picture of who you are as a professional. A well-written summary not only grabs attention but also encourages recruiters to explore the rest of your profile. So, make it count!

Vanessa Nalus, Relationship Manager, Practice Aptitude Tests

16. Display recommendations

Many job seekers do not focus on this section, but recommendations are vital to your brand. You can talk about who you are and what you have done, but having the social proof to back it up reduces the risk you would present as a new hire. Hiring teams are always interested in reducing risk.

Shelley Piedmont, Founder and Head Career Coach, Career GPS, LLC

Read more: How to Recommend Someone on LinkedIn (and How to Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation)

17. Quantify achievements

Data! A list of job duties is fine, but if you compare these two statements, which would compel you to speak with a candidate?

  1. I answer phones, route calls, and greet visitors while making travel arrangements and keeping office supplies well-stocked.
  2. I found a new travel vendor that saved the company $200,000 per year in travel costs and negotiated our contract with our office supply vendor to deliver for free, saving $50,000 in costs per year.

Number two uses data to ground their experience and shares the impact of their work. It’s a much more compelling way to tell your employment story.

Steph McDonald, Senior Technical Recruiter, HubSpot

18. Focus on their needs

When I read LinkedIn profiles, the word that I see too much is “I.”

Members are too focused on talking about themselves rather than focusing on how they can help others, in this case, the recruiters or hiring managers.

Consider writing your LinkedIn profile as if it were a love letter to the person you want to notice you. Talk about what you can do for them and their business. When working with career coaching clients, I encourage them to think RIGIS—in other words, where have you previously helped employers to Reduce, Improve, Grow, Increase, or Save in their business.

Share your success stories.

If you can demonstrate that you have delivered on the types of things the hiring manager is looking for, you are highly likely to do it again—for them.

Overall, think about what THEY are looking for and design your profile to match.

Jane Ferré, Talent Management Strategist, Jane Ferré Coaching

19. Highlight top skills

One key element job seekers should include on their LinkedIn profile to catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers is the “Top Skills” section, integrated into the “About” section. Restricted to only five skills, identify the most valuable skills you offer a new organization and use those. Bonus points for verifying your profile.

Adriana Cowdin, Executive Career Coach & CEO, Be Bold Coaching, LLC

20. Validate your achievements

Validation of any quantitative or qualitative information, i.e., KPIs, quotas you crushed for sales, and/or recruiting (save your reports, post your numbers relative to your quota—those reports will open all the doors for you when and if you decide to look for a different sales/recruiting role). Also, things like awards you received, patents in your name, links to public-facing work for software/web developers. 

ALWAYS get recommendations from anyone you work with or for; peers’ recommendations are good indicators of culture, supervisors’ recommendations are good indicators of work ethic/overall skill level, and definitely get your supervisor to write you good LinkedIn recommendations when they are happy with you. It will save time on reference checks for future jobs and will ensure that they don’t burn you if things change.

Matthew Jones, Senior Technical Recruiter/Recruiting Manager, Padilla Talent

21. Use quantifiable metrics

One key element for creating a more compelling LinkedIn profile is to use specific, quantifiable metrics in the headline, “About” section, and “Experience” descriptions, rather than just listing standard job titles and responsibilities.

As an HR professional, I’ve noticed that candidates who apply this comprehensive approach stand out significantly. For example, rather than stating “Marketing Manager,” a job seeker could write, “Marketing Manager | Increased lead generation by 35% through innovative, data-driven campaigns.” Similarly, in the “About” section, they can highlight, “Proven track record in boosting customer engagement by 50% through targeted content strategies.”

This clear strategy helps their profile see an increase in connection requests and a boost in recruiter engagement.

Additionally, including relevant links to work samples or presentations can enhance credibility and showcase real-world results.

Bonus tip: following the same quantifiable style across all sections will help job seekers effectively convey the full scope of their impact and expertise to hiring managers.

Yulia Pavlova, HR Professional, Key Partnerships Manager, aqua cloud

22. Be active and authentic

LinkedIn is an amazing platform for job seekers, but unfortunately, many forget that this is a social media platform as well, not just a place to look for a new job. I personally know many recruiters who like to go through their candidates’ profiles. 

Because for certain roles, like marketing, business development, sales, etc., a lack of presence will indicate you don’t really understand how your customers interact with social media and build trust online. After all, recruiters want to see that you actually know how to communicate with different audiences in different circumstances. But most importantly, they want to see your authenticity.

So be active on LinkedIn, publish meaningful posts, comment, and like other users’ posts. Show your expertise and share useful tips and information to attract the attention of employers. If you make interesting and informative posts at least once a week, you’ll be among the top active users. And this means that LinkedIn itself will invite a wider audience to follow your profile, which will help increase your chances of getting noticed.

Also, don’t limit yourself to a professional topic. From time to time, publish posts about your personal life. They can give great coverage and evoke emotions because people will see you not only as a professional but also as an individual.

Susan Andrews, HR Consultant, KIS Finance

23. Make your headline an elevator pitch

If you’re a beginner job seeker, do this one thing that always works for me: stop writing “ex-job this” or “ex-job that” in your headline. Instead, make it your elevator pitch by highlighting your skills, industry, and what you bring to the table. 

For example, “Marketing Specialist | Driving 10x Growth Through Digital Strategies for B2C Companies.” 

This approach immediately showcases your value and expertise, making you stand out to potential employers. 

Also, go crazy with industry-specific keywords related to the role you want to apply for (but not too hard) in the heading. The headline is the first thing recruiters see, and if you’re not selling yourself there, you’re losing the opportunity. So make it concise, relevant, and impactful to create a strong first impression.

Sagarika Biswas, Assistant Manager – Content, Reliance Retail

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Sydney Myers

Hello! I'm the Content Manager here at Jobscan. I help our team of writers and experts publish articles and resources that help job seekers create the perfect resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile so that their job search is easier and faster. I also host Jobscan's podcast, The Standout Jobseeker. Each episode features an interview with a job search expert. I've interviewed recruiters, career coaches, and authors, and they've shared their experience on what it takes to standout and get a job.

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