6 Strategies on Optimising Your LinkedIn Profile

Optimising your LinkedIn profile:

In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has become more than just a platform for professional networking; it’s a powerful tool for personal branding. But, with millions of users posting content daily, how do you stand out from the crowd?

When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? Not just your job title, but all the other things hiring managers and recruiters look out for! ENI has put together just six key strategies on optimising your LinkedIn profile and ensure that the right people find you.

1. The Visuals

Your profile photo and banner/background image are the first things people notice. Ensuring these are eye-catching and professional can significantly impact your profile. A recent, clear headshot where your face takes up around 60% of the frame is recommended (long distance shots don’t stand out). A friendly smile and simple background can help. Similarly, your banner photo should either reflect your company branding or provide a snapshot of your expertise and experience.

Why it helps:

• A professional profile photo establishes credibility, familiarity and trust.
• Eye-catching visuals grab attention and set the tone for your profile.
• Consistent branding enhances recognition and reinforces your professional image.

2. Headline 

Your headline is more than just a job title; it’s your personal advertisement. This should highlight what you do, and why others should connect with you. Avoid generic titles and instead focus on demonstrating your unique value proposition. Using keywords relevant to your industry will increase your search appearance.

Some examples:

“Recruitment Consultant” – “I help businesses connect with & hire insight professionals of all levels across the UK & internationally”

“Analytics Manager” – “Analytics expert in using data to drive insights and business decisions”

“Research Manager” – “Strategic Research Manager – Empowering Innovation through Data-Driven Insights”

Why it helps:

• It immediately communicates your expertise and value.
• Keywords increase the likelihood of appearing in relevant searches.
• Differentiating yourself from others in your field can attract the right opportunities.

3. About 

Rather than listing your skills, use the About section to tell a story. Share your passions and what makes you tick, describe your current role in simple terms, highlight past successes and what lead you there, and show people some personality – even sharing something on your passions outside of work. Including relevant keywords here can also help improve your profile’s visibility in recruiter searches.

Why it helps:

• Personal stories humanise your profile, making you more relatable – people buy from people!
• Keywords help recruiters and hiring managers find you using Boolean or skills searches.
• Providing context helps others understand your journey so far.

4. Skills 

Be selective and only include skills that align with your experience. Ask for endorsements from colleagues to validate skills listed. This not only demonstrates credibility, but also improves your chances of appearing in recruiter searches based on specific skills.

Why it helps:

• Skills endorsements validate your expertise and credibility.
• Relevant skills increase the likelihood of matching you with job opportunities, especially niche skills required to do the role. Having these listed helps to narrow down the search and increases the chances of your profile listing.
• LinkedIn’s search algorithm prioritises profiles with endorsed skills.

5. Featured Posts

Regularly updating your featured posts section with relevant content can demonstrate your expertise and provides insights to profile visitors, including senior leaders in your industry. It shows you know what you’re talking about, but also, that you’re interested in the goings on of the industry. It also means people won’t need to navigate through your activity feed to spot the above.

Why it helps:

• Featured posts showcase your thought leadership and industry knowledge.
• Directly displaying content increases engagement.
• Relevant posts can attract like-minded professionals and potential opportunities.

6. Build your network

Actively engaging with your network through connections, likes, and comments is essential for expanding your reach on LinkedIn. Follow the 20/10/5 rule daily: aim for 20 new connections, 10 likes, and 5 comments that add value – this means comments that will spark conversations, raise questions or answer them. Connecting with people at all levels and engaging with their content can help to build meaningful relationships and open doors to new opportunities.

Why it helps:

• Growing your network increases visibility and exposure to new connections.
• Engaging with others demonstrates interest in your industry.
• Building relationships with senior leaders can lead to valuable opportunities and mentorship.

Get creative and give your profile the update it needs. If you’re actively looking for a role or would like to explore opportunities, check out our latest vacancies page here, or send your CV to hello@elizabethnorman.com and someone will be in touch should a relevant role come up.