Effective Ways To Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile

Did you know that most recruiters prefer not to advertise roles unless they have to? Advertising is time-consuming, expensive, and often attracts the wrong applicants. From the insider perspective of a professional LinkedIn profile writer, here is how to use your profile to get head-hunted and put yourself in front of employers before a job ad even appears.

Recruiters find candidates in two ways: referrals and head-hunting. The best way to get head-hunted is through a search-optimised, clear, and compelling LinkedIn profile that quickly says hire me. Strong LinkedIn profile writing requires smart use of every feature, backed by clean content and powerful keywords. Below are the most valuable ways to stand out.

1. Optimise Your Headline

Your headline is the most important part of your LinkedIn profile. This 240-character line under your name heavily influences whether your profile is clicked in a search. Include your target job titles, specialisations, and availability. Keep it simple. Save the poetic language for the marketers.

2. Search Optimise Relevant Keywords

There is a simple formula every LinkedIn profile writer knows. Repeat the keywords that a recruiter would type into LinkedIn when searching for your target role. The more relevant keywords you include, the more visible you become, as long as you do not overdo it.

To work out your keywords, gather job ads you are interested in and think about the basic search terms a recruiter would use. Their search will always include the job title, plus industry words, technical skills, and top soft skills.

Example keyword searches

• Project Manager residential construction apartments
• Digital Marketing SEO analytics retail ecommerce
• Accountant CPA tax BAS manufacturing

3. Leverage Your Most Valuable Real Estate

The quickest way to improve your search rankings is by placing your top keywords in the most powerful sections of your profile. Although LinkedIn does not publicly confirm it, industry experts widely agree that the strongest keyword areas, in order, are:

• Headline
• About section
• Job titles in your Experience section
• Experience descriptions

4. Show Discretion

Be careful not to reveal confidential or sensitive company information on your profile. Avoid sharing internal issues, budgets, or commercial details. These can reflect poorly on you in the eyes of both current and future employers.

5. Overcome Plain Text Limitations

LinkedIn only allows plain text in most areas, meaning no bold, underline, or colour. To make your content more visually engaging, copy symbols from Google and paste them directly into your profile. Popular choices include ► and ★. Use them like bullet points, spacers, or section markers. Keep it clean and professional.

6. Post a Professional Profile Picture

Your profile photo acts like a digital handshake. It forms a strong first impression and should look professional. Black and white often looks smart. Dress as if you were meeting the CEO that day. The ideal photo size is 400 x 400 pixels and is best taken by a professional photographer.

7. Use Advanced Search

Many people never use LinkedIn’s best feature. Click the Advanced button beside the search bar and you will unlock a far more powerful way to find people, employers, and industry connections.

8. Expand Your Connections

A large number of industry-relevant connections helps you appear credible and active in your field. The goal is to reach 500+ connections so your profile displays the maximum threshold. Before you start sending invitations, remember that LinkedIn can restrict your account if too many people report they do not know you.

Tips for expanding your network

• Upload your phone and email contacts. LinkedIn will identify relevant people for you.
• Go through all past workplaces and add colleagues who may recognise your name.
• Accept invitations from anyone in your industry, profession, or connected services.

Some people will send a sales message immediately. Unfortunately, that comes with the territory. Simply ignore it and move on.

The Power of a Strong CV and LinkedIn Profile

An industry-standard CV gives you an edge when applying for roles. A polished LinkedIn profile supports your CV by reinforcing your personal brand and showing that you are digitally savvy. Because LinkedIn is public, your profile must align closely with your CV to build trust with employers.

If you need expert help to keyword-optimise your profile and increase your chances of being found by recruiters, our LinkedIn profile writing service will guide you through the exact settings, strategies, and language required to get head-hunted.