5 Quick Updates to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

Improve your LinkedIn profile is a crucial step for career growth and opportunities in today’s digital world. With over 850 million members, LinkedIn has become the go-to professional networking platform for recruiters, headhunters, and companies to find the best talent.

As we approach the end of 2023, here are five quick profile updates you must implement so recruiters know you are #OpenToWork and have an all-star LinkedIn presence.

1. Signal You Are Actively Job Hunting

The LinkedIn #OpenToWork photo frame allows you to discretely notify recruiters that you are open and actively searching for new job opportunities. Over 2 million members have added the frame to their profile pictures after its launch in 2020.

Here is how you can add the #OpenToWork photo frame in just a few clicks:

Click the “Open to” button below your contact info
Select “Finding a new job”
Supply your job preferences
Indicate who could see that you’re #OpenToWork (either recruiters only OR the entire LinkedIn community)
Click Add to Profile

The photo frame is only visible to recruiters and will not be shown to your general connections. It is a simple yet powerful way to get noticed by recruiters and catch the eye of hiring managers of companies you would like to work at.

Also read: How to Add Multiple Roles in Same Company on LinkedIn

2. Make Sure You Have Target Keywords

With intelligent algorithms scanning LinkedIn profiles, you must include relevant keywords and phrases that recruiters may be searching for. The right keywords will increase discoverability and make your profile visible in recruiter searches.

Follow this checklist to incorporate target keywords:

Job Titles and Roles: Include all current and previous job titles and roles. Don’t just put the company name. Recruiters search for job titles they want to fill.
Skills and Expertise: Ensure the Skills section accurately represents your capabilities. Refer to the job description of roles you are interested in and incorporate those skills and software/tools you have expertise in.
Backgrounds and Degrees: Mention accurately all degrees earned and fields of study. Highlight relevant courses and certifications.
Groups and Organizations: Join active industry/role-specific groups like “Digital Marketing Professionals” or “Product Management HQ”. This works well with boolean searches recruiters use.
Headline and About Section: Sprinkling target keywords in these summary sections enables your profile to stand out. But don’t keyword stuff. Keep it natural.

Follow the 2% target keyword density recommendation for the term “LinkedIn” in your profile for optimum results.

3. Expand Your Network Strategically

Recruiters often look at who you are connected with to assess the quality of your profile. Connecting with the right people, following influential thought leaders of your industry and engaging meaningfully with your community will provide a major boost.

Here are smart ways to expand your network:

Connect with past colleagues: Rekindle relationships by sending personalized invites mentioning a shared project or experience you had together.
Follow Company Pages: Follow the pages of your target companies. This signals interest and could lead recruiters to check you out.
Engage with Content: Like, share, and comment on posts by connections and influencers. This builds relationships organically.
No Random Connecting: Avoid mass connection requests. Connect only with those you know or suggest a personalized note with the invite.

Set a target to make at least 15 new relevant connections every week. Actively engage with your network with comments, likes, and shares. A strong network signals you are a well-connected domain professional.

Also read: How to Message a Recruiter on LinkedIn

4. Showcase Achievements and Add Multimedia

Think of your LinkedIn profile as an interactive resume on steroids. Use relevant metrics, data, certificates, slide decks, videos, and proof points to demonstrate your experience and capabilities visually.

Follow these best practices:

Portfolio Samples: Show tangible work samples like presentations, spreadsheets, infographics etc you created. These act as proof points of your skills.
Certifications and Test Scores: Display certifications from respected institutions. Mention test scores like SAT, GRE or GMAT if applying for higher education.
Volunteer Work and Causes: Demonstrating volunteering work and causes you support acts as social proof and also showcases well-roundedness.
Honors and Awards: Highlight prestigious recognitions like Employee of the Month awards. Use multimedia like photos, videos and quotes to showcase the award.

Recruiters spend very little time on each profile. Visually showcasing achievements and accomplishments through concrete examples will make you stand out.

5. Stay Updated Always

Stale profiles with outdated information portfolio samples and work examples signal stagnancy and disengagement. With how rapidly business landscapes change, your profile must reflect the latest capabilities recruiters are looking for.

Here are the options to consider:

Courses and Certifications: Showcase the latest courses, certifications, and skill development investments you are making. Display in-progress ones too. These signal constant upskilling.
New Responsibilities: Update your profile with the additional responsibilities you take on. Showcasing career growth is eye-catching.
Volunteering and Leadership: Spotlight new leadership experiences in internal committees, industry forums and non-profits. This builds credibility.
Articles and Content: Publishing insights on industry publications and LinkedIn acts as social proof of knowledge. Link to your writings.
Portfolio Samples: Rotate portfolio samples with updated presentations, analytics results and projects. Demonstrate breadth and depth.

Set calendar reminders to revisit your profile once a quarter to reflect new learnings, growth and accomplishments. A refreshed profile has 4x more views and engagement.

By implementing these five quick LinkedIn profile updates regularly, you can ensure your profile stands out to attract exciting career opportunities aligned with your passions and skills. Employ these tips and watch your inbox fill up with messages from interested recruiters and companies!

Also read: How to Find People on LinkedIn: The Ultimate 2024 Guide