Fitness and Health
LinkedIn Profile Tips That Actually Get You Noticed
How do you make your LinkedIn profile stand out? Add a clear, recent photo where you look approachable, write a headline that says what you do and for whom, keep your About section short, and list results with numbers. LinkedIn says members with a profile photo get up to twice as many profile views. Here's a one-hour fix.
What LinkedIn itself recommends
LinkedIn's help page on building a good profile says: [1]
- Add a professional photo. It builds credibility, and members with a profile photo receive up to 2X more profile views.
- Make your headline stand out. It's created from your job title by default, but you can rewrite it to promote your expertise.
- Write a summary. Your About section should share your mission, motivation, and skills, ideally in one or two paragraphs, or bullet points.
Photo tips from LinkedIn
LinkedIn's guide to profile pictures notes: [2]
- A professional headshot is a good bet if you can get one; they often cost $200 to $400.
- You can take a good one yourself with decent light and a plain background.
- It cites a study of 800 profile pictures where people who smiled were seen as more likable, competent and influential, and smiles showing teeth were rated twice as likable as closed-mouth smiles.
- Avoid distracting backgrounds.
The DIY headshot (original)
- Stand facing a window during the day. No overhead light.
- Use the back camera on your phone, at eye level, with a timer.
- Frame from mid-chest up. Your face should fill most of the circle.
- Wear a solid color that suits you. Skip busy prints.
- Take 30 shots. Pick the one where you look relaxed and friendly.
- Ask two coworkers which one looks most like "you at your best at work."
The headline formula (original)
What you do + who you help + proof.
- Weak: "Marketing Coordinator at ABC"
- Strong: "Marketing Coordinator | Email campaigns for health brands | Grew list 40% in a year"
If you're job hunting: "Project Manager | Healthcare operations | Open to new roles"
The About section (original)
Keep it short and in first person:
"I help health clinics run smoother. Over six years I've managed scheduling systems for 12 clinics and cut patient wait times by 20%. I'm best at turning messy processes into simple ones. Right now I'm focused on [goal]. Message me about [topic]."
Two paragraphs. Done.
Experience: results, not duties
Duty: "Responsible for social media." Result: "Grew Instagram from 2,000 to 15,000 followers in 18 months."
Every role should have two or three results with numbers, even small ones.
Skills and recommendations
- Add skills that match job posts you want.
- Ask two people for recommendations. Make it easy: "Could you mention the [project] we did together?"
- Give recommendations too. People often return the favor.
Small settings that matter
- Customize your profile URL to your name.
- Add a background banner related to your field.
- Turn on "open to work" privately to recruiters if you don't want your employer to see.
Privacy and safety for women (original)
- You don't need to list your exact city; a metro area works.
- Don't share your personal phone number publicly.
- Mute or block anyone sending flirty or inappropriate messages. LinkedIn is a work space.
Post a little (original)
You don't need to be an influencer. Share one useful thing a month: a lesson from a project, an article with your take, a congratulations to a teammate. It keeps your name in people's feeds.
Quick answers
Do I need a professional headshot? No. A good, well-lit phone photo works. [2]
Should I add a career break? Yes, if you have one. LinkedIn lets you list it in Experience.
How often should I update it? Every few months, and right after any big win.
The bottom line
Add a clear, friendly photo, write a headline with what you do and proof, keep the About section short, and show results with numbers. [1][2] One hour of work can make you much easier to find and hire.