How to make your LinkedIn profile stand out to recruiters

This article was written for Daily Hive by Jina Marwood of ID Agency, our in-house agency that specializes in influencer marketing, events, and press trips.

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 600 million users worldwide. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, network, or strengthen your professional relationships, having an optimized LinkedIn profile has become an essential part of social media. 

But what makes a great profile? How do you stand out and get noticed by recruiters who will connect you to different opportunities? We spoke to Elise Mance, a Senior Account Manager at Sales Talent Agency, to get her insight on how to make a LinkedIn profile stand out amongst competitors. 

Ensure your profile is complete 

“Statistics show that you have a higher engagement rate if you include a picture on your LinkedIn,” says Mance. “By putting a face to a name, it makes your page more personable and approachable.”

When reaching out to someone for a role, lacking a summary, headshot, or bio “becomes a guessing game on whether or not the person is a good fit.” She expresses the importance of a clear, complete, and up-to-date profile if you’re looking for quality engagements. 

Start by updating your intro section to include your industry and location. Upload a headshot, background photo, and don’t skip on adding a headline. Finally, use the summary section to show how you’re different by showcasing your key skills, background, goals, and objectives. 

Make meaningful connections

We asked Mance whether or not the number of connections of LinkedIn matters. The answer? It always varies. 

“In sales, your role requires you to build professional relationships and LinkedIn is a great method of prospecting and outreach. A great salesperson will focus on growing their network so they can leverage those relationships.”

However, Mance elaborates that the quantity of connections doesn’t matter as much as the quality of someone’s connections. 

“You want LinkedIn to be a resource for you, not just another platform that is adding noise. I’d recommend focusing on quality connections with people you could potentially engage with versus focusing on the number of connections you have.”

Get active

LinkedIn has evolved into more than just a platform to build an online resume. 

Now that you’ve built the perfect resume, summary, and a solid community of people to follow you, it’s time to take advantage of the opportunity to present yourself as an expert in your niche. Mance says that a common mistake people make is completing their profile but not publishing any content.

She notes that “if someone is engaging in posts, publishing their own content, and adding value to the general conversation on LinkedIn within their field”, recruiters will definitely take notice. 

Small forms of engagement go a long way. She suggests writing about job hunting experiences, a book recommendation, or simply commenting on someone else’s post that you found interesting. 

“I know it’s nerve-wracking to publish your own content sometimes or engage with a total stranger, but keep in mind that that’s the norm on LinkedIn. If you are providing value in some way, there’s someone out there that will appreciate it.”