5 Tips for Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile

There are roughly 660 million LinkedIn users globally, located in over 200 different countries, according to data from the company. Over the years, LinkedIn has become a hub for all things career development, job hunting, and connecting with like-minded professionals. If you’re already a part of the working world, chances are you have a LinkedIn profile floating around the internet. But is your LinkedIn page doing you any favors?

Just like your Instagram page represents the fun and social side of you, LinkedIn represents your professional self—and it can be an incredibly powerful tool. As a young professional, it’s important to make your LinkedIn page stand out in the sea of professionals in your industry. It’s even more critical if you’re currently searching for a new job. The good news, is that LinkedIn’s simple user interface makes it easy to optimize your profile so you can make connections and show recruiters why you’re the candidate they need. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Use a good headshot

We’ve all heard the saying, “looks don’t matter,” but on LinkedIn, it’s a bit of a different story. The profile picture you choose says a lot about who you are, not just what you look like. Using a high-quality headshot proves your professionalism and credibility, which goes a long way with job recruiters. If you don’t have a headshot already, recruit a friend to take one for you. Consider wearing a blazer and take the photo in good lighting—natural light is always a great choice.

Update your headline

LinkedIn will automatically adjust your headline to be your job title at the company you work for. But it might be a good idea to switch up your headline to something more creative and personal, especially if you’re in the market for a new job. Your headline is what sets you apart from other candidates on LinkedIn, and it’s what stands out when someone comes across your profile. Get specific with your headline by describing (in a few words) who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for next.

Highlight past results

Job recruiters love candidates who can illustrate the results they’ve gotten for past employers. It’s one thing to talk about your skills, but demonstrating how you put those skills to use is incredibly powerful. If your contributions helped your last company grow their customer base, or increase revenue, make sure that is highlighted front and center on your LinkedIn page. Consider putting your most impressive results in the summary at the top, and elaborating on specific responsibilities in the job history section.

Publish articles

Becoming an author on LinkedIn is a great way to show your thought leadership and expertise on certain subjects. It also gets your name in front of recruiters or even CEOs who might want to hire you. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, try drafting a quick 500-word article on a topic that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about. Maybe explore a trending topic in your professional industry, or weigh in on new research in your field.

Show off your personality

Just because LinkedIn is a professional network, doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with your profile. In fact, showing off your personality can work to your advantage. It tells job recruiters who you outside of the office, which helps them determine if you’ll be a good fit culturally within an organization. Make sure to put your professional achievements and skills first, but don’t be afraid to show off your personal projects and passions, as well.

LinkedIn is one of the best professionals tools on the market, so make sure you’re using it to your advantage. Implement some of the suggestions mentioned above to take your profile to the next level and show recruiters why you should be their next hire.

Beth Rivelli is a Boston-based contributor for JUGs. She's a full-time content marketer, part-time Netflix addict, and self-proclaimed ice cream expert. Follow her @elizabethrivelli on Instagram.