LinkedIn Profile Tips: 15 Ways to Stand Out and Get Noticed
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital handshake. It's the first impression you make on recruiters, clients, and potential collaborators.
But most profiles blend into the background. They use the same buzzwords, the same format, the same generic approach.
You need to do better.
These 15 LinkedIn profile tips will help you stand out from the crowd. They're based on what works in 2024, not what worked five years ago.
1. Write a Headline That Hooks Attention
Your headline appears everywhere on LinkedIn. It shows up in search results, comments, and messages.
Don't waste it on your job title.
Instead, tell people what you do for them. Focus on the outcome you deliver.
Weak: "Marketing Manager at Tech Company"
Strong: "I help B2B SaaS companies turn content into customers"
The second version tells people exactly what value you bring. It makes them want to learn more.
2. Use a Professional Photo That Shows Your Face
Profiles with photos get 21 times more profile views than those without.
Your photo should be recent, clear, and friendly. Face the camera directly. Smile like you're meeting a colleague for coffee.
Skip the group photos, vacation shots, and heavily filtered images. LinkedIn is professional, not Instagram.
The background should be simple. You want people focused on your face, not what's behind you.
3. Add a Custom Background Banner
The banner sits at the top of your profile. It's prime real estate that most people ignore.
Use it to reinforce your personal brand. Add your tagline, showcase your expertise, or highlight what you're known for.
Free tools like Canva make it easy to create a custom banner in minutes. The dimensions are 1584 x 396 pixels.
4. Craft an About Section That Tells Your Story
Your About section is where you connect with readers. Don't list skills or recite your resume.
Tell your story. Explain what drives you. Share what you're working on and who you help.
Write in first person. Use short paragraphs. Make it easy to scan.
Answer these questions:
- What do you do?
- Who do you help?
- What results do you deliver?
- What makes your approach different?
End with a clear call to action. Tell people how to work with you or get in touch.
5. Optimize Your Profile for Search
LinkedIn functions as a search engine. Recruiters and potential clients search for specific skills and expertise.
Include relevant keywords throughout your profile. Add them naturally to your headline, About section, and experience descriptions.
Think about what terms your ideal client or employer would search for. Use those exact phrases.
Don't stuff keywords awkwardly. Write for humans first, algorithms second.
6. Showcase Results in Your Experience Section
Nobody cares about your responsibilities. They care about what you achieved.
Transform boring job descriptions into compelling results. Use numbers, percentages, and specific outcomes.
Weak: "Managed social media accounts for clients"
Strong: "Grew client Instagram accounts by an average of 342% in 6 months, generating $1.2M in attributed revenue"
Quantify everything you did. Show the impact you made.
7. List Your Skills Strategically
LinkedIn allows you to list up to 50 skills. But the top three matter most.
Choose skills that align with your goals. If you want to be known for content strategy, make sure that's in your top three.
You control the order by dragging skills up or down. Prioritize what you want to be hired for.
Ask colleagues to endorse your key skills. Endorsements add social proof to your expertise.
8. Request Recommendations From Real Clients
Recommendations carry more weight than endorsements. They're detailed testimonials that prove your value.
Reach out to past clients, colleagues, or managers. Ask for specific feedback about a project you worked on together.
Make it easy for them. Suggest what they might write about. Offer to draft something they can edit.
Aim for 3-5 strong recommendations. Quality beats quantity every time.
9. Add Media to Showcase Your Work
The Featured section lets you pin important content to the top of your profile.
Add portfolio pieces, case studies, articles you wrote, or presentations you delivered.
Visual proof of your expertise makes you more credible. It gives visitors something concrete to evaluate.
Update this section regularly with your best recent work.
10. Turn on Creator Mode
Creator mode unlocks extra features for content creators. It adds a Follow button, displays your recent posts prominently, and lets you add up to five hashtags to your profile.
You also get access to LinkedIn Optimization Checklist: 47 Steps to Triple Your Profile Views Live, newsletters, and creator analytics.
Turn it on if you publish content regularly. It signals to LinkedIn's algorithm that you're an active contributor.
11. Customize Your Profile URL
LinkedIn assigns you a random URL with numbers. Change it to your name for a cleaner look.
A custom URL is easier to share and looks more professional on business cards and email signatures.
Go to your profile, click "Edit public profile & URL" on the right, and customize your URL.
12. Fill Out Every Section Completely
Incomplete profiles rank lower in search results. They also make you look less committed.
Add your education, certifications, volunteer experience, and publications. Fill in every field that's relevant to your professional identity.
Complete profiles get 40 times more opportunities than incomplete ones.
The more information you provide, the more ways people can find and connect with you.
13. Engage Before You Ask for Anything
People check your profile after you interact with them. If they see you only post sales pitches, they'll ignore you.
Comment on posts from your target audience. Share insights. Ask thoughtful questions.
Build relationships before making requests. Show you're genuinely interested in adding value.
Your profile converts better when people already recognize your name from valuable interactions.
14. Post Content Consistently
Active profiles attract more attention than static ones. Publishing content shows you're engaged and knowledgeable.
Share insights from your work. Write about lessons you learned. Offer practical advice your audience finds useful.
You don't need to post daily. Twice a week is enough to stay visible and build momentum.
Consistency matters more than frequency. Pick a schedule you sustain long term.
15. Review and Update Every Quarter
Your profile should evolve as you grow. Set a reminder to review it every three months.
Add new projects, update your headline if your focus changed, and refresh your About section.
Remove outdated information. Update your skills list. Make sure everything reflects where you are now, not where you were years ago.
A current linkedin optimization checklist shows you're active and paying attention.
The Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now you know what works. Here's what to skip:
Don't use generic descriptions. "Results-driven professional" and "team player" mean nothing. Show specific results instead.
Don't ignore connection requests. You never know who might open a door for you. Accept requests from real people and send a quick thank you.
Don't spam people with sales messages. Build relationships first. Offer value before asking for anything in return.
Don't copy someone else's profile. Authenticity stands out. Write in your own voice and share your unique perspective.
Don't let your profile gather dust. An outdated profile signals you're not active on the platform. Keep it fresh.
Making Your Profile Work for You
Your LinkedIn profile is a tool. It should work for you while you focus on your actual work.
Implement these tips one at a time. Start with the highest impact changes like your headline and About section.
Test different approaches. See what resonates with your audience. Refine based on who views your profile and how they engage.
The goal is simple: make people want to connect, learn more, or work with you.
A strong profile opens doors. It attracts opportunities you don't have to chase.
Put in the work now. Your future self will thank you.
Take Action Today
Pick three tips from this list. Implement them this week.
Start with your headline, update your About section, and add media to your Featured content.
Small changes compound over time. Your profile won't transform overnight, but consistent improvements add up.
The best time to optimize your profile was when you created it. The second best time is right now.
Stop blending in with everyone else. Stand out. Get noticed. Make your LinkedIn profile impossible to ignore.
Further Reading
Written by Peter Schliesmann
