For many roles, recruiters find candidates on LinkedIn before candidates ever apply. That makes your profile a kind of always-on resume. A few deliberate changes can shift you from invisible to a regular appearance in recruiter searches.
Your headline is a search field
The default headline is just your current title. Replace it with the role you want plus the skills that define you: 'Senior Product Designer | Design Systems | B2B SaaS.' Recruiters search by keywords, and your headline carries serious weight in those searches.
Write the About section in your voice
The About section is where you sound human. Open with what you do and the value you bring, add two or three proof points with numbers, and close with what you are looking for. Write it in the first person — this is the one place where 'I' belongs.
Quick wins that compound
- Use a clear, professional photo and a simple branded banner.
- Fill in skills and reorder them so the most relevant appear first.
- Turn responsibilities in your experience into results, just like a resume.
- Set your profile to signal you are open to opportunities, discreetly if needed.
- Customize your public profile URL to your name.
Consistency builds trust
Your LinkedIn and your resume should tell the same story. Mismatched titles or dates raise questions. Keep the facts aligned, and let LinkedIn carry the longer narrative while your resume stays sharp and targeted.
