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If you’re thinking it's time for a fresh challenged or the next step in your career, it may be time to give your LinkedIn profile a makeover.

An update makes even more sense when research shows that almost three-quarters (72%) of recruiters use LinkedIn as a basis when searching for new talent, with 67% saying the professionals found there are of a higher quality than on other job sites.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that LinkedIn has grown from being a professional networking platform to one of the world’s largest social media sites, with over 857M members and in excess of 15M open job listings.

Your LinkedIn profile could be the difference between an exciting step in your career and staying stuck in the same old role. So, here’s what you should be doing to make it stand out and more likely to catch the eye of potential employers.

1. Make your profile photo count

Your profile picture helps you to make a good first impression. Make sure to keep it professional, natural (no heavy filters), and up-to-date.

Opt for soft lighting, a calm background and, if possible, make sure your face takes up at least 60% of the image, because long distance shots tend not to stand out.

2. Add extra detail to your headline

The description at the top of your profile page can be more than just your job title. Use it to elaborate on your experience and grab the reader’s attention and interest. E.g. how you see your role, why do you do what you do, what makes you tick?

The more impactful and memorable it is, the more likely recruiters and hiring managers will be to click onto your profile.

3. Create a bio in the summary section

Use the summary section as your bio and include a brief background about your key expertise and biggest achievements. This is one of the first things people will read on your profile, so it’s important to pack it with relevant information.

It’s also a great opportunity to give readers a flavour of your personality, your working style, your career ambitions, and your work-related interests.

4. Use keywords to highlight skills

Recruiters and hiring managers search LinkedIn for people relevant to their vacancies using keywords that match the job requirements. That's why it's vital to include as many of these as you can in your profile.

This can include:

• Skills such as Python, project management, or risk modelling

• Areas of expertise like AML, Compliance, or Operations

• Credentials like PRINCE2, CIMA, or CeMAP

The more keywords you match with someone’s search criteria, the higher you’ll appear in the list of results. But make sure that you only include skills that are applicable to you and relevant to the next job you want!

5. Outline your responsibilities and achievements

Ensure that your LinkedIn profile aligns with your CV and remember, there’s no need to list all your previous roles unless they are relevant to the role you’re looking for.

Most importantly, hiring managers are trying to find out if YOU are a good fit for the vacancy, so talk about your duties and accomplishments, what you did specifically, and what positives came from your work.

6. Share relevant LinkedIn feed content

LinkedIn isn't just about racking up a huge number of connections. The more you get involved - chat with people, like and comment on posts, share your thoughts on content - the more visible you'll be on the platform.

Especially if you're discussing industry-relevant topics, it can make you stand out as a professional who really knows their stuff. And you never know - a hiring manager or recruiter might just see your musings and drop you a message!

7. Request personal recommendations

Endorsements give people viewing your profile a quick sense of what you’re good at and valued for by substantiating your skills and increasing your credibility. Recommendations take things a step further - they are personal testimonials written to illustrate the experience of working with you.

The Recommendations section of your profile makes it easy for potential employers to see evidence of your success and contribution, so take time to reach out to previous employers, employees, teammates, and colleagues.

If you’d like to discuss this or any of the topics covered in our articles, please get in touch.