LinkedIn Profile Optimization

An Introduction to LinkedIn Optimization

Whether you’re an accountant, a software developer, a finance executive, or a freelance writer, LinkedIn is the go-to online service for professional networking. More than any other website, it’s the site where you can connect with employees across different industries and find opportunities that are precisely calibrated to your skills and interests. As such, it’s critically important you create a profile that accurately reflects your strengths, so you can stand out amid a field of similarly qualified professionals. To ensure you make a good impression on this website, we suggest following the below advice when setting up your account:

Headline and Summary

The first things users will likely examine when visiting your profile will be your headline and summary. That’s because those provide a concise summation of your talents and professional background. In order to make these sections compelling, we recommend formulating a unique success proposition (USP) first. Think of this as a kind of elevator pitch, covering your field, your specific area of expertise, and your key achievements. For example, in the sample LinkedIn provided, Jason’s field is healthcare manufacturing, sales, and distribution, his area of expertise is leading global teams in strategic initiatives, and the achievement is billion-dollar revenue growth.

Once you’ve condensed this information into a concise, readable USP, as in the example, you can write it as a headline. Then, when composing the first paragraph of the summary, be sure to incorporate and expand on these points. For example, Jason opens by noting that he drives a global manufacturer and distributor to earn billion-dollar success, and elaborates on the strategic initiatives mentioned in the headline, noting that they involve product innovation, business acumen, and continuous process improvements. 

The second paragraph should focus on your current or most recent role, describing the responsibilities it entails (or entailed) and what you’ve accomplished during your tenure. Then, list 2-3 bullet points highlighting some of your most significant achievements, phrasing them in the present tense, as in the example.

The third paragraph, below the bullets, should recapitulate the key skills listed in the above text, and mention any other talents not yet covered in the above text (in this case, for example, “spearheading lean operation modalities”). This will provide readers with a comprehensive appreciation of your abilities.

 Finally, the summary paragraph is what’s known as a call to action, wherein you invite readers to contact you. You can list your email, or simply mention that you welcome direct messages. 

Your Work Experience

This will typically be the longest and most detailed section you’ll write. In this section, you’ll describe the jobs you’ve held in chronological order, explaining the contributions you made in each. As with a news article, it’s best to lead with the most important information first, e.g., “Transformed private equity medical supply company from product manufacturer and distributor into integrated partner in healthcare systems, growing billion-dollar enterprise with 30+ global locations across 12+ countries.” The essential responsibilities and achievements should go at the top, followed by elaborations on those important points.

When writing these descriptions, ask yourself the following questions: Do I have quantifiable numbers (sales figures, revenue increases, etc.) that I can cite to bolster my achievements? Are the achievements I’m listing relevant to the employers I’m trying to appeal to? Can I demonstrate that I grew professionally throughout these various roles? And finally, is there any experience I can list — for example, something involving new technologies — that demonstrates I’m on the cutting edge of my field? 

Once you’ve written the descriptions, be sure to review them and eliminate any unwieldy, awkward, or run-on sentences, and revise them as needed. Clarity and readability are of paramount importance; a professional writing style indicates to employers that you’re a thoughtful and scrupulous individual. Be sure to also use strong, proactive verbs; instead of writing, “carried out a cost-saving initiative,” write “spearheaded a cost-saving initiative.” Lead sentences with strong verbs whenever possible.

Education, Awards, and Certificates

LinkedIn allows users to list an array of extraneous information about their education, the awards they’ve received, any courses they’ve taken, and more. You’re free to include as many items here as you want. Of course, it’s essential to list your degrees, but it’s also useful to list certificates and training you’ve undertaken (for example, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is always a relevant qualification). Be sure to specify the organization that conferred these awards and the dates they were issued. And if you’ve undertaken any volunteer work, include that as well — it helps demonstrate that you’re more than just a committed employee. 

Putting It All Together

Once you’ve thoroughly reviewed this guide and the example provided, go ahead and write a draft of your LinkedIn. Afterward, proofread and double-proofread it, scanning it to make sure it incorporates the USP, uses compelling and proactive language, and lists the most noteworthy achievements. Then, as a quality control measure, have someone else read it over and make suggestions. Once you feel the text you’ve written makes an effective case for you as a candidate, go ahead and post it on LinkedIn. 

The Value of a Professionally-Produced LinkedIn

If this all sounds daunting and time-consuming, don’t worry. We at Executive Resume Writers are in the business of producing compelling, well-written, and detailed LinkedIn profiles that showcase your strengths and achievements. If you want to take advantage of our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’ll produce the resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and biography that’s most likely to catch a potential employer’s attention. And if you’re worried about the interview process itself, we have experienced career coaches that can guide you through all the challenges you’ll face before and during the interview. Whatever phase of the application process you’re in, we’ll provide the necessary guidance to help you succeed in your career pursuits. Interested in our services? 

How We Help Professionals Like You

We work exclusively with executive-level professionals like you. By leveraging our decades of experience and our proven process, our clients get hired faster and negotiate higher compensation packages. Our approach is to uncover your unique talent brand, the things that truly make you the best candidate for an executive position.

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You need more than just a resume… you will also need a cover letter, LinkedIn profile and professional biography.

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