If you feel like you’re not getting the responses you should from your LinkedIn profile—or if you’re creating yours from scratch—here’s what you need to know to boost your chances of landing that interview you want.
Optimizing for AI
Today’s reality: no profile should be considered finished until you’ve optimized it for AI. AI tools used by recruiters can parse thousands of profiles per second, ranking them by relevance to a job description. It’s important to align with them.
LinkedIn’s AI tool looks for three main things:
- Keyword relevance – how well your profile language matches the job description.
- Engagement signals – likes, comments, and shares that show your content is credible.
- Organization – how you structure your data counts too. AI scans for clearly labeled sections (like Experience and Skills).
Boosting your search ranking depends on these AI match scores.
How to Choose Keywords
Keywords are the specific job titles, skills, tools, and terms recruiters search for (for example: call center agent, cloud migration or project management).
To add keywords, review job descriptions you’re targeting and naturally include those terms in your headline, summary, experience bullets, etc. Here’s some additional guidance on how to use keywords.
Keep these pointers in mind as you consider the following steps.
1. Start with your professional headline.
The most important part of your LinkedIn Profile is the section directly below your name. Get the most out of this space by writing a compelling and concise professional headline sharing who you are and what you do. This is a recruiter’s (or an AI tool’s) first indicator if you’re a potential fit for a position. Be sure it includes your most important keyword or words. Example: Contact Center Representative in Seattle area.
2. Make your profile 100% complete.
A complete profile improves your LinkedIn search ability. Make sure to include the following critical information:
- Accomplishments: Don’t be shy about your accomplishments. If you’ve received awards or other recognition, include this in your profile under the Awards section.
- Contact Information: Be sure to include your email address within this section. Most recruiters will contact you via email.
- History: Add all relevant positions you’ve held throughout your career, highlighting your contributions and accomplishments (avoid just a laundry list of duties), along with your educational background. Also, be sure to upload a current resume. Don’t forget to include any professional organizations or volunteer work you're involved in.
- Skills: When listing skills, include keywords that would increase your chance of being found by a recruiter. Examples: Customer service skills, data management, outbound sales, etc.
- Summary: Fill out the summary to include key highlights of your professional self. Include hard skills (i.e., Excel proficiency), soft skills (i.e., communication strengths) and any examples that show the impact you had on the organizations you’ve worked for.
- Don’t forget personal branding! Since your LinkedIn profile is your only online representation, take time to make the best impression and highlight what sets you apart.
3. Build your network.
The more connections you establish, the more likely your name will show up to key decision-makers as someone they should be in touch with. Ideally, you want your number of connections as close to 500 as possible, but make sure you are getting quality connections. That means connecting with your “Real World” network, or those people you’ve worked with closely, know your work ethic or can vouch for your soft skills.
4. Get recommended.
Recommendations are invaluable for enhancing and adding credibility to your profile. To get recommendations, you’ll most likely have to recommend someone first. When selecting recommenders, it’s ideal to ask individuals with a strong understanding of you, both professionally and personally, so they can provide a relevant, insightful recommendation.
5. Connect with companies.
By following companies you’re interested in, you’ll be able to see updates on open positions, as well as view who works within that company. This gives you the opportunity to connect with key decision-makers.
6. Connect with professional groups.
LinkedIn Groups are among the best ways to make connections and find actual jobs. Join groups in your niche, as well as groups focused on careers and job searching.
7. Be active
The more effort you put into your LinkedIn presence, the more you’ll get out of the social site. Whether you’re adding connections or providing updates, you’ll increase your chances of showing up on network pages.
8. Add a carefully chosen photo.
Upload a photo that presents you professionally. This helps add to your social media credibility.
9. Share status updates.
Whether it’s a link to a business article or a bit of your own wisdom, your thoughts should be shared on your LinkedIn profile. Any updates should place you in a respectable light, so keep them professional. A new rule of thumb is to share a posting up to 3 times a week.
10. Establish your own URL.
Use your LinkedIn URL to make it easy for recruiters to find your profile. You can find (or adjust) your URL at the top right of your Profile page. It’s a good idea to add the URL to your resume as well.
Why is a LinkedIn profile important?
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, with over 1.2 billion members across more than 200 countries and territories. What began as a networking site has become a primary platform for hiring, job searching, and professional visibility.
Today, approximately 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn as part of their hiring and candidate vetting process.vetting process.
Still not convinced that you should create or update your LinkedIn profile? Here are a few more reasons.
- Users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn.
- Have you ever Googled your name? Hiring managers and recruiters usually do. Your LinkedIn profile will show up as one of the first search links, guaranteeing accurate (and professional) information.
- With millions of LinkedIn groups worldwide, you can participate in discussions covering a range of topics, peruse job boards and get regular news updates.
- If you relocate or change phone numbers, it’s easy to update LinkedIn to ensure that you are always aware of any potential job opportunities.
Put your optimized profile to work.
Explore open roles that match your skills and connect with Manpower on LinkedIn.
