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LinkedIn has become one of the most important tools in a modern job search. For many industries, it’s no longer optional. Employers use LinkedIn to proactively search for candidates, review profiles, validate experience, and discover people before jobs are even posted.
But a lot of people still treat LinkedIn like an online resume, which is such a missed opportunity. A strong LinkedIn presence isn’t about becoming an influencer or posting every day. It’s about helping the right people understand:
what you do
where you add value
how you think; and
what opportunities you’re aligned with
If you’re new to LinkedIn, or looking to use it more intentionally, here are 10 practical ways to strengthen your presence on the platform.
1. Create a profile that people want to read
Your profile is often a first impression. Complete all sections, to create credibility quickly and don’t leave areas unfinished!
A clear photo: Recent headshot (not a selfie), with a clean background. Dress professionally, but doesn’t have to be fancy
Updated banner: Don’t leave this blank. Create a personalized banner using free tools like Canva, or upload a photo that resonates with you (city landscape, nature scene, or something that relates to your field)
2. Write a headline that says more than your job title
Your headline is one of the most important sections for LinkedIn search visibility, so the language you use matters.
Instead of only listing your title, use the space to clarify:
what you do
your area of expertise
the value you bring
e.g. Digital Marketing Manager | SEO & Content Strategy | Building high-converting campaigns that lower acquisition costs and drive organic growth.
A stronger headline helps recruiters and connections quickly understand your focus. This should show the direction you are going, and it doesn’t have to be your current role.
3. Use the About section to help people understand you
This is where you can really showcase your personality. LinkedIn is meant to be less formal than a resume. Ditch the third person, and use a first-person narrative to explain:
how you got to where you are
what you’re good at
what interests you moving forward
I’ve also heard this formula described as The Past, The Present, The Future
It should feel like your story or journey, not just a bulleted list of responsibilities.
4. Use the Experience section strategically
Your LinkedIn Experience section shouldn’t be a direct copy of your resume. Like the About section, it’s written in the first person and your chance to add context and personality.
Instead of listing every responsibility, focus on helping people quickly understand:
the type of work you do
the scope of your experience
where you’ve made an impact
A strong Experience section usually includes:
a general overview of the role
the types of projects, teams, or environments you’ve worked in
1–2 accomplishments that clearly demonstrate results, leadership, or responsibility
The goal isn’t to cover everything, although I know this can be tempting. It’s to make your value easier to understand quickly.
For a different twist, consider something personal like what you’ve enjoyed the most and how it has prepared you for the future.
5. Use keywords naturally
Recruiters often search LinkedIn using keywords tied to roles, industries, tools, and skills. This means your profile should reflect the language commonly used in your target roles.
But avoid keyword stuffing. The goal is alignment and readability, not trying to beat the algorithm.
Here is where AI can be very helpful. Pop a few target job postings into your favourite LLM, and ask it to summarize keywords and trends. Naturally infuse the language into all aspects of your profile for better searchability.
6. Strengthen your Skills section strategically
The LinkedIn Skills section functions helps to determine your profile's discoverability. When recruiters use filter search tools, the platform acts as a gatekeeper. If you lack the skills required in the posting, your profile is hidden from relevant search results
Focus on skills that:
support your target direction
reflect current market needs
align with the work you want to do
And avoid stuffing your skills with generic skills like “Microsoft Office”. Too many broad or generic skills can make your profile feel less focused and less aligned with your target roles.
7. Build connections consistently
Networking on LinkedIn doesn’t need to feel transactional.
Start small:
connect with former colleagues
former schoolmates
vendors & partners
people you meet at events
peers in other companies
recruiters or hiring managers in your field
When possible, personalize connection requests with a short note. Note that LinkedIn has now limited personalized connection requests to 3 – 5 per month. Which means you need to strategic!
If you’ve used up your personalized requests:
comment first on your potential contact’s content
register for LI events and network in the chat
join LinkedIn groups and message other group members for free
8. Start engaging before you start posting
One of the easiest ways to become more visible on LinkedIn is through comments. You don’t need perfect insights or original thought leadership.
Start by:
reacting to posts
adding your perspective
sharing a quick example or takeaway
Aim for three 20-minute commenting sessions each week, leaving 3–5 thoughtful comments per session.
9. Follow companies and pay attention to patterns
Following target companies attracts recruiters. They tend to look for candidates who are interested in the company, and / or interact with the company’s profile. That’s not the only benefit, following the company helps you:
stay informed
understand hiring trends
learn how the organization communicates
identify opportunities earlier
open the door for networking and interviews
10. Share your perspective by creating content
You don’t need to post every day to benefit from LinkedIn. But posting and creating content regularly, even once a week, helps to create visibility. This can feel intimidating for many, as it may feel like you need to produce original, intellectual content. But sharing something, relevant and useful to your audience is all you need to do.
Think about sharing:
lessons learned
reflections
project insights
practical tips
career observations
People connect more with authenticity and relevance than perfection.
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn is not just a job board.
It’s a tool for:
building visibility
strengthening your positioning
staying connected to opportunities; and
helping people understand the value you bring
You don’t need to do everything at once. Small, consistent actions go a lot further than trying to build the “perfect” LinkedIn presence overnight.
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