9 Tips on Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile

I recently joined a free workshop organized by PimpMyLinkedIn that reviewed LinkedIn profiles in real-time, and I volunteered mine. What followed was a detailed breakdown of how recruiters actually read your profile, what catches their attention, and what makes them scroll past.

If you're job hunting or want to strengthen your online presence, here are my key takeaways from that session.

1. Clarify Your Headline for Recruiters

Your headline is one of the first things recruiters see, and it's also what helps you show up in searches. If it’s vague or full of buzzwords, you won’t be found.

• Use specific job titles you’re targeting, like “Scrum Master,” “Content Marketing Manager,” or “SEO Specialist.”

• Avoid abstract terms like “driving business agility” or “delivering value.”

• Use a format like: Content Marketing Manager | Technical Writer | SEO Specialist.

• You can always update it later. What matters now is being discoverable.

  
  

2. Open Your About Section with a Clear Value Statement

Don’t start with vague phrases like “I turn complex topics into business results.” That doesn’t mean much without context.

• Say who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for.

• Keep it direct. Example:I’m a content marketer with 5+ years of experience growing organic traffic, generating leads, and building content systems for AI and life science companies.

3. Use the STAR Method to Show Impact

Recruiters love stories with results. Use the STAR method to structure your highlights:

• Situation – What was going on?

• Task – What were you responsible for?

• Action – What did you do?

• Result – What changed because of your work?

Add 2 to 3 short STAR examples in your About section so your impact is easy to understand at a glance.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Repeat Yourself

Worried about mentioning the same result in two places? Don’t be. Most people only scan your profile, and repetition helps reinforce the message.

• If a stat or outcome matters, it deserves to be both in your About and your Experience sections.

  
  

5. Add a Clear Call to Action

End your About section with a short, direct note on what you’re looking for.

• Example:I’m currently open to content strategy or SEO roles in AI, pharma, or open-source tech. Remote or Warsaw-based preferred.

6. Prioritize Clarity Over Creativity

It’s tempting to stand out with clever language, but clarity wins every time.

• Avoid buzzwords or vague titles.

• Think like a recruiter searching for a role on a deadline. Will they understand what you do at a glance?

  
  

7. Use the About Section to Add Nuance

If your title or experience spans multiple roles, you can explain that in the About section.

• Example: Some companies call this a Scrum Master, others call it a Delivery Manager or Agile Coach. I’ve done all three in practice.

8. Update Your Skills and Certifications

These sections matter more than people think. They help reinforce your credibility and boost your visibility in search results.

• Focus on the top 3 most relevant skills.

• Make sure your certifications are listed with the right organization and date.

• Add tools and platforms you use (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush, Notion, RStudio, etc.).

  
  

9. Know How Recruiters Actually Use LinkedIn

Most recruiters don’t read your whole profile.

• They scan your headline, glance at your About section, and search by keywords.

• If your profile isn’t clear within 5 seconds, they’ll move on.

• Make it obvious what roles you’re suited for and what value you bring.

You don’t need to update your entire profile in one go. Start with your headline and About section, then move on to skills and experience. And final tip, your LinkedIn profile should be as clear as possible.

See you in my next blog post! I'll be documenting some parts of my job search and share them here.