How to Build an Outstanding LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is not just a résumé; it represents your professional identity. Here are some tips for creating one that stands out and creates opportunities.

Quick Takeaways

1. Headline First – State your role and value proposition in 120 characters.
2. Show, Don’t Tell – Use visuals and featured content to showcase work.
3. Engage Weekly – Comment or post to stay visible in your network.
4. Use Keywords – Recruiters search by keywords, align yours with your industry.
5. Ask for Recommendations – Strong recommendation signals trust.

If your LinkedIn profile still looks like a digital résumé, you’re missing an opportunity. Today, LinkedIn has evolved into a powerful networking, recruiting, and personal branding platform.

More than 1 billion members globally use it to search for jobs, assess expertise, and build industry credibility.

In Nigeria alone, LinkedIn recorded over 10 million active users as of 2024—recruiters and decision-makers among them.

An outstanding profile doesn’t happen by chance. It requires strategic choices in presentation, keyword optimisation, and authentic engagement.

Here is how to transform your LinkedIn profile into a career catalyst.

Start with a Headline That Speaks Value

Your headline is prime real estate. It appears every time you comment, share, or connect. Avoid generic titles like “Accountant at XYZ Ltd”. Instead, use a value-driven formula:
[Role] + [Specialisation] + [Impact Statement].

For example:
“Chartered Accountant | IFRS Expert | Helping SMEs Drive Financial Transparency.”

This approach communicates what you do, what you’re great at, and why it matters.

Craft a Summary That Tells Your Story

Your About section should go beyond credentials. It’s your professional narrative. A persuasive summary does three things:

1. Showcases Your Value Proposition – State what makes you different.
2. Signals Your Aspirations – Share what roles or opportunities you are seeking.
3. Humanises Your Brand – Include passions or professional values.

Keep it concise, within 3–4 short paragraphs, and scan-friendly. Also, write in the first person, and while you are trying to be professional, you need to remain approachable.

Feature Rich Media to Prove Credibility

LinkedIn is visual. Go beyond text by adding presentations, certificates, case studies, or videos that demonstrate expertise. If you’ve delivered a keynote, include the link. If you’ve published an article, feature it under “Featured” section. Profiles with visuals attract up to 14x more views than text-only profiles (LinkedIn, 2024).

Optimise Skills and Endorsements Strategically

It is important to identify core skills that align with your objectives. LinkedIn permits you to list up to 50 skills, but it’s essential to prioritise your top three skills that are integral to your mission.

For example, a digital marketer might focus on “SEO Strategy,” “Content Marketing,” and “Data Analytics” as these skills are fundamental to success in that field.

This strategic selection helps to effectively showcase your expertise and enhances your professional profile.

Also, you need to encourage endorsements by endorsing others. The reciprocity effect works—visibility builds through mutual engagement.

Your Experience Should Highlight Impact, Not Just Duties

To enhance the effectiveness of job descriptions, it is advisable to use achievement statements instead. For instance, rather than stating “Managed social media accounts,” one could say: “Increased engagement by 45% within six months through a data-driven content strategy.”

Quantifiable results make your profile persuasive and recruiter-friendly.

Professional Photo and Background Banner

Your profile photo serves as your initial impression, so it’s important to select a high-quality, friendly, and professional headshot. Research indicates that profiles featuring photos receive 21 times more views, according to LinkedIn in 2024.

Additionally, consider the background banner as an opportunity for branding; use it to showcase your industry or personal tagline effectively.

Stay Engaged

A polished profile is only the beginning. LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards activity. Post thought leadership content, share industry insights, or comment intelligently on discussions. Regular engagement builds authority, trust, and visibility within your network.

Request Recommendations

Written recommendations are valuable tools for showcasing achievements. When seeking feedback, it’s beneficial to request specific insights from managers, colleagues, or clients that emphasise measurable outcomes. For instance, a strong endorsement might state, “John led a process redesign that reduced our turnaround time by 30%.”

This approach not only highlights individual contributions but also illustrates the impact of those contributions on overall performance.

Two to three strong recommendations are more influential than ten generic ones.

Bottom Line

LinkedIn serves as a primary resource for recruiters and business partners seeking potential candidates and collaborators. Having a robust profile can enhance your visibility for job opportunities, partnerships, and speaking engagements—even before you submit an application. It’s advisable to update your profile quarterly to incorporate new projects, skills, and accomplishments. Additionally, maintaining consistency with your CV and other digital platforms is essential for upholding a coherent personal brand.

Article Sources

• LinkedIn. (2024). Global Talent Trends Report.
• LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. (2024). 10 LinkedIn Statistics Marketers Need to Know.
• Research: Can a More Detailed LinkedIn Profile Boost Your Salary? (Harvard Business Review, 2023)
• How to Use Your LinkedIn Profile to Power a Career Transition (Harvard Business Review, 2015)
• LinkedIn CEO on Skills Over Degrees (Harvard Business Review, 2022)
• How to Tell Your Story on LinkedIn (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
  

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