How to build a LinkedIn profile that actually works for you
A strong LinkedIn profile isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s your digital business card, your first impression, and often the place where someone decides whether they want to talk to you. Whether you’re actively job hunting or simply want to be found on LinkedIn, a professional profile helps massively. And the good news: with a few smart choices, you can see results quickly.
Start with the basics
The basics consist of three parts: your profile photo, your banner and your headline. Together they form your digital handshake. Your photo doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should look professional and approachable. No holiday pictures or group photos where you’ve cropped yourself out.
Your banner is the place where you can immediately show what you stand for. A short line, a visual mood or a clear promise almost always works better than the standard blue background.
And then your headline. You can see this as your one-sentence elevator pitch. Not just your job title, but mainly the value you bring. Think along the lines of “I help teams work smarter with clear processes” or “Creative marketer focused on data and results”. Yes, these are quite generic, but the important part is that it says something about you. This one is optional in our opinion; we use our job titles ourselves.
Tell a story people remember
Your About section is where you can open up a little. Not too long, but personal. Write about what drives you, how you work and what people can expect from you. Not a dry list of work experience; that comes later. This section should feel like someone gets to know you without you being in the room.
Start with a strong opening line. Something that makes people curious. Then show your common thread. What types of problems do you enjoy solving? What do you excel at? What gives you energy? In your experience section it’s all about impact, not lists. Share what you achieved, what your contribution was and what you learned. A strong LinkedIn profile shows what you can do without sounding like bragging. Small, clear and relevant works best here.
Let your experience show your value
In your work experience, it’s not about tasks but impact. What changed because you were there? What improved, sped up or ran more smoothly? That’s what people want to know. Use bullet points, but keep them short. And write as if you’re talking to a real person, not copying your job description.
So not: “Responsible for stakeholder management.”
But: “I ensured all teams were involved on time, allowing projects to run smoothly without friction.”
Some responsibilities are hard to quantify, but if you have concrete results, include them wherever possible.
Build trust with skills and recommendations
Selective skills say much more than twenty random keywords. Choose what truly fits you and skip the rest. Recommendations strengthen that image even more. A few short, honest reviews from people you’ve worked with work wonders for your credibility. References aren’t used as often anymore, but this way you can still give an impression of how others see you.
Genuine feedback is always the most valuable, so no need for fluff.
Keep your profile moving
A good profile is a start, but you stay visible by occasionally sharing or responding. It doesn’t need to be often. One post a month or a few comments a week is enough to show you’re active in your field. And yes, that helps you get found, because a profile that’s been silent for two years performs worse than one that shows some activity. You don’t have to become an influencer. A short post, a comment or sharing an insight is enough to show what you stand for. This boosts your visibility and makes it easier for people to find you on LinkedIn.
A simple checklist
Your photo matches what you want to convey
Your headline says more than your job title
Your About section tells your story
Your experience shows your impact
Your skills are up to date
Your profile shows recent activity
Ready to strengthen your profile?
As you know from us, honesty comes first, and a strong LinkedIn profile isn’t about being perfect. Or worse, trying to look perfect. It’s about clarity, trust and a consistent picture of who you are. When you get that right, your profile will start doing the work for you. You attract what you project. Projecting something you’re not doesn’t add much value. Have you updated your LinkedIn profile and landed your first interview? Or were you approached and now need a CV? Schedule a free intake or book a training right away so you’re well prepared.
