Whether you're looking to stand out to recruiters, optimize your profile for searches, or simply make meaningful connections, we've got you covered. No fluff, no wasted time—just actionable insights to help you make the most of your LinkedIn presence. Here are five solid LinkedIn tips from our experts.
1. Change The Visibility Of Your LinkedIn Activity
Before you start “tinkering” with your LinkedIn profile (or hiring a professional to enhance your profile), please take a minute to do the following:
1. Access Privacy Settings
- Go to LinkedIn and log in to your account.
- Click on your profile photo or the Me icon in the top right corner.
- Select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.
- In the Settings & Privacy page, click on the Visibility tab in the left-hand menu.
- Select Visibility of your profile & network.
- Profile Visibility Off LinkedIn: Choose whether your profile can appear in search engines or is only visible to logged-in LinkedIn members.
- Profile Viewing Options: Control what others see when you view their profiles (e.g., your name, job title, or anonymous mode).
- Public Profile Settings:
- Click Edit your public profile.
- Use the toggles to manage which parts of your profile (e.g., photo, headline, experience) are visible to public viewers.
- Toggle the Your profile’s public visibility option on or off.
- Return to the Visibility of your profile & network section.
- Adjust who can see your connections or activity.
- LinkedIn saves changes automatically when you toggle options, so there's no "Save" button needed.
When you are finished tinkering, go back and turn on the visibility of your activity, if you so choose. It’s that simple!
(Original article: "Pay Attention To Your LinkedIn Settings")
2. Endorse Your Connections
BigstockEvery Monday, take 10 minutes out of your morning to pay it forward by endorsing 10 people in your LinkedIn network. Imagine how you would feel if in your inbox on a Monday (aka the day of the week when even the most cheerful people struggle to get going), you found endorsements of your skill sets from your peers.
It’s a small gesture that can have a big impact, boosting someone’s confidence and helping them stand out to recruiters. Plus, it keeps you top of mind in their network; reciprocity often sparks new opportunities. This simple habit not only strengthens your connections but also builds your reputation as someone who uplifts others.
(Original article: "Quick Tip: Monday Is The Day For LinkedIn Endorsements")
3. Get Recommendations... Lots Of 'Em
Bigstock
Recommendations are essential to your profile. Seek them proactively and seek them passively. Proactive recommendation seeking involves reaching out and asking someone to recommend you. Passive recommendation seeking involves recommending someone, at which point LinkedIn asks them to recommend you back. The latter is actually a bit more effective.
Additionally, tailor your requests by reminding your connections of specific projects or achievements you worked on together, making it easier for them to write detailed and meaningful recommendations. Well-crafted recommendations that highlight your skills and professionalism are far more impactful than generic endorsements.
(Original article: "10 Things To Immediately Do On LinkedIn")
4. Choose An Appropriate Photo
Bigstock
The following 11 tips will help you pick the right photo for your LinkedIn, Gmail, and other online accounts:
- Don’t use an old photo. There are few things worse than meeting someone for the first time and not recognizing them because the profile photo is from 10 years ago (or longer)!
- Use a photo of you in your profile—not an object.
- Smile! Your face should radiate warmth and approachability.
- Photos should be professionally done, if possible (but no glamour shots).
- Wear your most complementary color. Bright colors can attract attention, but avoid patterns.
- Don’t have other people in your photos (and don’t crop other people out of your shot—there should not be any errant body parts in your online photo!).
- Make sure the background in the photo isn’t distracting.
- Relax. Look directly at the camera.
- Take multiple shots and ask people for their opinion on which one makes you seem most “approachable.”
Tips for men: Wear a dark blue or black dress shirt. No T-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, or busy/crazy patterns.
Tips for women: Wear something you feel comfortable in. No T-shirts or big/busy patterns. Soft, dark V-necks look great. Black always works; avoid white.
(Original article: "11 Tips For Choosing Your LinkedIn Photo")
5. Give Your Professional Headline A Boost
Bigstock
Use the “|” (vertical bar) to divide your text and create visual breaks.
Example: Which of the following is easier to read?
Project Manager Specializing in Business Research and Analysis for Major Corporations
OR
Project Manager | Research & Analysis Specialist | Fortune 1000 Business Experience
Obviously, the second one is easier to read and comprehend because of the formatting. The vertical lines separate the data and enable the reader to comprehend what you do better (bonus points if you list hard skills in your headline, separated by the vertical bar, to better optimize your profile so it gets found by recruiters).
(Original article: "LinkedIn Quick Tip: Tweaking Your Professional Headline")
We know how difficult it can be to optimize your LinkedIn profile the right way. We hope our LinkedIn Cheat Sheet helps you create a professional and well-optimized LinkedIn profile that stands out to recruiters and hiring managers.
Need more help optimizing your LinkedIn profile?
Get access to our Free Resource Center today (no credit card required!).
