A search-optimized LinkedIn profile can attract your next job out of the blue. One of my clients has landed his last two jobs through recruiters finding his profile. In this post I’ll share proven techniques–some well known, and some surprising–to get recruiters to contact you on LinkedIn.
Not all of the resulting recruiter messages will be about suitable opportunities–life insurance sales, anyone?–but all of them have value, as I’ll explain below.
First, let’s look at how to make your profile into a recruiter magnet.
Include plenty of effective keywords.
As you may know, when recruiters search LinkedIn–either via the specialized LinkedIn Recruiter app, or through LinkedIn’s basic search–they look for certain words related to the role they’re looking to fill. For example, a communications manager’s profile will usually include several mentions of “media,” “web,” “writing” and so on.
There are various ways to identify the keywords you need to include throughout your profile. You could ask an AI tool such as ChatGPT to identify the keywords in several typical job postings you’ve pasted into your query. When I tried it, ChatGPT (basic version) did a pretty good job, but included a couple of keywords that didn’t exactly appear in the posting. If I did it again, I’d tell it that the keywords must be written exactly as they appeared.
Or use my “manual” method:
- Find several job postings that are very typical of the job you want.
- Highlight the skills and qualifications that seem most crucial. Clues: The key skills are often mentioned more often, may appear near the top of the posting, and may appear in multiple postings.
- Make a list of the words you highlighted.
- Add to your list the job titles you’re interested in, because those are some of the most important keywords. (“But I’ve never held that title,” you may say, “so how can I include it in my profile?” Keep reading, especially the “Bonus Tip” below!)
- While you’re at it, add the verbs most often used in the postings, as well.
- Prioritize the list, using the criteria from step 2 above, plus your own judgment.
However you go about creating your keywords list, work those words into your profile, especially in the following sections: Professional Headline (the line right under your photo), About, Experience and Skills. (While you’re at it, include them in your resume and cover letters, too. Both of those documents are likely to be used in employers’ applicant tracking systems, where keyword optimization can increase your chances of getting an interview.)
***Bonus Tip*** One of the most effective places for keywords on LinkedIn is the “Title” field of the jobs in the Experience section of your profile. Although it’s important to include your accurate title, that’s not all you can include in that space. Read my post Can you change your title on your resume?
Always show a current “job.”
Why did I put “job” in quotes? Because even if you’re unemployed, there are ways to honestly and ethically include a keyword-rich, effective “current position” entry that goes right up “to present,” without claiming that you’re currently employed.
This is very important, because often recruiters search for professionals who are currently in a position similar to the one they’re looking to fill. Handling this part of the profile strategically will help get it in front of recruiters. They will then see that you’re not employed–and not even claiming to be–but if everything else looks good, you’ve still got a chance of being interviewed. Read my post, How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile When You’re Unemployed.
Have a complete profile.
Profiles that LinkedIn considers “complete” get more views. To achieve “complete” status, LinkedIn recommends you do all of the following:
- Add a profile photo.
- List all the jobs or positions you’ve held, along with descriptions of your roles.
- List five or more skills in your profile. (Get better search rankings by including 50-100. There’s no reason not to. Include both hard and soft skills.)
- Don’t skip the “About” section. The best “About” summaries are conversational but professional, written in first person (“I”), and keyword-rich. Be engaging. For example, you might describe what you love most about your work. You can even include a bit of humor.
- Fill out the “Intro” section (the top section where your photo appears) completely, including industry, location and postal code.
- Fill out “Education” even if you didn’t complete your college degree.
- Have 50 or more connections.
Notice that the first item on LinkedIn’s completion list was “Add a profile photo.” LinkedIn states that “just having a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others.” It also makes a crucial first impression, so choose the right photo. Don’t worry, LinkedIn isn’t a beauty contest. The main thing is to look approachable and professional, with extra points for looking healthy and lively.
Be well connected.
While “50 or more” connections may be enough to qualify your profile as complete, having more will make your profile more findable. What’s a good number of connections? I have advice on that, too.
Get recommendations.
Not only do recommendations boost your search rankings, they’re compelling social proof of your skills, including those important but hard-to-prove soft skills. Know the best practices for obtaining and capitalizing on recommendations.
When you do hear from recruiters, respond politely, even if the position is way off-base, and connect with them on LinkedIn. If you know someone else who might be interested in their opening, see if you can introduce them. One way or another, responding to these contacts increases your odds of hearing from them about future opportunities that may be right up your alley. Not only is it good manners, it’s good networking, which as you know is a major part of getting a great job sooner! (This post has been updated in 2025.)
