Highlight Achievements Instead of Job Titles on LinkedIn

If your entire job search strategy is filling out applications, uploading your resume, and then waiting… you’re missing the bigger picture. I can only speak for the software job market, which is an absolute mess for job seekers. Qualified candidates are everywhere, and you must take extra steps to stand out. Marketing yourself to a hiring manager is not a sin. Yes, some companies should change their hiring practices. Yes, I've made a ton of mistakes when hiring people. Just this last week, I accidentally ghosted someone when I had a last-minute family event jump on the calendar. AND YES, this is off the back of my post last week, where I shared why I no longer read resumes and gave tips on how to stand out in the interview process. Most of you loved it (thank you!), but a few strongly disagreed... STRONGLY disagreed. Who knew people would be so passionate about resumes? I get it. People have different perspectives. However, a resume and job application alone aren’t enough to stand out from the crowd. I promised a few in the comments that I would follow up with tips on making your LinkedIn profile stand out. So let's do it. Start with the Headline: Avoid default titles like “Marketing Manager at XYZ.” Instead, showcase your value: “Driving Revenue Growth through Data-Driven Marketing” or “Empowering Teams to Create Scalable Strategies.” Spend Time on the About Section: This is your elevator pitch. Highlight your skills, achievements, and passions in 3-5 paragraphs. Make it you, not just a resume dump. Add Key Achievements to Your Experience Section: This is one of the most effective and least used. Use bullet points that emphasize results and impact. Quantify whenever possible (e.g., “Increased MQLs by 50% through revamped campaigns”). Keep it concise, but USE NUMBERS. Don't Ignore the Featured Section: Add links to your portfolio, blogs, presentations, or standout projects. This is the place to shine a spotlight if you’ve published articles or spoken at events. Keep Your Profile Active & Current: Update your profile with every new role, project, or milestone. Stale profiles give the impression of inattention. Set a calendar block or invite every other month to update your profile. Start there. Your LinkedIn profile is more than a digital resume because who wants to read a resume? It’s your chance to tell your story, highlight your skills, and make someone want to talk to you. Go forth and conquer.

Don't treat your LinkedIn profile like a placeholder. Make it a magnet! 🧲 When fully optimized, I've seen how well a profile performs to attract the right eyes: One of my clients updated her profile and, within weeks, was contacted by a Fortune 500 recruiter for a role she hadn’t applied for. Another individual secured a speaking invitation at an industry conference, thanks to her expertise being clearly showcased online. And my own husband? He’s been approached multiple times for high-level roles without submitting a single application — all because his profile clearly tells the story of what he does, who he helps, and the results he delivers. The truth is, opportunities often find you when you make it easy to be found. Here are 3 ways to optimize your profile today for better results: 1️⃣ Write a keyword-rich Headline. Go beyond your job title. Include targeted keywords and value-focused language that speaks directly to the roles you want. Instead of "VP of Operations", try: VP of Operations | Driving $200M+ Growth | Supply Chain Optimization & Lean Transformation 2️⃣ Complete your About section in a storytelling format. Share your career story in a way that feels human. Highlight your “why,” your wins, and the impact you’ve made. Don't just provide a list of skills or basic details. Replace “Results-oriented leader with 20 years of experience” with: "I build organizations that scale. Over the past two decades, I’ve led teams of 500+, delivered $200M in new revenue, and turned underperforming divisions into market leaders." 3️⃣ Fully build out your Experience section. Don’t stop at job titles and dates. Include achievement-driven bullet points with context, actions, and results so people can see exactly what you bring to the table. Swap “Responsible for managing projects” for: "Delivered 12 concurrent projects on time and under budget by implementing agile workflows and weekly cross-team reviews." When your profile is complete, compelling, and clear, it works for you 24/7.

🔍 Want to Get Noticed by Recruiters on LinkedIn? Here's How to Make Your Profile Pop! As a Senior Talent Sourcing Specialist, I spend hours scanning LinkedIn profiles—and I can tell you, the ones that stand out aren’t always the ones with the fanciest titles. They’re the ones that tell a clear, compelling story. Here are 5 quick tips to help your profile shine: ✨ 1. Craft a Killer Headline Go beyond your job title. Use your headline to showcase your specialty, value, or passion. Example: “Helping fintech startups scale through strategic talent acquisition.” 📝 2. Tell Your Story in the ‘About’ Section This is your elevator pitch. Share what drives you, what you’re great at, and what kind of opportunities excite you. Keep it authentic and conversational. 📌 3. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties In your experience section, focus on impact. Use metrics when possible: “Increased customer retention by 30% through revamped onboarding strategy.” 📸 4. Use a Professional Photo It doesn’t have to be studio-quality, but it should be clear, friendly, and appropriate for your industry. 💬 5. Engage! Comment on posts, share insights, and celebrate others. The more active you are, the more visible you become. Your LinkedIn profile is your digital handshake—make it count! 💡 What’s one thing you’ve done to make your profile stand out? Drop it in the comments! #LinkedInTips #CareerGrowth #JobSearch #RecruiterAdvice #PersonalBranding #TalentAcquisition

Dear job seekers, if you’re wondering why your LinkedIn isn’t getting recruiter attention - here’s what actually makes a difference (and got me real interview calls): You don’t need to send 100 connection requests a day. → You need a profile that speaks for you - one that clearly shows your impact, skills, and achievements. You don’t need to copy someone else’s headline. → You need a keyword-rich headline that defines who you are and what you do - in just one line. Example: “Product Manager | AI Strategy | Data-Driven Growth.” You don’t need to write essays in your About section. → You need a compelling story - start strong, show measurable results, and let your achievements do the talking. You don’t need to add every skill you’ve ever learned. → You need relevant, updated skills - the ones that match your target roles and show depth, not quantity. You don’t need to upload fancy designs or videos. → You need a clean profile photo with a professional background and a banner that reflects your personal brand. You don’t need to chase every certification trend. → You need to add certifications that align with your goals - AI, data, or management from platforms like Coursera or Udemy. You don’t need to fill your experience section with job duties. → You need to show impact - use metrics like “Increased efficiency by 30%” or “Led a team of 5 engineers.” You don’t need a thousand recommendations. → You need a few strong ones that showcase leadership, teamwork, and tangible results. You don’t need to wait until graduation to build credibility. → You need to showcase projects, articles, or key certifications and make them visible on your profile. You don’t need to disappear for months. → You need to stay active weekly. Comment, share insights, or engage with industry content - visibility builds opportunity. You don’t need to guess what recruiters search for. → You need to research keywords from job descriptions and naturally add them to your headline, summary, and experience. You don’t need to change jobs to look relevant. → You need to keep your profile updated every 3-6 months - your achievements evolve, and so should your LinkedIn. And remember - recruiters do not look for perfection. They look for clarity, consistency, and confidence. So build a profile that reflects who you are, what you’ve achieved, and where you’re headed. If this post spoke to you and you’re serious about landing your dream role, check out my Job Hunting Accelerator - where we optimize your LinkedIn, resume, and strategy together step by step. Join 4,000+ students and professionals already inside: https://lnkd.in/gJat_txb