LinkedIn surpassed 1 billion members in late‑2024, and its AI‑driven Recruiter search now ranks profiles on relevance rather than recency alone. To stay visible, you need more than a polished headshot—you need strategic keywords, engaging media, and a consistent content cadence.
📊 Quick Stat: 87% of recruiters say LinkedIn is their primary source for vetting candidates (Jobvite, 2024).
Follow this 15‑point checklist, complete with pro tips and tool links, to turn your profile into a recruiter magnet.
1. Secure a Custom URL
Format: linkedin.com/in/firstname‑lastname‑keyword (e.g., gokul‑prem‑product‑manager).
Shortens links on your CV and boosts SEO.
2. Craft an AI‑Friendly Headline (220 chars)
Formula: Target Job Title + Specialty / Niche + Outcome or Key Metric
Example: "Product Manager | Generative AI & FinTech | Scaled ARR 3× to $4.2M."
Headline Tips
- Front‑load the exact job title for recruiter keyword match.
- Use separators (| • —) to improve skimmability.
3. Upload a Professional, On‑Brand Photo
- Resolution: 800 × 800 px (min 400 × 400).
- Neutral background or subtle brand color backdrop.
- Use 60–70% face cropping for approachability.
4. Design a Scroll‑Stopping Banner
Dimensions: 1584 × 396 px. Add:
- Tagline or mission statement.
- Brand colors or subtle pattern.
- Product screenshot or conference photo (right‑hand safe zone).
5. Write a Magnetic "About" Section (2,600 chars)
- Hook (3 lines): Spark curiosity with a mission statement.
- Achievement Blocks (3–4): Start each with a power verb + metric.
- Tech & Domain Stack: Bullet hard skills + tools.
- Personal Note: 1 sentence on hobbies or volunteer work.
- CTA: Invite connection or email.
💡 SEO Tip: Repeat your target job title 2–3× naturally (every 300 words).
6. Insert Relevant Keywords Strategically
- Profile Headline
- About Section
- Job Titles & Synonyms (Product Lead / PM)
- Skills Section (add up to 50)
7. Populate the Featured Section with Proof
Show, don't tell: whitepapers, portfolio links, press mentions, or a link to your JobAlchemy CV.
8. Bullet Your Experience—Not Job Descriptions
- Use reverse‑chronological order.
- 3–5 bullets per role; each starts with a power verb + metric.
- Include 2‑line description of company if start‑up.
9. Showcase Skills & Collect Endorsements
- Pin top 3 skills—choose role‑defining ones.
- Aim for 30+ endorsements each; ask colleagues after successful projects.
10. Gather Value‑Rich Recommendations
- Request from managers, peers, direct reports, clients.
- Suggest they cite a concrete project + result.
11. Activate Creator Mode with Purpose
- Choose 5 niche hashtags (e.g., #ProductOps, #GenAI).
- Boosts reach of your long‑form posts and newsletters.
12. Build a 30‑Day Content Calendar
| Frequency | Post Type | Idea Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1×/wk | Thought‑leadership | "3 lessons from scaling XYZ feature to 1M users" |
| 1×/wk | Carousel / How‑to | "Roadmap planning in 5 steps" |
| 2×/mo | Industry news + POV | Commentary on Gartner or CB Insights report |
Use JobAlchemy Scheduler to auto‑queue content at peak times.
13. Engage Daily—15 Minutes Max
- Comment on 5 relevant posts with insights.
- Reply to DMs within 48 hrs.
- Congratulate peers on achievements.
14. Leverage Analytics
Track Profile Views, Search Appearances, and Top Keywords weekly; iterate headline and skills accordingly.
15. Turn On "Open to Work" Wisely
- Select "Recruiters only" if currently employed.
- Add a custom note (40 chars): "Exploring Sr PM roles in FinTech | UAE relocation ready."