Prioritizing Relevant Content in LinkedIn Profiles

I’ve optimized 300+ LinkedIn profiles—and this is where almost everyone goes wrong: (Even my clients—Fortune 500 execs, bestselling authors, and top keynote speakers—struggle with this.) If your Experience section reads like a job description, you’re losing clients, leads, and career momentum. Basically: you could be missing out on huge opportunities. Because LinkedIn is 𝘯𝘰𝘵 a job board. It's a search engine. And your Experience section? It's one of the most powerful ways to: → Rank in search → Show proof of work → Build authority → Attract real opportunities But most people get this section completely wrong. They list responsibilities, not results. They write in résumé speak, not human language. They forget keywords entirely. So let’s fix that. Here’s the framework I use when writing Experience sections for my clients: 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥+𝗞 S – Situation: What challenge were you stepping into? T – Task: What were you responsible for? A – Action: What did you do and how did you approach it? R – Result: What transformation did you create? +K – Keywords: What skills and terms should be included to boost searchability? 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: Stepped into a brand with low engagement and flatlining sales. Launched a LinkedIn-led content and ad strategy that increased traffic by 70% and added $1.2M in new revenue. Led a team of 4 and used tools like HubSpot, Meta Ads Manager, and GA4. Keywords: LinkedIn strategy, content marketing, B2B growth, lead generation This is how you turn a list of tasks into a magnetic, searchable proof of expertise. And here’s why it matters: → 95% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find and vet candidates (Jobvite) → Keyword-rich experience sections rank higher in search (LinkedIn Learning) → Profiles with 5+ skills are 33x more likely to get messaged (LinkedIn Talent Solutions) → Complete profiles get 21x more views and 36x more messages (LinkedIn Business) If your profile isn’t optimized, you're invisible. 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸: • Pick 1–2 roles to rewrite using the STAR+K framework • Add keywords naturally • Tag relevant skills (3–5 per role) • Bonus: Upload media or case studies to showcase your work Need help brainstorming keywords? Try this ChatGPT prompt: "I’m a [job title/industry]. What are 50 relevant LinkedIn keywords and skills people might search to find my profile?" Let’s make your work work 𝘧𝘰𝘳 you.

Recruiters spend 6 seconds on your LinkedIn profile. Most STEM women lose opportunities in those 6 seconds. Not because they're unqualified, but because their profile doesn't speak recruiter language. Your LinkedIn profile isn't a resume. It's a search result. And if recruiters can't find you or understand your value instantly, they move on. Here's how to optimize your profile so recruiters can't ignore you: 1/ Your Headline Isn't Just Your Job Title ❌ "Software Engineer at XYZ Corp" ✅ "Software Engineer | Python & Cloud Architecture | Building Scalable Solutions for FinTech" ↳ Use keywords recruiters search for ↳ Show your specialization, not just your role ↳ Make it clear what problems you solve 2/ Your About Section Should Answer One Question: "Why You?" ↳ Lead with your impact, not your job history ↳ Include 3-5 keywords naturally (the roles you want) ↳ End with a clear CTA: "Open to opportunities in [X]" 3/ Your Experience Section Needs Metrics, Not Tasks ❌ "Responsible for managing projects" ✅ "Led 3 cross-functional teams, reducing delivery time by 30% and cutting costs by $200K" ↳ Recruiters scan for results, not responsibilities ↳ Use numbers to prove impact 4/ Skills Section = Your SEO Strategy ↳ Add 20-50 relevant skills (recruiters search by these) ↳ Prioritize the top 3 skills you want to be known for ↳ Get endorsements from colleagues to boost credibility 5/ Turn On "Open to Work" (Even If You're Employed) ↳ Use the private setting if you're currently working ↳ Specify job titles, locations, and work types ↳ Recruiters filter by this—don't miss out Your LinkedIn profile is working for you 24/7. Make sure it's saying the right things when you're not in the room. Recruiters are searching right now. The question is: Will they find you? What's one thing you'll update on your LinkedIn profile this week? Follow @Prashha Dutra for more career strategies.

What You Need to Do with Your LinkedIn Profile In a market this competitive, every small detail counts. No single change will land you a job, but refining your materials once and focusing on outreach, relationships, and applications makes all the difference. More than half of the profiles I see need cleanup. Here is what you should do. • Have a custom banner and profile photo that stand out. Your banner is the first thing people see. Choose something personal and relevant to your work that reflects your professional identity. • Make your portfolio or website link easy to find. Add it in your Featured section, profile header, and About section. Do not hide it. Recruiters should reach your work in one click. If you have a premium account, use the custom link field at the top. If not, place your link at the start of your About section. • Keep your profile clean and readable. Simplicity shows professionalism. Avoid long paragraphs. Use short sentences and white space. Open your profile on your phone and ask yourself whether you would keep scrolling. • Write a headline that draws attention. Your headline is not just your title. It is a quick snapshot of who you are and what you bring. You can keep it simple or make it more human, such as “Game Producer helping teams build unforgettable worlds.” Think of it as your first line of connection. • Craft a concise, human About section. Summarize what you do, your main skills, and the impact you create. Do not just list tasks. End with a line that shows what drives you or what you love about your field. People remember people, not job descriptions. • Structure your Experience section for clarity and impact. Group related roles under the same organization and keep your total list to around ten entries. Use one or two short bullets for each position describing what you did and the results you achieved. Use action verbs and quantify where you can. Older roles can be summarized briefly once they are more than ten years old. • Avoid empty entries. Every role should have at least one line that explains what you did and why it mattered. Even short or contract roles deserve a description that shows your contribution. • Feature your strongest work. Use the Featured section to highlight up to ten items that best represent you. This can include projects, portfolios, or posts. Keep it focused so viewers leave your profile with a clear sense of your strengths. DON'T FORGET THESE LAST 2: • Show education, awards, and volunteer work. These details make your story complete and reveal values beyond your job titles. • Add relevant skills. Include the skills that match your target roles. This improves search visibility and helps recruiters understand your strengths. Do these things and your profile will instantly stand out in the crowd. Because remember, the person reading it is not just reading yours. They are reading hundreds, maybe thousands. Make yours memorable, efficient, and real.

During a recent corporate training, I asked everyone to pull up their LinkedIn profiles. A surprise for me? Almost half the group didn’t know there was a Featured section. (And yes, you have to add it manually. It isn't part of your default profile layout.) The Featured section is prime LinkedIn real estate, just after your About section and before people get to your post current posts. Think of it as your personal highlight reel. So what belongs there? It isn't necessarily your post that got the most impressions. What I recommend: If you’re in a corporate role: • An insightful post or article on a current industry relevant topic that showcases your knowledge and expertise • A press mention, podcast, or panel appearance • Important company news If you’re a business owner or consultant: • Your signature offer or free resource • Client success story or recommendations • A link to your newsletter or website If you haven’t set it up yet, consider this your friendly nudge. It's a low lift upgrade and instantly elevates your digital first impression. What’s the first thing you want people to see when they land on your profile?

5 things if you want premium clients as a freelancer- Your LinkedIn profile needs to do more than just look good, it needs to work like a funnel. Most freelancers optimize surface-level things (like a nice profile picture and catchy headline). But serious inbound leads come when your profile builds trust, authority, and clarity in seconds. Here’s how to go a level deeper: 🔹 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫: Don’t just say what you do. Say who you do it for, why it matters, and what specific transformation you bring. Generic = invisible. 🔹 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬: Add 2–3 results-focused case studies in your Featured section. Go beyond screenshots — show before-after, process, and client outcomes. This builds silent trust. 🔹 𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝: Client logos, media features, collaborations — anything that shows others trust you. 🔹 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 ‘𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭’ 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞: Hook with a pain point, build relevance, show authority, and end with a CTA. Treat it like a mini sales page — not an autobiography. 🔹 𝐏𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩: Your top 3 posts should reflect your positioning, voice, and value. First impressions aren’t just profile-based — they’re content-based too. Clients don’t just want skills — they want certainty. 👉 Your profile should quietly answer: Can this person solve my problem better than anyone else? Audit your profile today. Because opportunities won’t wait for you to 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲. #LinkedInGrowth #ProfileOptimization #LinkedInMarketing

If your content isn’t showing up for 3 weeks, that’s not a glitch, it’s the algorithm testing whether your ideas are worth waiting for. LinkedIn is no longer social media, it's a credibility test. If your content can’t stand the test of time, it won’t stand out at all. Most people are still treating LinkedIn like a newsfeed. But it’s not. It’s a knowledge engine. And that subtle shift changes everything about how you show up, build authority, and create lasting trust. Recently, LinkedIn's VP of Engineering, Tim Jurka, shared a key insight: their algorithm is no longer prioritizing what’s new, it’s prioritizing what’s useful. Not just for today, but for months from now. 👊 The goal is to surface the most relevant ideas at the moment someone needs them most. In his words, ‘LinkedIn is aiming to collect the sum total of professional knowledge and deliver it when it matters.’ That means posts you wrote weeks ago, even months ago, can still rise to the top of someone’s feed if the value holds up. If it helps them solve a problem and shifts the way they think. At StandOut Authority, we’ve been operating with this mindset long before the algorithm confirmed it. We don’t create content for a quick hit. We create conversations that compound. Thought that converts. Stories that scale trust. That’s what builds visibility without burning out. That’s how you create real authority, not noise. The professionals who win in this new era are not the ones who post the most. They are the ones who post with the most intention. Their content feels less like a broadcast and more like a body of work. It reflects their thinking, their values, and their ability to lead with clarity. So the next time you sit down to write something on LinkedIn, ask yourself this: Will this post still be useful to someone 3 months from now? If the answer is yes, you’re not just contributing to the algorithm. You’re contributing to someone’s growth. And that’s what real leadership looks like on this platform. #ContentStrategy #SocialMedia #Marketing #Leadership

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗹𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, and the changes are big, subtle, and everywhere. This is the clearest roadmap we’ve had for how the feed actually works. Here are the 6 findings that matter most. 1. 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 • It cares 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 about what you talk about. • Your posts, comments, and profile get sorted into topic clusters. • Your reach = your topics. 2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗺 • Every like, comment, follow is a signal. • You’re programming your reach. 3. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 • Random content confuses the system. • Stay on topic, and the model learns w̲h̲e̲r̲e̲ to surface your content. 4. 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 • LinkedIn’s AI reads your words. Not your videos. • Your headline, About section, posts, and comments shape your discoverability. 5. 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 • The system now helps sparse networks. • You don’t need a big following to grow. 6. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 • Skills, industry, job titles, certifications  • They all contribute to your reach. So what do you do with this? 🔸 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀. → Engage with posts in your expertise. → Your feed trains your reach. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁. → Write clearly. Use niche language.  → Dial down the corporate mush. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲. → The more data LinkedIn has, the more accurately it can surface you. 🔸 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 & 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁-𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀. → The first 40–60 words carry the most weight. → Lead with value. Not throat-clearing. 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 1–3 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘅. → Let the algorithm lock onto your expertise. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆. → Commenting in your niche strengthens your authority and widens your audience. 🔸 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. → Courses. Certifications. Projects. → Fresh profiles get priority. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁. → This signals relevance to recruiters 𝘢𝘯𝘥 to the algorithm. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁. → “Passionate about…” won’t get you surfaced. → “Program Manager, Workforce Development, AI-Skilled” will. 🎯 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 This isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about understanding how the system understands 𝘺𝘰𝘶. Align your profile, content, and engagement around the same topics. And get discovered faster. 💬 Which finding surprised you the most? ♻️ Share this to help your network. 🔔 Follow Tonya for creator-friendly AI insights.

Only 3% of LinkedIn users optimize their profiles for search. You don't have to be invisible on LinkedIn. Define what visibility looks like for you. Something you can leverage in 6 months from now with pride. Perhaps that's ranking #1 for your job title. Or appearing in search results for your niche skills. Or even becoming the go-to expert in your industry. Whichever path you choose, you're the one who decides. Here's why LinkedIn SEO matters: ▶️ 122 million people get invited to interview through LinkedIn each year. ▶️40 million people use LinkedIn to search for jobs each week. ▶️87% of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn. LinkedIn isn't just a social network. It's a search engine for professionals. And like any search engine, it has an algorithm. By optimizing your profile, you're not gaming the system. You're helping LinkedIn connect you with the right opportunities. Start with these simple steps: ➤ Use relevant keywords in your headline and about section ➤ Customize your URL to include your name ➤ Fill out all sections of your profile completely ➤ Engage regularly with content in your niche Remember: LinkedIn SEO isn't about tricking the algorithm. It's about clearly communicating your value to those searching for someone like you. Are you ready to be found? #LinkedInSEO #PersonalBranding #CareerGrowth

🚀 Want recruiters to come to you? 🚀 Recruiters are actively searching LinkedIn for their next hire, and with a few simple tweaks, you can make your profile stand out and attract the right opportunities. Here’s how to optimise your profile and boost your visibility: 1️⃣ Craft a Keyword-Rich Headline Your headline isn’t just your job title—it’s prime real estate to showcase your expertise and target role. Include relevant keywords that recruiters search for in your industry. 👉 Example: Instead of “Marketing Specialist,” try “Digital Marketing Specialist | SEO, Content Strategy, and Paid Campaigns Expert.” This adds clarity and helps you appear in more searches. 2️⃣ Optimise Your About Section with Results Tell a story about your career, but make it results-driven. Use metrics and action-oriented language to show your impact. 👉 Example: “Digital marketer with 7+ years of experience driving 35% growth in organic traffic through data-driven strategies. Passionate about using analytics and creativity to build high-converting campaigns.” Keep it concise but compelling. 3️⃣ Add Relevant Skills to Your Profile Recruiters often filter searches by skills, so make sure yours reflect the job you’re targeting. Prioritise in-demand hard skills and ensure they match the language of your industry. 👉 Example: For a software engineer, list “Python, Java, AWS, Machine Learning, Agile Methodologies.” This makes your profile more searchable. 4️⃣ Make Your Activity Visible and Engaging Recruiters notice profiles that are active and engaged. Comment on industry posts, share your thoughts on relevant trends, or even write short updates about your expertise. 👉 Example: Share a post like: “AI is transforming digital marketing in 2024. One key trend I’m seeing is hyper-personalized content powered by real-time data. What trends are you noticing?” This shows you’re plugged into your field. 💡 Final Tip: Your LinkedIn profile is your personal billboard. Keep it keyword-rich, results-driven, and active to stand out and attract the opportunities you deserve. For more in-depth tips, examples, and insights on how to optimise your LinkedIn profile, join a free webinar that Alan Stein and I are hosting tomorrow at 5 p.m UK time/6 p.m CET: https://lnkd.in/dNMW_G9C Hope to see you there!

I reviewed thousands of LinkedIn profiles when I was a recruiter. The best ones all had the same things Here’s my top 7 👇 1️⃣They followed this headline formula: [Target Job Title] | Years of Experience in [Target Sector/ Niche] | [3 High-Priority Keywords] | [Value Proposition]. I encourage 80-90% of my clients to use this because it gets results. Yes, it takes more thought, but recruiters/ hiring managers will find you faster, and the right opportunities will land in your inbox 2️⃣They started with their job title: No guesswork! If you’re a Software Engineer, say ‘Software Engineer.’ If you’re a Project Manager, be specific. Are you an IT Project Manager? A Construction Project Manager? Clarity is key, because if confused, the reader is gone. 3️⃣They highlighted years of experience: Employers often look for a specific number of years in the job ads, so make it easy for recruiters to see you fit their criteria. 4️⃣ They included high-priority keywords: This is where the magic of LinkedIn’s search engine kicks in. Use hard-skill, industry-specific keywords to make sure your profile shows up in search results. (think systems, tools, processes, etc.) 5️⃣They had a strong value proposition: This isn't going to help with search, but it will help you stand out once found. Something like ‘Helped grow revenue by 15% annually through optimized workflows’ shows you’re a candidate who delivers results, not just another resume. 6️⃣ They listed measurable achievements in their experience section: Numbers catch attention, so don’t just list your responsibilities—show your impact! 7️⃣They were active on LinkedIn: The best profiles were active. They posted content, commented, and engaged with others in their industry, staying visible and relevant. --- If you implement these tips, you’ll have recruiters finding you, and hiring managers will be eager to talk. 🚀 Want a deeper dive into creating a profile that attracts recruiters? I've shared a video in the comments 👇