Preparing Your LinkedIn Profile for a Job Search: Tips 1-5

Five First Steps

If you're gearing up for a job change or actively searching for new opportunities, one of the first things you need to tackle is getting your LinkedIn profile in top shape. While it may seem like common sense, even the basics are often overlooked. Here are five essential first steps to ensure your LinkedIn profile is working for you, not against you.

1. Control Your Profile Updates

Before you start making changes, manage your profile update visibility. You don't want your current colleagues or boss to see every tweak you make, especially if you’re still employed.

Here’s how:

• Tap the "Me" icon on LinkedIn, then go to Settings.
• Navigate to Visibility and find Visibility of your LinkedIn activity.
• Toggle Share profile updates with your network to Off.

This keeps your edits private until you're ready to share your updated profile with the world. Once everything is polished, you can turn this setting back on to let your network know you’re open to new opportunities.

2. Ensure Consistency Between Your CV and LinkedIn Profile

Nothing kills credibility faster than inconsistent details between your CV and LinkedIn profile. Dates, job titles, employer names, and qualifications should all match. Inconsistencies raise red flags with recruiters, making them question your accuracy and attention to detail.

Take a few minutes to cross-check your LinkedIn profile against your CV. This small effort can save you from appearing careless or, worse, dishonest.

3. Add a Professional Profile Photograph

Your LinkedIn profile photo is a powerful tool. According to LinkedIn, having a profile picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed.

Keep it simple: a clear, head-and-shoulders shot against a plain background works best. Choose color over black and white, and don't forget to smile—people respond positively to a friendly face.

Skip the vacation shots and heavily filtered selfies. Your photo is a key element of your personal brand, so make sure it’s appropriate and professional.

4. Double-Check Spelling and Punctuation

This one’s obvious, but crucial: spelling and punctuation need to be correct across every section of your LinkedIn profile. A single typo might not seem like a big deal, but it can be the difference between a recruiter reaching out or moving on to the next candidate.

After reviewing your profile, ask a friend, family member, or colleague to proofread it. A fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes you might overlook.

5. Update Job Descriptions When Changing Roles

When you add a new job to your LinkedIn profile, don’t forget to update the descriptions for your previous roles. I often see profiles where past job descriptions are still written in the present tense—a clear sign of sloppiness.

For example, a description that starts with, "In my role at [Company], I am responsible for..." doesn’t reflect that you’ve moved on. This kind of oversight signals a lack of attention to detail—definitely not the impression you want to make.

Take the time to revise past job descriptions to reflect your current status. It’s a small but essential step in presenting a polished, professional image.

Taking these five first steps after preparing your LinkedIn profile can make a huge difference in how you're perceived by potential employers. Start with these basics, and you’ll be well on your way to standing out in your job search.

#JobSearchTips #LinkedInTips #CareerAdvice #JobHunting #ProfessionalDevelopment

Like this article if you found these tips helpful, and share your own LinkedIn prep tips in the comments below!

Image by Andrew Neel on Unsplash