What Recruiters Look For on LinkedIn

What Recruiters Look For on LinkedIn

When was the last time you polished up your LinkedIn profile?

It’s pretty common to only update your LinkedIn profile when you’re job searching, or starting a new position. Most people don’t think about it much—if you’re happily employed, why would it matter? Aside from the fact that employment circumstances can change at any time, having an updated LinkedIn profile makes it easier for professionals to reach out to you about opportunities in your field and build your thought leadership and credibility within your niche.   

Instead of viewing your profile as something static to be updated during times of transition, it’s wise to think of it as a LIVING DOCUMENT that reflects your professional experience and your ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Even if you’re happily employed, chances are, you will be interested in having a brief conversation with a reputable recruiter about the right opportunity. So, unless you’re 100% sure that you will never leave your current job under any circumstances, it’s a smart practice to keep an active and up to date LinkedIn profile.

As a career recruiter, here are some of the things I look for:

A clear and carefully curated TITLE. Take a moment to think about the recruiter doing a search in LinkedIn. What is the first thing they see after your photo? Your TITLE. Do the words you have chosen clearly articulate your function? Or have you used subjective words/opinions that attempt to describe you? For example:

• Director Product Management or
• Enthusiastic Leader Working on Solutions in an Agile Model

To summarize, keep your title clear, concise and therefore most likely to be included in a key-word search someone is doing to find someone like you!

A good and clear headshot. I know, we all say that we shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover—but at the end of the day, that’s just human nature. Use a headshot that is clear, well-lit, in focus, and smiling. A broody, expressionless photo or a photo of you at your wedding, might not get you disqualified from a search, but it will be considered "odd".

My advice to anyone who needs to refresh the photo is to keep it simple: face the window so you're looking at natural light , smile, take the photo. Double check that the background isn't cluttered or distracting.

A profile that is geared toward accomplishments, not just responsibilities. I look for candidates who “care enough about what they do to brag a little.” Instead of just listing your day to day tasks (like on a job description), think about what you’ve achieved, and highlight that.

This is the most important part about a LinkedIn profile because as a person scanning through many, I'm looking for the person who stands out from the masses by what they have... get ready for it: ACCOMPLISHED.

A work history of progressive experience. Recruiters are looking for evidence that you’ve had increasing responsibilities and accomplishments in your career. What is the story that your experience tells? When executive recruiters send your resume to their clients, they include a profile that tells your story and highlights your accomplishments. So a LinkedIn job history that shows a logical progression of accomplishments is a great way to get them interested.

Clarity and accuracy in your dates of employment. As recently as this week, we received a resume of a candidate whose dates on their resume and their LinkedIn were different, which cast confusion and concern. Assume a person reviewing your resume WILL also review your LinkedIn profile, and the two need to tell the same story.

Regarding the profile of someone with frequent job changes: a specialized recruiting firm usually has a finger on the pulse of what’s happening, and will recognize companies that have been through recent upheaval. They won’t penalize you for getting downsized after an acquisition, or caught up in some well-known corporate politics.

Speaking of adding clarity: many tech professionals, especially Product Managers and Designers are active as volunteers, consultants or have side hustles. How these are presented on LinkedIn is important to reduce confusion. Most likely, your employment experience is the reason someone will be reviewing your profile. The value you being to your employer should not be diluted when introducing anything else as "employment".

Keywords are helpful, especially for technical professionals. Include the programming languages you’re fluent in, the tech stacks you’re a wizard with, and the methodologies you use regularly—and make it easy for recruiters to find you for relevant roles. Occasionally, clients will ask for credentials like a MBA or other advanced degree, so if you have one, make sure to include it!

Double check your contact info: It's surprising how many people have outdated contact info in their LinkedIn accounts. Double check whether an old cell number or worse: landline, is still listed. The email address you include in LinkedIn should be one you actually use AND designers should always include a link to their current portfolio.

Recruiters are looking to get a sense of your personality and tone, and for an overall sense of your professional story so far. Each client has a distinct company culture, and they are looking for signs that you’ll fit. What do you post about? Do you describe yourself in a lighthearted way, or is it all business? There are no right or wrong answers here—the overall flavour of your profile will be a result of the industries you work in, your experience, and your personality—so don’t try to fake it. Just be yourself.

Keeping your LinkedIn profile fresh and up to date is a great practice to adopt. At the end of each quarter, think about your accomplishments in your role and update your profile to reflect them. What do you want to be known for as a professional? Update your tagline and summary to communicate your expertise. Did you receive any professional certifications, or speak at any industry events? Don’t be shy about sharing them!

Recruiters look at hundreds of LinkedIn profiles and resumes each week, and LinkedIn is often the first place they go to find candidates for their clients. Even if you’re not actively looking for a new role, it’s smart to make it easy for recruiters to find you—your next opportunity might just land in your inbox as a result.