The Complete LinkedIn Profile Checklist for Job Seekers

Your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression a recruiter forms of you — sometimes before they even open your resume.

Key elements to optimize: a professional headshot, a headline that goes beyond your job title, a keyword-rich 'About' section written in first person, quantified achievements under each role, and skills endorsed by real connections.

Turning on the 'Open to Work' setting (visible to recruiters only) and engaging with industry content regularly can also meaningfully increase profile views and inbound recruiter messages.