Job search · 4 min read

LinkedIn profile checklist: 15 things to fix before you apply for jobs

Updated October 2026 · By the ClaudeCV Editorial Team

Recruiters use LinkedIn as a search engine. They type in a job title, a skill or a location, and the platform ranks profiles based on how well they match. If your profile is thin or vague, you may never show up. Use this checklist to make your profile easier to find and more convincing once someone lands on it.

1. Use a clear, friendly profile photo

Choose a recent photo where your face is visible, with good lighting and a simple background. You do not need a professional studio shot; a clear photo taken by a friend is fine. Dress as you would for the kind of role you want.

2. Write a headline with keywords

Your headline appears everywhere: search results, comments and messages. Do not leave it as just your job title or write "seeking opportunities". Combine your role with two or three key skills, such as "Data Analyst | SQL, Python, Power BI | Healthcare analytics". This tells both people and the search algorithm exactly what you do.

3. Add a banner image

A background banner is a small touch that makes the profile look finished. Use a simple image related to your field or a clean color with your specialty.

4. Customize your profile URL

Change the default web address to something short with your name, such as linkedin.com/in/firstname-lastname. It looks cleaner on your resume and email signature.

5. Write a real About section

Open with what you do and for whom in the first two lines, because only the start shows before "see more". Then cover your strengths, notable results and what you are looking for. Write in the first person and in plain language. Include relevant keywords naturally, and end with a way to contact you.

6. Describe your experience with results

For each job, write a short description of your role and two to five bullets on achievements. Use numbers where you can: revenue, time saved, people managed, customers served. Avoid copying your resume word for word, but keep the facts consistent across both.

7. Fill in the skills section

Add the skills relevant to the jobs you want, up to the limit LinkedIn allows. Pin the top three that matter most. Skills are one of the main fields recruiters filter by, so include tools, methods and specialties, not just soft skills.

8. Add education, certifications and courses

List degrees, professional certifications and relevant courses. These can help you appear in searches and prove you keep learning.

9. Ask for recommendations

A few genuine recommendations from managers, colleagues or clients add credibility. Ask politely, remind the person of a project you worked on, and offer to write one in return.

10. Collect a few endorsements and give some

Endorsements are lightweight, but they show that others recognize your skills. Endorse colleagues honestly, and many will reciprocate.

11. Turn on the right settings

Use the setting that signals to recruiters you are open to work, and choose who can see it. If you are employed and want discretion, you can limit visibility to recruiters only. Also set your preferred job titles, locations and work arrangements.

12. Show your location and industry accurately

Recruiters filter by location and industry. If you are open to relocation or remote work, mention it in your About section.

13. Feature your best work

Use the Featured section to link to a portfolio, article, project, presentation or case study. It gives visitors a quick view of what you can do beyond a job title.

14. Be active in small, useful ways

You do not need to become an influencer. Comment thoughtfully on posts in your field, share an article with a sentence of insight, or post about a project you completed. A few interactions each week keep your profile visible and show your expertise.

15. Check consistency and spelling

Compare your LinkedIn dates, titles and companies with your resume. Inconsistent facts raise doubts. Proofread everything, including your headline and skills.

Bonus: connect strategically

Connect with colleagues, classmates, industry contacts and recruiters in your field. Add a short note when you send a request. A larger network increases your reach and the chance that someone can refer you.

Before and after: a headline and About section

The following is an illustrative example of how a profile can be improved.

Before: "Marketing professional | Seeking new opportunities"

After: "Content Marketing Manager | SEO, Email, B2B SaaS | Grew organic traffic 3x in 18 months"

The second headline names the role, the skills recruiters search for and a result. The first one reads like a placeholder.

About section, weak version: "I am a passionate and hardworking professional with a strong work ethic looking for new challenges."

About section, stronger version: "I help software companies turn blog readers into customers. Over the past six years I have led content strategy for two SaaS businesses, building teams of writers and running experiments on headlines, email sequences and landing pages. Recently I rebuilt our resource library, which lifted organic sign-ups by about 40 percent. I enjoy working with sales and product teams to make marketing useful. Open to senior content roles. You can reach me at the email below."

Notice how specific details and a clear direction make the stronger version easy to remember.

A 30-minute weekly routine

10 minutes: comment on two posts from people in your field with a useful thought, not just "great post".
10 minutes: send two connection requests with a short personal note.
10 minutes: update one profile element, such as a project link or a new skill.

Doing this for a month builds visibility without taking over your life.

Privacy and safety tips

Check what your profile shows publicly, avoid posting sensitive personal data, and be careful when messages from strangers request personal information or offer jobs that sound too good. If a recruiter asks for money, stop the conversation.

Final thoughts

A strong profile is not about perfection; it is about being clear and searchable. Set aside an hour to work through this checklist, then revisit your profile every few months. Update it whenever you complete a project, learn a new skill or change roles, so it always reflects your current value.