We live in an era of widespread expansion of digital communications and countless opportunities made possible by the Internet.

In this regard, it is safe to say that social networks have significantly transformed our present and introduced new forms of interaction. Consequently, daily life continues to evolve – and not just in small ways.

Business models, hiring methods, and career development approaches are also changing.

With the arrival of the LinkedIn social network, it has become much easier for individuals to present themselves to the business world. A profile on this platform has practically replaced the old-fashioned exchange of business information via printed business cards and similar methods.

In the following sections, you will learn more about how to create a high-quality LinkedIn profile that will be both visible and useful to viewers.

Upload a professional business photograph to your profile

Although some companies follow a policy of excluding photographs from CVs so that HR professionals assess candidates solely on skills rather than appearance, LinkedIn operates by completely different rules.

Since this is a social network, people need to see you and form a visual impression. Avoid casual snapshots from everyday life, nights out, beach trips, or similar settings – those are better suited to other platforms.

Select a high-resolution photograph in which you appear approachable yet professional – without stiffness. The background should be a solid color, preferably white.

It is also advisable to add a cover image that visually enhances your profile and makes it more engaging for visitors. Here, you can be a bit more creative by combining the image with an inspiring thought or quotation.

Tell viewers more about yourself

Your LinkedIn profile is a type of online CV, but it is also much more than that.

This is the ideal platform for business professionals to share more about themselves and connect with others with similar professional interests. If you are a recent graduate seeking employment, this is the perfect opportunity to promote yourself to recruiters at major companies.

On the other hand, if you are already experienced and hold a strong position in your company, this is your chance to connect with younger professionals, share your expertise, or even create connections that could help you expand your business.

For these reasons, it is essential to provide precise information about your career path and achievements.

How to showcase your skills via LinkedIn

When listing your current role, always include detailed information about your responsibilities and contributions.

Be sure to specify your current industry, location, and exact job title, as these are parameters that recruiters often use when searching for candidates.

Formal education is another important element to include, but do not overlook the section for listing certificates from training courses.

Volunteer work is especially valued by HR professionals – it demonstrates genuine passion for your field.

Engage with connections and build your credibility

If you want to remain visible on LinkedIn, you need to share posts that are both visually appealing and informative.

Stay up to date on current events, especially those related to your industry, and try to offer rational, thoughtful commentary.

You can strengthen your credibility by requesting and giving relevant recommendations.

To do this, visit the person’s profile, click the “More” button, and follow the prompts. Mention the type of collaboration you had and the position you held at the time.

Keywords matter on LinkedIn

Just as keywords are crucial for positioning and search on Google, they are equally important on LinkedIn.

This is another reason to complete your profile clearly and precisely. For example, in the “Skills” section, you can list up to 50 abilities – making it easier for recruiters to find you when searching for specific expertise.

By doing so, you increase your chances of appearing in search results for those looking to fill open positions.

Complete the “About” section and share more about yourself

One of the most common mistakes LinkedIn users make is leaving the “About” section blank.

Take the time to make this section compelling and capture the recruiter’s attention. You don’t need to repeat what you’ve already mentioned elsewhere – instead, use this space to show personality and present yourself as the ideal choice.

A thought-provoking statement, an interesting question, or a topic for reflection are all good ideas for filling out your “About” section – and an opportunity to show you put in extra effort.

Finally, leave a phone number or a link to your website if you have one, to make it easier for people to reach you.

How to further strengthen your LinkedIn profile

The “Profile strength” indicator shows how complete your profile is. Often, the marker sits in the middle of the scale, indicating average status. By following the tips provided here, you will likely be able to boost your visibility.

You can strengthen your profile by:

• adding publications, if you have any;
• joining groups with people you want to connect with;
• following individuals and companies that share your values;
• listing all foreign languages you speak.

A complete LinkedIn profile should include:

• a profile photograph;
• industry and location;
• current position;
• two previous positions, if applicable;
• education;
• three skills;
• 50 or more connections.

These are the essential elements needed to launch a successful profile.

How the LinkedIn algorithm works

Like other social networks, LinkedIn has its own algorithm responsible for delivering relevant content to users based on their previous activity.

The algorithm changes over time, introducing new rules – but certain observations can be made about key factors:

Most effective content types:

• photographs, polls, documents;
• polls have a 450% greater reach than other content;
• documents have a 250% greater reach;
• text posts with multiple photos have a 150% greater reach.

Value of links in posts:

• posts without links perform better than those with links;
• their reach is six times greater;
• posts without links are shared less but receive far more reactions and comments;
• placing links in comments greatly increases interaction.

Commenting, editing, and sharing:

• commenting on others’ posts boosts their reach more than simply sharing them;
• commenting first on your own post reduces its visibility by 20%;
• a second post on the same day reduces the visibility of the first;
• editing a post within the first hour after publishing is not recommended;
• sharing someone else’s post without adding your own context does not improve reach.

These insights are based on research and practice, but they should be treated as guidelines rather than strict rules. It’s best to follow current trends and update your profile accordingly.