linkedin-profile-optimizer

---
name: linkedin-profile-optimizer
description: Optimize a LinkedIn profile for searchability, recruiter visibility, and engagement. Use when the user mentions LinkedIn profile, headline, About section, recruiter visibility, or social hiring.
---

# LinkedIn Profile Optimizer

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user wants to:
- Optimize their LinkedIn profile for job searching
- Improve LinkedIn visibility and searchability
- Sync their resume with their LinkedIn profile
- Attract recruiters and job opportunities
- Mentions: "LinkedIn", "LinkedIn profile", "optimize LinkedIn", "LinkedIn headline", "recruiter"

## Core Capabilities

- Optimize headline for searchability
- Write compelling About/Summary sections
- Structure Experience section for impact
- Improve profile completeness score
- Add relevant keywords for recruiter searches
- Align LinkedIn with resume while leveraging platform differences

## LinkedIn vs. Resume: Key Differences

| Aspect | Resume | LinkedIn |
|--------|--------|----------|
| Length | 1-2 pages | Unlimited |
| Tone | Formal | More conversational |
| Keywords | Job-specific | Industry-wide |
| Audience | One specific employer | All recruiters |
| Updates | Per application | Always current |
| Personality | Minimal | Show more |

## Profile Section Optimization

### 1. Profile Photo

**Requirements:**
- Professional headshot (not casual photo)
- Face takes up 60% of frame
- Neutral or branded background
- Good lighting, high resolution
- Appropriate attire for your industry
- Friendly expression (slight smile)

**Impact:** Profiles with photos get 21x more views

### 2. Background Banner

**Best Practices:**
- Use a professional design or industry-related image
- Can include personal branding elements
- Size: 1584 x 396 pixels
- Avoid busy patterns that distract from your photo

**Options:**
- Company brand (if appropriate)
- Industry-related imagery
- Professional abstract design
- Personal brand statement

### 3. Headline (Most Important for Searchability)

**Character Limit:** 220 characters

**Formula:** [Role] | [Key Expertise] | [Value Proposition]

**Examples:**

❌ **Weak Headlines:**
- "Looking for opportunities"
- "Unemployed Product Manager"
- "Student at University"
- "Open to work"

✅ **Strong Headlines:**
```
Senior Product Manager | B2B SaaS | Driving 0→1 Products from Concept to $10M ARR

Data Scientist | Machine Learning & Analytics | Turning Data into Business Decisions

Software Engineer | Python, AWS, Kubernetes | Building Scalable Systems at Fortune 500

Marketing Director | Growth & Brand Strategy | 3x Revenue Growth at Series B Startups
```

**Keyword Strategy:**
Include terms recruiters search for:
- Your job title (and variations)
- Key skills (languages, tools, methodologies)
- Industry terms
- Certifications

### 4. About Section (Summary)

**Character Limit:** 2,600 characters
**Recommended Length:** 1,500-2,000 characters (3-5 paragraphs)

**Structure:**

```
[HOOK - Compelling first line that shows up in preview]

[PARAGRAPH 1: Who you are and what you do]

[PARAGRAPH 2: Your key achievements and specialties]

[PARAGRAPH 3: What you're looking for or passionate about]

[SKILLS LIST: Core competencies, searchable keywords]

[CALL TO ACTION: How to reach you]
```

**Example:**

```
I help SaaS companies turn product ideas into revenue.

For the past 8 years, I've been building products that people actually want to use. From a payments platform that processed $50M monthly to a developer tool used by 100K+ engineers, I've led cross-functional teams from idea to launch and beyond.

What I do best:
→ Transform ambiguous customer problems into clear product roadmaps
→ Build and lead high-performing product teams
→ Drive growth through data-informed decision making
→ Bridge technical and business stakeholders

Currently, I'm a Senior Product Manager at [Company], where I lead our API platform serving 500+ enterprise customers. Previously, I led product at [Previous Company] through their Series B and 10x growth.

Key skills: Product Strategy, Roadmap Planning, Agile/Scrum, User Research, A/B Testing, SQL, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Management, B2B SaaS, API Products

Let's connect! I'm always happy to chat about product, SaaS, or career advice for aspiring PMs. Reach me at [email].
```

**First Line is Crucial:**
Only ~300 characters show before "see more" - make them count!

### 5. Experience Section

**Key Differences from Resume:**
- Can be longer and more detailed
- Should include media (presentations, links)
- Can show personality
- Update regularly (not just when job hunting)

**For Each Role Include:**
- Clear job title
- Company (with logo linked)
- Date range
- Location
- Description (2-3 sentences about the role)
- 4-6 bullet points with achievements
- Media attachments if available

**Example:**

```
Senior Product Manager
TechCorp Inc. · Full-time
Jan 2021 - Present · 3 yrs 1 mo
San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

Leading product strategy for TechCorp's API Platform, serving 500+ enterprise customers and generating $20M ARR.

• Grew platform revenue from $5M to $20M ARR by launching 3 new product lines and expanding into enterprise segment
• Led cross-functional team of 15 (engineering, design, data) to deliver 25+ features with 95% on-time delivery rate  
• Improved customer retention from 82% to 94% through proactive feature development based on usage analytics
• Established product analytics framework using Amplitude, increasing feature adoption by 40%
• Collaborated with sales team to close 50+ enterprise deals worth $10M+ by participating in technical sales calls

Skills: Product Management · B2B SaaS · API Design · Agile Methodology · Stakeholder Management
```

### 6. Skills Section

**Strategy:**
- List up to 50 skills (use all 50!)
- Order by relevance and endorsements
- Get endorsements for top skills
- Include both technical and soft skills

**Categories to Include:**
- Job-specific skills (Product Management, Data Analysis)
- Tools (JIRA, Salesforce, Python)
- Methodologies (Agile, Six Sigma)
- Soft skills (Leadership, Communication)
- Industry terms (B2B, SaaS, Enterprise)

**Top 3 Featured Skills:**
Choose your three most important, most endorsed skills

### 7. Featured Section

**Use For:**
- Portfolio pieces
- Published articles
- Presentations
- Media coverage
- Important posts
- Project highlights

**Why It Matters:**
Appears prominently on profile - showcase your best work

### 8. Recommendations

**Target:** 5-10 quality recommendations

**Best Sources:**
- Former managers
- Direct reports
- Cross-functional partners
- Clients/customers

**How to Get Them:**
1. Give recommendations first
2. Ask specific people directly
3. Make it easy - suggest talking points
4. Time it right (after successful project)

## Keyword Optimization

### Finding Keywords
1. Search job descriptions for your target role
2. Look at profiles of people in roles you want
3. Use LinkedIn's Skills section suggestions
4. Check industry publications for terminology

### Keyword Placement
Place keywords in:
- Headline (highest weight)
- About section (multiple times naturally)
- Experience descriptions
- Skills section
- Recommendations (ask recommenders to use)

### Search Algorithm Tips
- Exact matches matter (use exact phrases)
- Keyword density helps (repeat important terms)
- Recent activity boosts visibility
- Complete profiles rank higher
- Engagement increases reach

## Profile Completeness Checklist

**All-Star Profile Requirements:**
- ✅ Professional photo
- ✅ Custom headline (not just job title)
- ✅ Current position with description
- ✅ Two past positions
- ✅ Education
- ✅ At least 5 skills
- ✅ Industry and postal code
- ✅ 50+ connections

**Beyond All-Star:**
- ✅ Custom background banner
- ✅ Featured section populated
- ✅ About section (1500+ characters)
- ✅ Rich media in Experience
- ✅ 500+ connections
- ✅ Recommendations (5+)
- ✅ All 50 skills listed
- ✅ Volunteer experience
- ✅ Certifications

## Recruiter Visibility Settings

### Open to Work Feature
**Settings to configure:**
- Job titles you're interested in
- Location preferences
- Start date
- Job types (full-time, contract, etc.)

**Visibility Options:**
- All LinkedIn members (shows green badge)
- Recruiters only (hidden, more discreet)

### Profile Visibility
Ensure these are ON:
- Profile viewing options: Show full profile
- Sharing profile edits: Your choice
- Represent in LinkedIn Services: ON (if relevant)

## Content Strategy

### Why Post Content?
- Increases profile visibility
- Demonstrates expertise
- Builds personal brand
- Attracts opportunities

### Content Types:
1. Industry insights/opinions
2. Professional lessons learned
3. Career milestones
4. Helpful resources
5. Engagement with others' content

### Posting Frequency:
- Minimum: 1x per week
- Optimal: 3-5x per week
- Comment/engage: Daily

## Output Format

When optimizing a LinkedIn profile:

```markdown
# LINKEDIN PROFILE OPTIMIZATION

## Current Profile Assessment
**Completeness:** X%
**Searchability Score:** X/10
**Key Issues:** [List]

## Optimized Sections

### Headline
**Current:** [Their current headline]
**Optimized:** [New headline with keywords]

### About Section
[Full optimized About section text]

### Experience Improvements
**[Company Name]**
- Add: [Suggested additions]
- Modify: [Suggested changes]
- Media to add: [Suggestions]

### Skills to Add
[List of skills to add based on target roles]

### Keywords Integrated
[List of keywords added throughout profile]

## Action Items
1. [ ] Update headline
2. [ ] Rewrite About section
3. [ ] Update current role description
4. [ ] Add X skills
5. [ ] Request X recommendations
6. [ ] Add featured content
7. [ ] Upload professional photo
```

## Resume-to-LinkedIn Sync

### What to Keep the Same:
- Core achievements and metrics
- Job titles and dates
- Key skills and qualifications
- Overall career narrative

### What to Expand:
- More detail in descriptions
- Additional context
- More bullets per role
- Personality and voice

### What to Adjust:
- Tone (more conversational)
- Length (can be longer)
- Keywords (broader than job-specific)
- Call to action (add contact info)