Go Beyond Job Titles

• Don’t just write “Software Engineer” or “Accountant”.
• Add skills, expertise, and specialties recruiters search for.
• Example: “Software Engineer | Python, AI & Cloud Solutions | Driving Digital Transformation”

Use Industry Keywords

• Think like a recruiter: what words would they type to find someone like you?
• Add hard skills, certifications, or niche expertise.
• Example: “Chartered Accountant | IFRS, Budgeting & Financial Planning Expert”

Show Your Value Proposition

• Highlight how you add value or solve problems.
• Example: “Marketing Strategist | SEO & Paid Ads | Helping Brands Rank & Grow Online”

Keep It Professional & Concise

• Stay within 220 characters (LinkedIn’s headline limit).
• Avoid buzzwords like “Guru,” “Ninja,” “Rockstar”.
• Be clear, specific, and keyword-focused.

Start with Who You Are

• Begin with a short introduction: your profession, experience level, and areas of expertise.
• Example: “Finance professional with 10+ years of experience in budgeting, planning, and financial analysis across mining and industrial sectors.”

Highlight Key Achievements

• Mention 2–3 career highlights or results you’ve delivered.
• Use simple, measurable examples where possible.
• Example: “Improved accounts receivable collections cycle by 20% through process automation.”

Show Your Skills & Strengths

• Include industry-specific keywords (e.g., IFRS, ERP, project management, digital marketing, etc.).
• Keep the language simple and professional.

Add a Future-Focused Statement

• Share what roles, industries, or goals you are targeting.
• Example: “Currently focused on supporting organizations with financial planning and business performance management.”

Keep It Clear & Readable

• Use short paragraphs or bullet points.
• Avoid long blocks of text or heavy jargon.

Use Concise Job Titles

• Keep titles professional and ATS-friendly.
• Example: “Accounts Receivable Specialist” instead of “AR Guru.”

Write Short, Impactful Descriptions

• Avoid copy-pasting your full CV. Keep LinkedIn more concise.
• Aim for 3–5 bullet points per role.
• Example:
  • Managed full order-to-cash cycle, including billing, collections, and reconciliations.
  • Improved DSO (Days Sales Outstanding) by 15% through process improvements.
  • Prepared AR dashboards and cash flow forecasts for management review.

Focus on Achievements, Not Just Duties

• Highlight measurable results where possible.
• Example: Instead of “Handled customer billing,” write “Reduced billing errors by 20% through system validation checks.”

Add Keywords Naturally

• Include skills and tools used (e.g., Oracle, SAP, IFRS, financial analysis, project management).
• This boosts visibility in LinkedIn searches.

Show Career Growth

• Clearly display promotions or role changes within the same company.
• Example: Accountant → Senior Accountant → Finance Manager.

List Education Clearly

• Include degree, field of study, university, and location.
• Add dates if recent; for older qualifications, dates can be optional.
• Example: MBA in Finance & Accounting — Preston University, Islamabad.

Highlight Relevant Certifications

• Focus on certifications that are recognized and valued in your industry.
• Example: CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), IFRS Certification, PMP (Project Management Professional).

Use Standard Titles

• Write certifications exactly as employers search for them.
• Example: Use “Microsoft Excel – Advanced” instead of “Excel Mastery Workshop.”

Add Details Where Useful

• If a certification is highly relevant, briefly note the skills covered.
• Example: Exploration & Production Accounting (Level 1) – MDT International, UK: Focused on upstream oil & gas financial reporting.

Show Ongoing Development

• Add recent workshops, online courses, or seminars that strengthen your career profile.
• Employers value continuous learning.

Select the Right Keywords

• Choose skills that match your profession and target roles.
• Example for finance: Accounts Receivable, Budgeting, Financial Analysis, IFRS, ERP Systems.
• Example for marketing: SEO, Google Ads, Social Media Strategy, Content Marketing, Analytics.

Prioritize Top 3 Skills

• LinkedIn highlights your first three skills at the top.
• Place the most relevant, job-matching skills here.
• Example: Financial Analysis | Budgeting & Forecasting | ERP Systems

Avoid Overloading

• You can list up to 50 skills, but focus on quality over quantity.
• Too many unrelated skills can weaken your profile.

Align with Job Descriptions

• Review target job postings and mirror the keywords they use.
• Example: If a job mentions “Revenue Recognition”, add it as a skill.

Keep It Updated

• Add new skills as you gain certifications or responsibilities.
• Remove outdated or irrelevant skills.

Go to Profile Settings

• On your LinkedIn homepage, click on your profile photo.
• Select “View Profile.”
• On the right side, click “Edit public profile & URL.”

Edit Your URL

• On the top right, you’ll see “Edit your custom URL.”
• Click the pencil icon.

Choose a Professional Format

• Use your full name if available.
• Examples:
  • linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
  • linkedin.com/in/sarah-jones
• If your name is common, add a middle initial, profession, or location.
• Examples:
  • linkedin.com/in/johnsmith-finance
  • linkedin.com/in/sarahjones-marketing

Keep It Simple & Clear

• Avoid numbers, special characters, or random words.
• Stick to something professional and easy to remember.

Use a High-Quality Image

• Minimum resolution: 400 x 400 pixels.
• Avoid blurry, pixelated, or low-light photos.
• Keep it sharp, bright, and well-lit.

Dress Professionally

• Wear attire that matches your industry.
• Corporate roles: business formal (suit, shirt, blazer).
• Creative roles: smart-casual with personality.
• Always ensure your clothing contrasts well with the background.

Pick a Neutral or Clean Background

• White, grey, or soft office-like backgrounds work best.
• Outdoor settings with blurred backgrounds can also work if they don’t distract.
• Avoid messy rooms, harsh lighting, or overly edited effects.

Smile and Look Approachable

• A natural smile conveys confidence and friendliness.
• Look directly at the camera to build trust.
• Avoid overly serious or casual “party-style” pictures.

Frame It Correctly

• Your face should cover about 60% of the frame.
• Crop from shoulders to just above the head.
• Avoid full-body or distant shots.

Add Achievements Under Experience

• Use short bullet points under each role.
• Focus on measurable outcomes (%, $, time savings, process improvements).
• Example: Reduced accounts receivable days by 15% through new billing process.

Use the “Projects” Section

• LinkedIn allows you to add projects separately.
• Ideal for highlighting major company initiatives, client work, or academic projects.
• Example: ERP Implementation Project – Led the AR module migration to Oracle Fusion, improving reporting accuracy by 20%.

Keep Achievements Specific

• Avoid vague terms like “Contributed to success”.
• Use numbers, percentages, or clear outcomes.
• Example: “Generated $2M in cost savings by automating monthly reporting.”

Showcase Relevant Projects

• Select projects that reflect the skills you want to be hired for.
• Example: For finance → budgeting models, reconciliations, ERP upgrades.
• Example: For marketing → SEO campaigns, product launches, brand strategies.

Link Media When Possible

• Add presentations, reports, or visuals (where non-confidential).
• Makes your profile interactive and more credible.

Start with People You Know

• Connect with colleagues, classmates, managers, clients, and professional contacts.
• Sync your email contacts with LinkedIn to find connections quickly.

Send Personalized Connection Requests

• Always add a note when connecting with new people.
• Example: “Hi [Name], I’ve been following your insights on [topic]. I’d love to connect and learn more from your experience.”

Follow Industry Leaders & Recruiters

• Stay updated on trends, job openings, and expert advice.
• Engage with their posts to increase your visibility.

Join LinkedIn Groups

• Participate in groups related to your profession or industry.
• Share knowledge and interact with members—this builds credibility.

Engage Consistently

• Comment on posts with thoughtful insights.
• Share updates about projects, achievements, or industry news.
• Post at least once a week to stay active.

Be Strategic

• Focus on building a quality network with people in your industry.
• Recruiters value relevant networks more than a random collection of connections.

Collect Endorsements for Top Skills

• Ask colleagues, supervisors, or teammates to endorse the most relevant skills in your profile.
• Focus on the top 3–5 skills (these are highlighted first).
• Endorse others—most people will return the favor.

Request Recommendations from Key People

• Prioritize managers, clients, mentors, or team leads.
• A strong recommendation should highlight your role, achievements, and impact.
• Example: “During our time at XYZ Company, [Name] improved reporting efficiency by 30% through smart automation and showed strong leadership across cross-functional projects.”

Personalize Your Request

• Don’t just send the default LinkedIn message. Politely explain what you’d like them to focus on (e.g., leadership, project delivery, financial expertise).

Aim for Balance

• Get recommendations from different perspectives—managers, peers, and clients—to show well-rounded credibility.

Post Regular Updates

• Share 1–2 posts per week about industry news, personal achievements, or useful tips.
• Keep posts professional, relevant, and engaging.

Engage with Others

• Like, comment, and share insights on posts from peers, leaders, and companies.
• Add meaningful comments instead of one-word replies.

Publish Articles or Insights

• Write short articles or posts to showcase your expertise.
• Example: lessons learned from a project, career growth tips, or industry trends.

Use Consistent Branding

• Keep the same professional tone, style, and messaging across LinkedIn, CV, and other platforms.
• Example: If your headline says “Finance Professional | IFRS & Budgeting,” your posts should reinforce that expertise.

Schedule Time for LinkedIn

• Dedicate 15–20 minutes daily or 2–3 times a week to network, post, and engage.
• Consistency is more important than volume.