ComeOnOliver LinkedIn Profile Optimization
Help users create compelling LinkedIn profiles that attract opportunities.
When to Use
- Optimizing LinkedIn profile for job searching
- Building professional brand and thought leadership
- Writing compelling headlines and about sections
- Improving profile visibility in recruiter searches
When NOT to Use
- Resume writing for applications (different format/purpose)
- Other social media platforms (use social-media-strategy)
Profile Optimization Checklist
1. Profile Photo
- Professional headshot (face takes up 60% of frame)
- Good lighting, neutral or simple background
- Friendly expression (slight smile)
- Recent photo (within last 2 years)
- Profiles with photos get 21x more views
2. Banner Image
- 1584 x 396 pixels
- Options: company branding, professional tagline, value proposition
- Use Canva for free templates
3. Headline (Most Important)
220 characters max. This appears everywhere — search results, comments, connection requests.
Formula: [Role] | [What you do for whom] | [Key differentiator]
Examples:
- ❌ "Marketing Manager at Acme Corp" (boring, default)
- ✅ "Marketing Manager | Helping B2B SaaS companies grow from $1M to $10M ARR | Content Strategy & Demand Gen"
- ✅ "Data Analyst → Data-Driven Decisions | SQL, Python, Tableau | Turning messy data into clear insights"
- ✅ "VP of Sales | Built 3 sales teams from 0 to $5M+ | Startup & Scale-up Specialist"
For job seekers:
- ✅ "Senior Software Engineer | React, Node.js, AWS | Open to new opportunities"
- ✅ "Product Manager seeking next role | 8 years in fintech | Ex-Stripe, Ex-Square"
4. About Section (2,600 characters)
Structure:
[Hook — compelling opening line that makes people keep reading]
[What you do and who you help — 2-3 sentences]
[Your key achievements — 3-5 bullet points with numbers]
[What drives you / your approach — 1-2 sentences]
[Call to action — what should people do next?]
[Keywords for search — naturally woven in or listed]
Example:
I help early-stage startups turn chaotic marketing into repeatable growth engines.
After 10 years in B2B marketing — from Series A to IPO — I've learned that the best marketing feels like a conversation, not a campaign. I specialize in content strategy, demand generation, and building marketing teams that punch above their weight.
What I've done:
→ Grew organic traffic from 10K to 500K monthly visitors in 18 months
→ Built a content engine that generated $2M in pipeline quarterly
→ Led a rebrand that increased brand awareness by 340%
→ Managed $1.5M annual marketing budget across 5 channels
I believe marketing should be measurable, customer-centric, and (dare I say) enjoyable.
Currently open to advisory roles and full-time Head of Marketing positions at B2B startups (Series A-B).
Let's connect: [email] or send me a message here.
5. Experience Section
Don't just list duties — show impact.
Formula: [Action verb] + [what you did] + [measurable result]
Example:
Senior Marketing Manager | Acme Corp | 2021 - Present
• Launched product-led growth strategy that increased free trial signups by 180% in 6 months
• Built and managed a team of 5 marketers across content, paid, and email channels
• Reduced customer acquisition cost by 35% through organic content and SEO optimization
• Created quarterly webinar series averaging 500+ attendees with 15% conversion to demo
Key projects: [Project name], [Project name]
Skills: Content Marketing, Demand Generation, Marketing Analytics, Team Leadership
6. Skills Section
- List 50 skills (maximum)
- Top 3 pinned skills should be your most important
- Ask colleagues to endorse your top skills
- Include both hard skills (tools, technologies) and soft skills
7. Recommendations
- Aim for 3-5 recommendations
- Best: from managers, clients, and cross-functional partners
- Offer to write recommendations for others (they'll often reciprocate)
When requesting: "Hi [Name], I'm updating my LinkedIn profile and your perspective would mean a lot. Would you be willing to write a brief recommendation about [specific project or skill]? Happy to do the same for you!"
8. Featured Section
Pin your best content:
- Articles you've written
- Posts with high engagement
- External media (press, podcasts, talks)
- Portfolio pieces or case studies
LinkedIn Search Optimization
LinkedIn search works like a search engine. Include relevant keywords in:
- Headline
- About section
- Experience descriptions
- Skills section
For job seekers: Include the exact job titles you're targeting.
Engagement Strategy
- Post 2-3 times per week
- Comment meaningfully on others' posts daily
- Share insights from your work (not just company announcements)
- Engage with recruiters' and hiring managers' content
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Default headline ("Marketing Manager at Acme Corp")
- Empty or generic About section
- Listing duties instead of achievements
- No profile photo or outdated photo
- Not customizing connection request messages
- Only connecting, never engaging with content