Level Up Your LinkedIn: 5 Tips from Executive Recruiters at The Keller Group

In today’s job market, your LinkedIn profile is more than just a digital resume - it’s your personal brand, your networking hub, and often the first impression you make on potential employers or executive recruiters. LinkedIn profiles are one of the first things executive recruiters and hiring managers look at when you apply for a job posting. So it should be engaging and share more about you beyond your standout resume. At The Keller Group, our executive recruiters review hundreds of profiles every week, and the best ones always have a few things in common: they’re polished, authentic, and easy to understand at a glance.

Whether you’re actively job searching or simply want to stay visible in your industry, here are our top tips to help you stand out and make your LinkedIn profile work harder for you. 

1. Start With the Basics: Your Name, Photo, and Headline

Your profile photo and headline are your virtual handshake. 

• Use your real name. Nicknames or abbreviations can make it harder for recruiters to find you.

• Upload a professional photo. Choose a clear, well-lit image that represents you in a professional setting. Profiles with a photo get more views!

• Craft a headline that tells your story. Go beyond your job title - include your specialty or what drives you. Something that at a glance describes who you are.

2. Customize Your URL

A personalized URL makes your profile easy to share and adds a polished touch to your email signature or resume. 

Recruiter Tip: Edit your LinkedIn URL to look like this: linkedin.com/in/yourname

3. Write a Summary That Tells Your Story

Your “About” section is your elevator pitch - use it to highlight who you are, what you do best, and what drives you. You’ve got 5-10 seconds to capture the recruiter’s attention.

• Keep it conversational and authentic by using your voice. Use specific adjectives, colorful verbs, and active sentence structure. 

• Use keywords from real job postings, relevant skills, accomplishments, and what makes your work meaningful. 

• Write for the screen, in short and sweet blocks of copy. 

4. Bring Your Experience to Life

LinkedIn is not just a resume - it’s a story of your career journey. 

• Focus on achievements and impact, not just responsibilities. 

• Use the same amount of bullet points for each job and start each line with an action verb.

• Write 2-3 concise sentences per role that highlight your wins, results, or growth.

• Update consistently as you earn new certifications or experience.

Example: “Led a cross-functional team to launch a new digital campaign that increased engagement by 40%.”

5. Stay Active, Be Consistent, and Build Your Connections

Engage regularly by sharing insights, commenting on industry trends, and celebrating milestones. This helps build community, credibility, and keeps your profile visible in recruiter searches. Building connections that last is one of the most important aspects of your personal and professional brand.

Recruiter Tip: Even small actions like liking recent posts, following companies, or joining professional groups can boost your visibility. 

6. Bonus Tip: Open Yourself to Opportunities

If you’re exploring new roles, use the “Open to Work” feature thoughtfully. You can choose to make your interest visible only to recruiters, discreetly signaling to recruitment agencies like The Keller Group that you’re open to new job opportunities aligned with your specific goals.

Recruiter Tip: Update every 2-3 months to stay accurate and active in the algorithm. Add 2-5 target job titles, work schedule preferences (hybrid, onsite, remote) and include relevant job types like full-time, contract, freelance, part-time. It’s also important to add locations you’re interested in, as recruiters regularly filter by cities, even for remote jobs. 

Your LinkedIn profile is one of your most powerful tools in the job search process - and a key way to attract attention from executive recruiters at The Keller Group and beyond. Taking time to refine each section makes all the difference between being overlooked and being discovered, therefore landing an interview (we put together our top interview tips for you too). 

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If your LinkedIn profile is polished and you’re ready for your next opportunity, connect with The Keller Group. Our team of executive recruiters partners with top talent across all industries and is ready to help you land your dream job.