Importance of Using Keywords in Your LinkedIn Profile
As you have likely guessed, LinkedIn puts heavy importance on using keywords in your LinkedIn profile. With 1B members throughout 200 countries on LinkedIn it’s critical to know how to ensure your profile is optimized so you stand out and can be found. One of the best ways to achieve this is through a strategic, keyword-focused profile.
Why Keywords Matter in Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn’s search functionality works much like any other search engine: it scans profiles for relevant terms. Recruiters looking for a ‘Project Manager’ with ‘Agile’ and ‘Scrum’ experience will type those exact into LinkedIn. If your profile contains them—especially in the right places—it’s more likely to appear in search results. What this means is, you want to be choosing the right keywords to help you rank higher, boost your visibility, and increase your credibility in the field.
Identifying the Right Keywords
I recommend reviewing job descriptions for positions you are targeting. Take note of repeated terms like ‘Data Analysis’ or ‘Digital Marketing.’ You can also look at LinkedIn’s ‘Add a new skill’ feature to determine common industry-related skills. You can also look at profiles of people in your target role to see what keywords they use.
Where to Place Them
Include your most important keyword—often your desired job title or core skill—in your headline. You then will want to naturally weave keywords into your About section and the bullet points under each role in your Experience section. Don’t forget to add relevant skills in the Skills section (and rearrange so your top 5-20 show up first). Keep in mind, this needs to be readable so you do not want to overstuff your profile with keywords. However, you can always utilize keyword gathering options like including a ‘Areas of Expertise’ in the About section and list the critical skills.
Headline
Keep in mind this is a critical area on your profile. I recommend trying the following formulas:
1. ‘Target Job Title’ | Keyword 1 | Keyword 2 | Keyword 3
2. ‘Target Job Title’ | Keyword 1 | Keyword 2 | Keyword 3 u Branding Statement
3. ‘Target Job Title’ | Keyword 1 | Keyword 2 | Keyword 3 | Interesting ‘Personal Label’
Examples:
Sales Executive / Vice President of Sales | P&L Management | Revenue Growth | Sales Leadership
Sales Executive / Vice President of Sales | P&L Management | Revenue Growth | Sales Leadership u Driving Growth, Exceeding Targets, Delivering Winning Customer Experiences
Sales Executive / Vice President of Sales | P&L Management | Revenue Growth | Sales Leadership | Coffee Connoisseur and Avid Hiker
By integrating the right keywords throughout your LinkedIn profile, you stand a much better chance of catching the attention of hiring managers and peers.
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