How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Work for Your Career

LinkedIn has become one of the most valuable tools for professionals looking to build their network, raise their profile and explore new career opportunities.

For candidates, it’s not simply an online CV. A strong LinkedIn profile can help recruiters and potential employers find you, give prospective contacts a better understanding of your experience and help you build a reputation within your sector.

It works both ways, though. An incomplete profile, outdated information or inappropriate content can just as easily create the wrong impression. So, if you want to make LinkedIn work harder for your career, here are a few things worth considering.

Fill Out Your Profile
Think of your LinkedIn profile as an extension of your CV. Make sure your key information is complete, accurate and up to date, including your current role, previous experience, qualifications and areas of expertise.

It’s also important to use relevant keywords throughout your profile. Think about the terms a recruiter or potential employer would actually use when searching for someone with your experience. For example, if you’re a solicitor, this could include your practice area, such as Commercial Litigation, Employment, Corporate, Real Estate or Insolvency, as well as your level of experience, location and any particular specialisms.

Recruiters often search LinkedIn using a combination of practice area, PQE, location and specialist experience. The more relevant information you include, the easier it is for the right people to find you. Your headline is particularly important. Rather than simply listing your job title, use the space to highlight what you do and where your expertise lies.

Keep Your Experience Up to Date
Make sure your current role and previous positions accurately reflect your career history. Don’t be afraid to include more detail about your responsibilities, particular areas of expertise and significant achievements. For legal professionals, this might include your main areas of work, sectors you act for, leadership responsibilities, business development experience or any specialist expertise you have developed.

You don’t need to turn your LinkedIn profile into a five-page CV, but it should give someone a clear idea of your experience within a few seconds. If you have recently moved firms, been promoted, qualified or taken on a new area of work, make sure your profile reflects that.

Build Your Recommendations
Recommendations can be a useful way of adding credibility to your profile. Consider asking former colleagues, managers, clients or professional contacts who know your work well if they would be willing to provide a recommendation. The most valuable recommendations are genuine and specific, rather than simply saying that you are “great to work with”.

You can also give recommendations to people you have worked with. If someone has made a positive contribution to your career, taking the time to recognise their work can be valuable in its own right.

Be Careful About What You Post
It sounds obvious, but it’s worth remembering that LinkedIn is a professional platform and what you post contributes to your professional reputation. Before sharing something, consider whether you would be comfortable with a prospective employer, client or colleague seeing it. That doesn't mean LinkedIn needs to be completely formal or corporate. In fact, sharing your views on your industry, commenting on relevant developments and celebrating professional achievements can be a great way to make your profile more engaging.

The key is to make sure what you share reflects the professional image you want to build.
For legal professionals in particular, always be mindful of confidentiality and avoid sharing information about clients or cases that should remain private.

Use a Professional, Current Photo
Your profile picture is often one of the first things people notice, so make sure it represents you well. You don't necessarily need a formal corporate headshot, but choose a clear, recent photograph where you are easily recognisable and look professional. And perhaps avoid the holiday photo, the group shot where nobody knows which person you are, or the picture from ten years ago!

Engage With Your Network
LinkedIn works best when you actually use it. Follow firms, businesses, professional organisations and individuals relevant to your industry. Comment on interesting posts, share useful industry news and congratulate people on their achievements.

You don't need to post every day. A few thoughtful interactions can be far more valuable than constantly posting for the sake of it. Engaging with relevant content can also increase your visibility. The more you contribute to professional conversations, the more likely you are to become recognised within your sector.

Make Yourself Visible to Recruiters
If you're open to considering a new opportunity, LinkedIn can be a particularly useful way of getting on recruiters' radars. You don't necessarily need to announce that you're looking for a new role. If you're currently employed and want to keep your job search discreet, you can simply make sure your profile accurately reflects your experience and the type of work you specialise in.

LinkedIn's “Open to Work” feature can also be useful, although it isn't essential. If you do use it, consider whether you want to make your job search visible to everyone or only to recruiters. Even if you're not actively looking, it's worth remembering that being approached about an opportunity doesn't mean you have to move. Sometimes the most interesting career opportunities are the ones you weren't actively searching for.

Make Sure LinkedIn Reflects Where You Want to Go
Finally, think about the impression your profile gives and the opportunities you want it to attract. If you're looking to progress into a more senior role, develop a particular specialism or move into a new area of law, make sure your profile reflects that direction.

Your LinkedIn profile should tell a clear story about your career — where you've come from, what you specialise in and where you could add value next. You never know who might be looking at your profile, and sometimes the right opportunity can come from a connection you weren't expecting.

LinkedIn is much more than an online CV. Used well, it can help you build your reputation, expand your network, become more visible to recruiters and open the door to your next career move.