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May 19, 2022
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Career Advice

Building a LinkedIn Profile That Gets You Noticed

May 19, 2022
|
Career Advice
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Whether you're actively searching for a new opportunity, building your professional reputation, or simply future-proofing your career, LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful tools available.

With millions of professionals, recruiters, hiring managers ,and business leaders using the platform every day, your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression you make. In many cases, recruiters will view your LinkedIn profile before they ever see your CV.

The good news? A few simple improvements can dramatically increase your visibility and help you stand out for the right reasons.

Here are our top tips for building a LinkedIn profile that works for you.

1. Invest in a Professional Profile Photo

People connect with people.

Profiles with professional photographs consistently receive more views, more connection requests, and more engagement than those without.

Your profile photo doesn't need to be taken by a professional photographer, but it should be:

  • Clear and high quality
  • Well-lit
  • Professional and approachable
  • Relevant to your industry
  • Free from distractions

Avoid holiday snaps, group photos, cropped images, or anything that doesn't reflect how you would present yourself professionally.

Remember, your profile photo is often the first thing people notice.

2. Create a Headline That Adds Value

Your headline is some of the most valuable real estate onLinkedIn.

Many people simply list their job title, but this is a missed opportunity.

Instead, use the space to communicate who you are, what you do, and where your expertise lies.

For example:

Facilities Manager | Multi-Site Operations | Health &Safety | Workplace & Estates Leadership

Or:

Senior Workplace Manager | Corporate Real Estate |Employee Experience | Sustainability

Think about the keywords recruiters are likely to search for and incorporate them naturally.

3. Write a Strong "About" Section

The About section is your opportunity to tell your professional story.

Rather than listing responsibilities, focus on:

  • What you specialise in
  • Your experience
  • Key achievements
  • Areas of expertise
  • The value you bring

The strongest summaries are specific and achievement-focused.

For example:

"Facilities Management professional with 15 years' experience leading multi-site operations across corporate, education and commercial environments. Experienced in workplace strategy, compliance, health and safety, contractor management and capital projects, with a proven track record of improving operational efficiency and reducing costs while enhancing workplace experience."

Use numbers and results wherever possible.

4. Showcase Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities

Many LinkedIn profiles read like job descriptions.

Instead of simply explaining what your role involved, demonstrate what you achieved.

Rather than:

"Responsible for contractor management."

Try:

"Managed a portfolio of service contracts valued at £2m, improving supplier performance while delivering annual cost savings of12%."

Achievements create credibility and help differentiate you from other professionals with similar job titles.

5. Optimise Your Experience Section

Your experience section should support and reinforce your personal brand.

For each role:

  • Include a brief overview of your responsibilities
  • Highlight major projects
  • Quantify achievements where possible
  • Focus on outcomes and impact

You do not need to replicate your entire CV.

Instead, provide enough information for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly understand your experience and strengths.

6. Build Social Proof Through Recommendations

Recommendations remain one of LinkedIn's most underused features.

A recommendation from a former manager, colleague, client, or stakeholder can add significant credibility to your profile.

Consider requesting recommendations from people who can speak to:

  • Leadership skills
  • Technical expertise
  • Project delivery
  • Team management
  • Commercial impact
  • Client relationships

A handful of genuine recommendations is far more valuable than dozens of generic endorsements.

7. Develop a Relevant Network

LinkedIn is exactly that—a network.

The strength of your profile isn't just about what it says; it's also about who you're connected to.

Build your network by connecting with:

  • Colleagues
  • Former colleagues
  • Industry peers
  • Recruiters
  • Clients
  • Suppliers
  • Professional     associations
  • Alumni networks

Always personalise connection requests where possible. A brief message explaining how you know someone can significantly improve acceptance rates.

8. Stay Active and Visible

Creating a strong profile is only the beginning.

LinkedIn rewards activity.

You don't need to post every day, but regular engagement helps keep your profile visible.

Consider:

  • Sharing industry news
  • Commenting on relevant discussions
  • Posting project updates
  • Celebrating team successes
  • Sharing lessons learned
  • Publishing short thought leadership articles

Consistent activity demonstrates industry engagement and helps establish professional credibility.

9. Make Your Skills Work for You

LinkedIn's skills section plays an important role in recruiter searches.

Ensure your most relevant skills are listed and prioritised.

For Facilities Management professionals, this might include:

  • Facilities Management
  • Health & Safety
  • Contractor Management
  • Workplace Strategy
  • Building Services
  • Project Management
  • Compliance
  • Sustainability
  • Budget Management
  • Space Planning

Review your skills periodically and keep them aligned with your career goals.

10. Keep Everything Up to Date

One of the quickest ways to undermine your profile is outdated information.

Regularly review:

  • Job titles
  • Employer details
  • Contact information
  • Skills
  • Qualifications
  • Certifications
  • Achievements

An up-to-date profile ensures you're always ready when the right opportunity appears.

Final Thoughts

Your LinkedIn profile is far more than an online CV.

It's your professional shop window, personal brand, and networking platform all in one.

The strongest profiles clearly communicate expertise, showcase achievements, and demonstrate ongoing engagement with their profession.

Whether you're actively looking for your next role or simply building your long-term career, investing time in your LinkedIn profile is one of the highest-return activities you can undertake.

Because when the right opportunity comes along, you want to be easy to find—and impossible to ignore.