Profile Checklist

What someone sees in the first three seconds, before they read a word.

• A clear, recent profile photo where your face fills most of the frameFaces build trust. Skip the logo, the group shot, and the holiday sunglasses.
• A banner that backs up what you do, not the default blueUse it like a billboard: one message, your brand colours, nothing cluttered.
• A headline that says who you help and how, not just your job title“Helping X do Y” beats “Account Executive at Z” every time.
• A custom profile URL with your name in itlinkedin.com/in/yourname is easier to share and looks better on a signature.
• Accurate location and industry, so you show up in the right searchesRecruiters and buyers filter by these. Wrong field, wrong results.

The sections that turn a visitor into someone who understands you.

• An About section that opens with a hook, not “I am a passionate…”The first two lines show before “see more”. Make them earn the click.
• An About section written for your reader, not your CVTalk about their problem and how you solve it. Your history is supporting cast.
• A clear next step at the end of your About sectionTell people what to do: message you, visit a link, book a call.
• Experience entries with outcomes and numbers, not duty lists“Grew pipeline 40%” says more than “responsible for sales”.
• A Featured section with 2–4 pieces of your best proofPin the post, link, or media you’d want a stranger to see first.

The proof that other people vouch for what you say.

• At least three recent recommendations, given and receivedAsk right after a win, and offer a draft to make saying yes easy.
• Skills that match what you want to be found for, top three pinnedThe pinned three show on your profile. Choose them like keywords.
• Recent activity that shows you’re present, not a ghostA profile with no posts or comments in months reads as closed for business.
• The same story across photo, headline, About, and experienceIf each section tells a different story, none of them land.

The quiet settings and keywords that decide whether the right people ever see you.

• The words your buyer actually searches, woven into headline and AboutSay “social selling” if that’s what they type, not your internal jargon.
• The right “Open to” settings for what you want nextYou can signal to recruiters or clients without a public badge.
• Creator mode or topics set, if content is part of your planTopics tell the algorithm and visitors what you talk about.
• Contact info that makes it easy to reach you off-platformEmail, calendar link, or site. Don’t make an interested buyer dig.