Most LinkedIn profiles have all the personality of a tax form and all the distinctiveness of a corporate mission statement run through seven committees. They’re heavy on buzzwords, light on humanity, and leave readers with the impression that you might actually be an AI chatbot attempting to pass as human.
Let’s fix that, shall we?
First, your profile photo. That awkward cropped picture from your cousin’s wedding isn’t doing you any favors. Neither is the ultra-serious “I’m a professional who has never experienced joy” headshot. My client Miguel saw his response rate on outreach messages jump 43% after switching to a simple, friendly headshot where he’s actually smiling. Turns out, people prefer connecting with humans who show signs of having a pulse.
Next, let’s talk about your headline—that precious real estate under your name. “Marketing Professional | Digital Strategist | Content Creator” tells me absolutely nothing except that you’ve mastered the art of the vertical bar. When my friend Sarah changed her headline from “Social Media Manager at TechCorp” to “I help B2B software companies sound human on social media | Previously grew TechCorp’s Twitter from 3K to 47K followers,” her profile views increased by 62% in a month.
Your “About” section shouldn’t read like you’re introducing yourself at a networking event where everyone is held hostage. It’s the difference between “Results-driven professional with a track record of success in dynamic environments” and “I’ve spent the last decade helping startups fix their messaging mess. My clients usually come to me when they sound exactly like their competitors and wonder why nobody remembers them.” The first is forgettable; the second makes me want to know more.
Experience descriptions are typically where personality goes to die. Yet this is precisely where specificity and voice matter most. Compare “Led cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and under budget” with “Herded a 12-person team across 3 time zones to launch our new platform 2 weeks early and $15K under budget, mostly through creative problem-solving and occasional bribery with homemade cookies.” Which person would you rather work with?
Skills and endorsements need strategic curation. Having 50 skills makes it seem like you’re claiming to be equally good at everything from strategic planning to Microsoft Word. Focus on 10-15 that actually differentiate you and align with your career goals. My colleague James, an UX designer, deliberately removed “Photoshop” from his skills despite having 25+ endorsements because he wanted to attract strategic design work, not production requests.
Finally, recommendations. Quality trumps quantity. One specific recommendation that highlights how you uniquely solve problems is worth more than ten generic “Jane is a team player” testimonials. Actively seek recommendations that speak to the specific value you provide—and offer the same specificity when you recommend others.
Remember: Your LinkedIn profile isn’t a professional tombstone. It’s the start of a conversation about the unique value you bring to the table.