Updated September 1, 2026
The LinkedIn Profile Checklist for Job Seekers
If you only have ten minutes, run this checklist. It's ordered by impact — the things at the top move the needle most for getting found and getting a reply.
High impact
- Headline names your target role and 2–3 real skills in the first ~50 characters.
- About's first two lines say what you do and the proof — no filler.
- Experience bullets show outcomes, not duties.
- Your skills reflect the role you want and are backed by your experience.
Medium impact
- Clear, current photo; background image isn't the default.
- Location and open-to-work settings match your actual search.
- Custom profile URL (linkedin.com/in/yourname).
- Titles and dates match your resume exactly.
Worth doing
- A short, specific “About” close that says what you're looking for.
- Featured section with real work samples, if you have them.
- Recommendations from people who actually know your work.
Never do
- Invent metrics, employers, or dates.
- Claim skills your history doesn't support.
- Keyword-stuff your headline or About.