Building the Perfect LinkedIn Profile

Need help building the perfect LinkedIn profile? The EMBS team are here to help.

Whether you’re actively seeking a new role, building your network or establishing yourself as a thought leader, a well-crafted LinkedIn profile is your most powerful tool.

Profile Photo

LinkedIn data reveals that profiles with a photo are 14 times more likely to be viewed. Choose a clear, recent photo where you are the sole focus and your face occupies at least 60% of the frame. This ensures clarity and helps people instantly recognise you, whether you’ve met them online or in person.

Headline

Right beneath your name, your headline is a concise yet impactful description of what you do. While defaulting to your current job title is common, consider using this space to define yourself more strategically. Are an engineer specialising in sustainable design? Use keywords that align with your professional goals and the type of connections you want to attract.

Background Photo

The banner across the top of your profile offers a fantastic opportunity to visually communicate your professional identity. LinkedIn provides default options, or you can upload your own image (ideally 1584 x 396 pixels). Choose something that resonates with your professional brand.

Summary

The “About” section, or summary, is your chance to introduce yourself in more detail. With a 2,000-character limit (around 300-500 words), this is your introduction paragraph. Expand on your headline, inject some personality and highlight your key experiences, accomplishments, skills and career aspirations. Strategically weave in relevant keywords to improve your profile’s visibility in search results.

The Experience Section

This section is the heart of your career story. Like a resume, detail your job titles, companies, locations, employment dates and descriptions for each role. Go beyond listing responsibilities; spotlight your major accomplishments and quantify your achievements whenever possible. Completing this section thoroughly with relevant keywords significantly boosts your profile’s searchability. (Tip: Use Alt+0149 on PC or Option+8 on Mac for bullet points in descriptions).

Education

List your formal education, including schools, colleges, universities, degrees, fields of study, and dates. You can also add relevant activities and descriptions of coursework, as well as media. The level of detail here can vary depending on your career stage. Recent graduates might emphasise university achievements, while seasoned professionals may find their work experience speaks volumes. Tailor this section to complement your overall career narrative.

Need Some Profile Inspiration?

If you’re stuck for inspiration, there is nothing wrong with turning to AI to help you – just make sure you fact check what a platform like ChatGPT can say about you. Just for fun, we asked for profiles on our founder Simon and MD James.

Simon Bucknell

Simon Bucknell is the Founder and Technology Practice Director of EMBS Talent. With over 25 years of experience in tech recruitment, Simon has facilitated thousands of placements, collaborating with numerous technology and digital companies.

Simon’s engaging content on LinkedIn has garnered 2.3 million views, reflecting his dedication to supporting candidates, clients, and peers in their talent journeys.

James Hall

With 17 years in recruitment and a decade at EMBS Engineering, James has become a well-connected and respected figure in the UK’s engineering sector.

Over the years James has held various roles, progressing from Recruiter to Senior Recruiter, Team Leader and Director. He is now the Managing Partner of EMBS Engineering and is committed to supporting businesses across the Midlands.