If your LinkedIn profile hasn’t been updated in a while, you’re not alone. Most people set up their profiles, include a few roles, and then leave them unchanged for quite some time.
However, the issue is that it is no longer just “sitting there”. It has become one of the first points of contact for recruiters. It shapes a hiring manager’s impression even before a face-to-face conversation happens. In many cases, it can influence whether you’re approached for potential opportunities.
At Hunter Bond, we review thousands of profiles weekly, and the reality is that most people tend to undervalue themselves without realising.
Stop Listing Responsibilities – Show What You’ve Done
A lot of profiles read like a list of responsibilities copied and pasted from an old CV.
This approach often comes across as flat and forgettable, providing little insight into your actual accomplishments.
Recruiters and hiring managers are interested not only in your role description but also in what you achieved. They want to know what you improved, what you contributed to, and the impact you made.
Your LinkedIn profile should tell a story, not just list tasks.
Your Headline Isn’t Helping You
“Analyst at X”
“Software Engineer”
“Graduate”
These headings are quite vague and don’t assist in making your profile stand out during a search.
This section represents one of the most valuable areas of your profile. It should convey detailed information about your professional role and, ideally, highlight your key strengths. Think of it as your one-line pitch.
Your Skills Section Matter More Than You Think
This is one of the most overlooked parts of a LinkedIn profile, and one of the easiest to get right.
You’ll see profiles with 50+ skills ranging from highly technical tools like “Python” or “C++” to things like “Teamwork” and “Communication” all thrown in together.
This dilutes your profile.
Your skills section should reinforce what you actually want to be known for. If you’re a Python developer, Python or specific libraries should be right at the top, not buried under generic soft skills. If you work in finance, your core practical knowledge and market skills should be immediately clear.
It’s also worth remembering that recruiters actively search using skills. So, if the right ones aren’t there, or aren’t prioritised, you’re making it harder to be found.
The “About” Section Is Empty
Or it’s full of buzzwords with no personality.
This is your chance to sound like a human being. Consider explaining why you chose your particular field, what motivates you, and the type of environment in which you excel.
You don’t need to write an essay, but a few genuine sentences go a long way. People hire people, not bullet points.
First Impressions Count
While it may seem straightforward, your profile picture is more important than you realise.
We still see:
- Cropped photos
- Blurry group pictures where we can’t tell who you are
- Holiday snaps (yes, even the ones with sunglasses and a drink in hand)
- Or no photo at all
Your profile picture doesn’t need to be overly formal; however, it should be clear, recent, and professional enough to show you take your career seriously.
A simple, well-lit headshot with a neutral background is more than enough. It’s a small change that makes a big difference.
You’re Not Thinking About Search
LinkedIn isn’t just a profile; it’s a search engine.
Recruiters are using keywords to find candidates. If your profile doesn’t include the right skills, technologies, or areas of expertise, your visibility may be limited.
This doesn’t mean overloading your profile with keywords, it means being intentional about how you describe your experience.
The Bottom Line
Your LinkedIn profile is now an essential component of your professional presence. It is no longer simply a supplementary feature; it often serves as the initial impression and influences perceptions before any direct interaction.
At Hunter Bond, we work with candidates every day who underestimate how strong their profiles could be. If you’re serious about your next move, it’s worth getting this right.
Because whether you realise it or not, people are already looking.
