Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn: Best Practices for 2025
Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn: Best Practices for 2025
LinkedIn has evolved from being a digital CV storage site to becoming the world’s largest professional networking and recruitment platform. With over 1 billion members worldwide, it’s now one of the most powerful tools for building your personal brand, attracting opportunities, and connecting with decision-makers.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, a mid-level professional planning your next step, or an executive considering a career transition, a strong LinkedIn presence is no longer optional. Recruiters, clients, and colleagues will check your profile before engaging with you — and what they see will influence their decision.
In this guide, we outline the essential best practices for creating a LinkedIn profile that gets noticed in 2025.
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1. Start with a Professional Photo
Profiles with a photo receive up to 21x more views than those without. Your photo is your first impression — and it needs to convey credibility.
Best practices for your headshot:
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Use a recent, high-quality image with a clean background
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Dress as you would for an interview in your industry
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Aim for a friendly but professional expression
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Frame from the shoulders up (avoid full-body shots or group photos)
Think of it as the digital equivalent of walking into a room and shaking someone’s hand.
2. Craft a Headline That Works for You
Your headline appears next to your name in searches, making it one of the most important parts of your profile.
Avoid vague statements like “Hardworking professional seeking opportunities.” Instead, focus on what you do and the value you bring.
Examples:
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“Senior Marketing Leader | Driving Growth Through Data-Driven Strategy & Brand Storytelling”
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“CFO | Expertise in M&A, Capital Raising, and Scaling High-Growth Companies”
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“Software Engineer | AI & Cloud Infrastructure | Building Scalable Solutions”
Tip: If you’re open to new opportunities, use keywords recruiters search for in your target roles.
3. Write a Compelling About Section
The “About” section is your elevator pitch. It should tell your career story in a way that feels authentic and engaging.
Structure it around three elements:
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Who you are – your role, sector, and strengths
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What you do – the value you deliver, backed up by evidence (metrics, achievements, results)
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Where you’re going – your career aspirations or what kind of opportunities you’re open to
Aim for a few short paragraphs written in the first person. Keep the tone professional, but let some personality show.
4. Optimise Your Experience Section
Don’t just copy-paste your CV. Instead, make your LinkedIn experience section concise, skimmable, and achievement-focused.
Best practices:
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Use bullet points for key achievements
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Quantify results where possible (e.g., “Increased revenue by 30%” or “Managed a $20M budget”)
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Include promotions and career progression to show growth
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Add rich media (presentations, PDFs, links) to showcase your work
Remember, recruiters spend seconds scanning profiles. Clear, evidence-based bullet points will stand out more than long paragraphs.
5. Add Skills and Get Endorsements
LinkedIn allows you to list up to 50 skills. Prioritise the ones most relevant to your target role.
Why it matters: recruiters often filter candidates by specific skills, so the right ones can improve your visibility.
Once added, ask colleagues or connections to endorse you for those skills — it’s a quick credibility boost.
6. Use the “Open to Work” and “Providing Services” Features
LinkedIn has built-in tools to make your goals visible:
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Open to Work: Privately signals to recruiters that you’re available for new opportunities.
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Providing Services: Lets freelancers or consultants showcase their offerings directly on their profile.
Both increase your chances of being discovered in searches.
7. Grow Your Network Strategically
LinkedIn isn’t just about having a profile — it’s about engaging with people. Aim to connect with:
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Colleagues (current and past)
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Recruiters in your industry
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Leaders in your sector
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Alumni from your university or business school
Send a short, personalised note when connecting. A thoughtful introduction makes you more likely to be accepted.
8. Stay Active and Post Thoughtfully
A strong profile gets you found, but engagement builds visibility. By posting and commenting regularly, you’ll appear in your connections’ feeds and stay top-of-mind.
Types of posts that work well:
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Sharing industry news with your perspective
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Celebrating milestones or achievements
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Writing short posts on leadership lessons, challenges, or insights
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Engaging with others’ content in a meaningful way
Consistency is key. You don’t need to post daily — even once a week can establish presence.
In Summary
LinkedIn is far more than an online CV. It’s a platform where careers are made, opportunities are unlocked, and personal brands are built.
By optimising your profile, showcasing your expertise, and staying active, you’ll not only improve your visibility to recruiters but also strengthen your professional reputation.
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