When was the last time you looked at your LinkedIn profile?
Whether you’re looking for your next move or simply interested in raising your profile in the industry, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professionals. Beyond functioning as an online CV, it’s where recruiters, hiring managers, and potential collaborators go to understand who you are, what you bring to the table, and whether you’re someone they want to speak to. So it’s important to stand out on LinkedIn.
But with so many profiles out there, how do you make yours stand out?
Here’s a guide on how to optimise your LinkedIn presence and position yourself as a confident, credible, and career-ready professional in your industry.
Stand out with a strong headline
Your headline doesn’t have to just be your job title; in fact, it shouldn’t be. Use that space to highlight your skills, specialisms, and career focus.
Instead of writing the facts and nothing more, something like: Finance Assistant at XYZ Ltd;
try including more of you in it. With something like: Finance Assistant | Experienced in AP/AR, Xero & Excel | Open to new opportunities
This immediately shows what you do and what you’re good at. Importantly, it helps you appear in more searches because everything in your headline is a searchable field. Here’s a look at what the LinkedIn algorithm loves in a headline.
Craft a clear, authentic ‘About’ section
You may have heard this before: the about section is your elevator pitch. Tell people who you are, what you’ve done, and what you’re looking for, keeping it human and jargon-free.
Example:
I’m a finance professional with over 5 years of experience supporting SMEs with accurate, efficient financial operations. I’ve worked across accounts payable, credit control, and reconciliations, and I enjoy using data to spot patterns and improve processes.
I’m confident with tools like Sage, Xero, and Excel, and I’m passionate about growing into more strategic finance roles over time. I’m always open to learning and exploring what’s next in the world of finance.
List all relevant experience – with impact
It’s not enough to say what you were responsible for. Make sure your experience shows how you’ve added value.
An easy way of doing this is focusing on consequences rather than actions. So instead of: Handled bank reconciliations; try: Led weekly bank reconciliations for 4 business accounts, identifying and resolving discrepancies quickly to support month-end close.
Think about numbers, efficiencies, systems you’ve improved, or problems you’ve solved. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for impact.
Highlight your skills and tools
Use the “Skills” section to include software, systems, and techniques you’re confident using, for example:
- Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, macros)
- Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite
- Payroll systems (IRIS, BrightPay)
- Budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management
- Power BI or financial modelling tools
These keywords help your profile appear in people’s searches. A bonus tip is to ask colleagues or managers to endorse your skills, so you have social proof behind your claims.
Stay active and visible to stand out
Posting on social media doesn’t come naturally to everyone, we understand that. However, the algorithm favours people who engage with content and so do hiring managers.
Here’s how to stay active without it taking hours or feeling awkward:
- Share finance news you find interesting
- Comment on posts from industry leaders or companies you follow
- Share a simple reflection on something you learned this week
- Include a picture in your posts
Even small actions keep you visible, and that’s half the battle.
Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities (discreetly)
Use LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature to quietly show recruiters you’re open to new opportunities, without broadcasting it to your current employer.
You can set preferences like:
- Types of roles you’re open to
- Locations
- Whether you’re open to contract, perm, or temp
It only takes a minute, but it makes a big difference in how visible you are to the right people.
LinkedIn is your shop window so keep it current
In finance, credibility matters, and your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression. By taking 30–60 minutes to update and optimise it, you’re opening the door to new roles, stronger connections, and unexpected opportunities.
If you’d like a second pair of eyes on your profile, or you’re thinking about your next step, we’d love to help. Find the best-placed consultant to help you here.
