Linkedin Examples of Profiles

Let me start by admitting something embarrassing: the first time I built my LinkedIn profile, I used a selfie I took in my car after a CrossFit class (sweaty tank top, gym bag in the passenger seat). My headline? “Job seeker looking for opportunities.” Spoiler: I got ZERO traction. Not a single recruiter slid into my DMs. It felt like shouting into the void at a busy Starbucks—no one even looked up from their lattes.

But after 4 years of trial-and-error (and helping my sister, two neighbors, and my kid’s soccer coach overhaul theirs), here’s what I’ve learned about making LinkedIn actually work:

The “Diner Menu” Lesson

Your profile isn’t a résumé—it’s a diner menu. Imagine sitting down at a booth and seeing “Food: Available Upon Request” as the only heading. You’d walk out! My early mistake was treating LinkedIn like a formal application instead of a place to showcase what I serve up daily.

What worked: Rewriting my headline to focus on outcomes, not job titles. Instead of “Marketing Specialist,” I switched to “Helping small businesses sound human (and get noticed) without the corporate jargon.” Suddenly, connection requests from local entrepreneurs started popping up like Target clearance alerts.

The Photo That Actually Gets Clicks

I used to think LinkedIn photos needed Wall Street-level stuffiness. Then I tried an experiment: I swapped my stiff blazer shot for one of me grinning at my desk holding a mug that says “Pivot Queen” (a thrift store find, $1.99). Profile views jumped 30% in a month. Turns out, people connect with context—not just a suit.

Pro tip: Your photo should answer “Would I ask this person for directions in an airport?” If yes, you’re golden.

The “About” Section Hack Everyone Skips

Most folks write theirs like a robot’s autobiography: “Dynamic professional with 5+ years of strategic synergizing.” Yawn. I started mine with “Hi! I’m the person your team calls at 9 PM when the CMS explodes (and the kombucha hits too hard).”

Why it works: It’s specific, human, and shows I’ve been in the trenches. Bonus: I added a line about burning a casserole during a Zoom meltdown (relatable > flawless).

When to Break the “Rules”

LinkedIn gurus love preaching “Use industry keywords!” But stuffing your profile with terms like “Agile thought leader leveraging disruptive paradigms” just blurs your story. My neighbor (a nurse) added “I calm frantic new moms before they Google ‘can babies eat Legos’” to her About section. She’s had 7 recruiters reach out this quarter.

Real talk: If your cousin from Nebraska wouldn’t get it, simplify.

The One Thing Recruiters Secretly Love

Most profiles are all text, no proof. When I started attaching media to my Experience section—like a screenshot of a Slack thread where I defused a client’s typo-induced rage, or a 30-second Loom video explaining my project process—my Inbox blew up. One hiring manager even said, “Finally, someone who doesn’t just list ‘team player’!”

What I Wish I’d Done Sooner

Treat the “Featured” section like a mixtape: Show off that newsletter you wrote, the podcast interview, or even a TikTok where you explain Excel shortcuts (yes, seriously).
Ditch the buzzword bingo: “Guru,” “ninja,” and “wizard” are as overdone as pumpkin spice in October.
Engage like a human, not a bot: Comment on posts with more than “Great insights!” I once bonded with a CEO over our mutual hatred of LinkedIn’s “I’m excited to share…” auto-template.

Final thought: The best LinkedIn profiles feel like a conversation at a backyard BBQ—approachable, real, and memorable. You wouldn’t hand someone a bullet-pointed list of your accomplishments while they’re holding a paper plate of potato salad. So why do it online?

Start small: Pick ONE section to tweak today (maybe swap that headline or add a work blooper to your About). And if you’re feeling stuck, shoot me a DM—I’ll send you my casserole story. It’s worse than you’re imagining.