Ask a Recruiter: What Can Job Seekers Do to Stand Out More on LinkedIn?

According to just about every recruiter I know, LinkedIn remains the go-to place to find and evaluate talent. According to this article, 97% of hiring professionals use LinkedIn!

But here’s the thing....in 2025, it’s crowded. Between the rise of spam accounts, ghost recruiters, and a flood of “Open to Work” banners, it’s harder than ever for job seekers to stand out in a way that feels both authentic and effective.

So I asked a few of the best recruiters I know what they really think makes a candidate stand out on LinkedIn beyond the basics.

Caroline Pennington – Founder, The Feminine Founder

“Optimize your LinkedIn profile and be purposeful in your outreach to recruiters. Not just a ‘hey, help me, I’m looking for a job’ kind of message.”

Adam Bourgoin – Senior Talent Acquisition Associate, Alvarez & Marsal

“Check it on a regular basis. If you select ‘Open to Work,’ you better be open to responding and active on a daily basis. Beef up your profile and provide your most recent contact information. Nothing is more frustrating than finding a good candidate, sending them an InMail, only for them to never respond. If you are open, then be active.”

Summer Weinspach – Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Piedmont Augusta

“Make sure your profile is up to date and highlight your main job duties. It doesn’t hurt to reach out to the recruiter or manager directly if you’re interested in a specific position.”

Kelli Long - Founder, KG Workforce Solutions

“If a candidate is actively looking for a position, having different content on their LinkedIn profile versus their resume is helpful. The information should be consistent, but this gives a potential candidate a second time to ‘sell’ their value to an employer.

For all candidates, viewing their LinkedIn profile as a marketing tool, not just a networking tool, is essential. LinkedIn gives employees an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, strengths, and value to the world. This has benefits beyond just recruiting for a new position. Keeping a complete and updated LinkedIn profile is very important and almost expected in certain positions (sales, HR, customer success, marketing, etc.).”

Katie Gardner – Senior Technology Recruiter, Wells Fargo

“The best thing a job seeker can do on LinkedIn is to actually attach their resume to their profile. It takes out the guessing and doesn’t waste the candidate or the recruiter’s time. Titles can mean different things at different companies, so a list of titles isn’t very informative. Also, put up a picture, and recommendations help, too.”

My Thoughts

This one hits close to home for me. I can’t tell you how many strong candidates I’ve seen lose traction simply because they didn’t take LinkedIn seriously or worse, they treated it like a static online résumé.

You see a few consistent themes from these recruiters: be complete, be active, and be intentional. Caroline and Adam both emphasized interaction — don’t just announce you’re open to work, act like it. Check your messages, respond promptly, and approach recruiters with a clear ask.

Summer brought up a great point about direct outreach. Most people overthink this. A short, polite note that shows genuine interest in a specific role goes a long way.

Kelli and Katie added layers that job seekers often miss: your LinkedIn isn’t a mirror image of your résumé — it’s your marketing hub. It’s where you demonstrate your voice, brand, and credibility. Adding your résumé as an attachment, a photo, or even a few recommendations creates trust.

How to Stand Out Right Now on LinkedIn

1️⃣ Keep It Active.
If you’ve turned on “Open to Work,” treat your LinkedIn like your inbox. Check it daily, respond quickly, and engage in conversations. Recruiters move fast — if you don’t, they’ll move on.

2️⃣ Use It Like a Marketing Tool.
Think beyond job search. Share insights, comment thoughtfully, and post about your expertise. Recruiters notice professionals who show up consistently, not just those who are job hunting.

3️⃣ Make Your Profile Complete and Clear.
Upload a professional photo. Add your résumé as a document. Include a short headline that actually says what you do and want next. Keep your contact info visible and current.

4️⃣ Be Purposeful in Outreach.
Don’t just send “Hey, I’m looking for a job” messages. Give the reader a reason to want to talk to you!

Believe me, that small change makes a big difference.

Final Thought

The job seekers who stand out on LinkedIn aren’t necessarily the loudest — they’re the ones who treat the platform like a professional handshake. Be active, be thoughtful, and most importantly, be visible.