Building a Strong LinkedIn Profile
First impressions matter
This part is about understanding how LinkedIn actually works, not updating everything at once.
First impressions matter
Your photo, headline, and banner shape whether someone keeps reading or moves on.
As you review your profile, notice:
Whether your profile photo feels professional and approachable
If your headline clearly explains what you do (not just your job title)
How does your banner support your direction or area of focus
If you don’t already have a strong profile photo, this is one area where a small investment can make a big difference.
For anyone based in Auckland, I personally used Headshot Photography (West Auckland). Their 30-minute headshot session is $130 + GST, which is a great value. You don’t need anything overproduced, just clear, professional, and approachable.
Ask yourself:
If someone landed on my profile today, would they quickly understand what I do and who I help?
Telling your story (About & Experience)
This is where your personal brand comes into play.
Pay attention to:
How the About section is written as a story, not a CV
How experience focuses on impact, not task lists
Where keywords naturally fit without sounding forced
Ask yourself:
Does my profile sound like a real person — or a job description?
Profile strength, keywords & visibility
LinkedIn is a search engine, not just a social platform.
Focus on:
Completing key profile sections
Using keywords in headlines, roles, and skills
Keeping language consistent across your profile
Small changes here directly affect how often recruiters can find you.
Ask yourself:
If a recruiter searched for my skills, would I appear in the results?
Before you move on
You don’t need to update anything yet.
This part is about:
Awareness
Seeing what’s possible
Noticing gaps without judgement
You’re building visibility, not perfection.
I’ve selected this video by Kevin Stratvert because I’ve watched many of his tutorials over the years, covering LinkedIn, Notion, and Microsoft tools. I like that he uses clear, step-by-step examples and shows exactly what you need to do, not just what to change.
As you watch, focus on:
Headlines that explain value, not just roles
How the About and Experience sections are structured
Where keywords matter most
Small changes that improve profile strength and visibility
You don’t need to take notes on everything.
Watch with intention.