LinkedIn Isn’t a Resume. It’s a Landing Page. Treat It Like One.
If you’re using LinkedIn to copy and paste your resume, you’re missing the point and probably missing opportunities.
Your LinkedIn profile isn’t a resume. It’s a landing page. And like any good landing
page, its job is simple: Grab attention. Keep it. Guide someone to take action like messaging you, checking out your work, or offering you an interview.
Let’s break down what that actually means and how you can start using LinkedIn the right way.
1. Your Headline Is Prime Real Estate
This is the first thing people see when your profile pops up in search. If it’s boring or vague, they’ll scroll past. If it’s clear and relevant, they’ll click.
Your headline should compel someone to open your profile.
The default (your current job title) won’t do that. It’s a missed opportunity. A good landing page leads with a hook.
Your LinkedIn headline should do the same: communicate your value and who it’s for, right away.
Instead of: Project Manager at XYZ Company
Try: Project Manager | Helping Manufacturing Teams Cut Downtime & Boost Productivity by 25%+
It’s not about being clever. It’s about being clear. Crystal clear.
What do you do? Who do you help? What kind of impact do you make?
Visuals Matter Too: Before anyone even reads your headline, they notice your profile picture and banner image.
Think of these as the “packaging” on your landing page:
- A professional headshot builds instant credibility (yes, even if it’s just well-lit and taken with your phone).
- A clean, relevant banner image signals you’re active, thoughtful, and worth clicking into.
The DIY Headline Formula
[Your Role/Function] | Helping [Target Audience] [Solve a Problem or Achieve a Goal] + [Outcome/Result, if possible]
Breakdown:
- Your Role/Function → What you do in plain terms
- Helping [Who] → Your audience (industry, team, company type)
- [Do What] → The problem you solve or goal you support
- [With What Result] → Measurable outcome (if possible)
Examples:
- Product Manager | Helping SaaS Startups Launch Features Faster Without Burning Out Dev Teams
- HR Business Partner | Supporting Leaders in Scaling Culture Through Rapid Growth
- Content Designer | Crafting Clear, Conversion-Driven UX Copy for B2B SaaS Products
- Operations Manager | Helping Supply Chain Teams Improve On-Time Delivery by 30%+
- Career Coach | Guiding Job Seekers to Talk About Their Value with Confidence and Clarity
Quick Tips:
- Don’t overthink it. Clarity beats cleverness.
- Ditch the fluff: “dynamic, results-oriented professional” means nothing.
- If you’re changing roles or industries, aim your headline toward where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
2. Your “About” Section Is Not a Bio
It’s a pitch. Not a life story. Not a resume summary. Not a string of adjectives.
This is your shot to talk directly to the people you want to work with and say:
- What you solve
- Who you solve it for
- Why you’re different
- Why that matters
Write like you’re talking to one hiring manager at a company you’d actually want to work for. No fluff. No filler.
3. Add Proof
Think about how a great landing page uses testimonials, metrics, or case studies to build trust. You can do the same.
- Add specific results in your job descriptions
- Feature media: PDFs, videos, links to work or public contributions
- Ask for recommendations that highlight actual outcomes
Don’t assume people will “get it.” Show them. Lead them. Guide them.
Don’t assume people will “get it.” Show them. Lead them. Guide them.
4. Make It Skimmable
No one reads your profile word for word. They scan quickly and often on their phone. Your job is to make it easy to follow. Use:
- Short paragraphs
- Occasional bullet points
- Concise accomplishments
- Clear job titles and dates
Think of your profile like a mobile landing page. If someone scrolls through it in 10 seconds, can they tell what you do, who you help, and what kind of value you bring?
One of the biggest mistakes people make? Trying to cram everything onto their profile.
You want to keep all your experience, every skill, and appeal to every possible recruiter or hiring manager…just in case.
But here’s the truth: If you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one.
Just like in marketing, clarity wins. Relevance wins. Not volume.
So remove the wall of words, tighten your message, and focus on your ideal audience.
You’ll get fewer random hits — and more of the right ones.
So remove the wall of words, tighten your message, and focus on your ideal audience. You’ll get fewer random hits — and more of the right ones.
5. Include a Call to Action
Just like a landing page, your profile should end with direction.
What do you want people to do after reading it?
- Message you? Say so.
- Check out your portfolio? Link it.
- Know you’re open to work? Turn the setting on and mention it.
If you don’t guide people to the next step, they won’t take it.
Bonus Tip: LinkedIn’s Algorithm Is Always Working
LinkedIn uses trillions of data points to match profiles with recruiters’ searches. If your profile doesn’t include the right keywords for your target roles and industry, you’ll be invisible no matter how strong your experience is.
Spread the most relevant, job-specific keywords throughout your:
- Headline
- About section
- Experience bullets
- Skills list
Use language from the job descriptions you want, not just the jobs you’ve had. You’re writing for humans and algorithms — both matter.
This of it this way: Your resume is for HR systems. Your LinkedIn is for humans.
Make it work like a landing page: fast, clear, and outcome-driven.
Because in a noisy job market, if you don’t tell your story — someone else will, and they
won’t get it right.
Don’t Love Social Media? You’re Not Alone.
You don’t have to post daily. You don’t need to be on video. You don’t need to chase likes or trends. Here’s how to get noticed without burning out or becoming someone you’re not.
01
Let Your Work Do the Talking
Create a clean, easy-to-navigate portfolio, website, or LinkedIn profile that highlights what you
do. Include:
- Case studies or project snapshots
- Testimonials or recommendations
- Results you’ve delivered
If you say nothing else, let your work say it all.
02
Talk About the Problems You Solve
This is key. Don’t just list job titles—show what you’re good at and how you think.
Example: “I help teams streamline operations with better systems—cutting admin time by 40%.”
Be specific. Be relevant. Employers want problem-solvers, not just job seekers.
03
Write Instead of Perform
Not into video? Cool. Focus on writing:
- Thoughtful LinkedIn posts
- A short blog or article
- A Medium or Substack piece on your field
Writing is powerful. It shows how you think, what you care about, and what you know.
04
Pick the Right Platforms
You don’t need to be everywhere. Just choose where your target audience (aka employers or
peers in your field) hang out.
Good options:
- LinkedIn (non-negotiable for most professionals)
- Medium/Substack (great for written insights)
- Portfolio site (especially for creative or tech roles)
- Relevant online communities (Slack groups, Reddit, etc.)
Quiet corners > noisy platforms.
05
Automate and Repurpose
If you’re creating content, don’t overthink it. Write once, then re-use:
- A LinkedIn post becomes a blog
- A blog becomes a short video script
- A framework you share becomes a downloadable PDF
Batch it. Schedule it. Don’t live online—just show up with intention.
06
Set Boundaries
You don’t need to be “on” all the time. Define your pace:
- One LinkedIn post a week
- 15 minutes of networking a day
- A monthly article or update
Consistency beats volume. Show up regularly, not constantly.
Want feedback on your LinkedIn profile?
Join us for live DIY Office Hours at Thursdays at 5:30 PT OR Fridays at 12:00 PT and bring your profile for a live review.
If you found this useful, imagine what’s inside the full DIY Job Search Toolkits. You’ll get access to even more clear, actionable strategies — plus live support from Michele Calderigi, an experienced career coach who’s been on the other side of the hiring table for years.
And maybe most importantly — you’ll join a community that gets you. Whether you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just tired of doing this alone, you don’t have to figure it out by yourself anymore.
