How to build a LinkedIn profile that recruiters find

Recruiters in Kenya, especially for professional, NGO, technology and multinational roles, search LinkedIn every day. A complete, specific profile means they can find you for roles you never saw advertised.

Photo and banner

Use a clear, recent head-and-shoulders photo with a plain background, good light and professional clothing. Profiles with photos get far more views. The banner behind it can be simple, such as a plain colour or an image related to your field.

Headline: the most important line

Your headline appears in every search result. By default it shows your current job title, which is often vague. Write it so a recruiter knows what you do and where.

Weak: "Seeking opportunities".
Stronger: "Procurement Officer | Tenders, Supplier Management, SAP | Nairobi".

Use the words recruiters search for: job titles, key skills and tools.

About section

Write three short paragraphs in the first person: what you do, what you are good at with one or two achievements, and what you are looking for. Keep it plain and specific. Mention your location and whether you are open to relocation or remote work.

Experience

Add every relevant role, including attachments and internships. For each, write two to four bullet points with results, as you would on a CV. Make sure job titles and dates match your CV. Recruiters notice differences.

Skills and certifications

• Add skills that match the jobs you want, up to the limit LinkedIn allows. Put the most important first.
• Add licences and certifications, such as CPA, a nursing licence or cloud certifications, with the issuing body.
• Ask colleagues to endorse your top skills, and endorse theirs.

Recommendations

Two or three written recommendations from former managers or supervisors add credibility. Ask politely and suggest what they could mention, such as a specific project.

Tell recruiters you are open

LinkedIn lets you signal that you are open to work. You can choose to show this only to recruiters, which is useful if you are currently employed. Add the job titles, locations and work types you want.

Stay active, lightly

You do not need to post every day. Commenting thoughtfully on posts in your field, sharing an article with a sentence of your own view, or posting when you finish a course keeps your profile visible to your network.

Safety

Scammers use LinkedIn too. Be careful with "recruiters" who ask for fees, move the conversation to WhatsApp immediately, or offer jobs without an interview. Our guide to spotting recruitment scams lists the warning signs.