LinkedIn has 900+ million users. Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning each profile. In those 6 seconds, you either make the cut or get scrolled past.
Here are the mistakes that get you scrolled past—and how to fix them.
Mistake #1: Generic Headline
The problem: "Looking for new opportunities" or just your job title tells recruiters nothing.
The fix: Use this formula: [Title] | [Key Skill] | [Unique Value Proposition]
Examples:
- "Senior Product Manager | B2B SaaS | Scaled 3 products from 0 to $10M ARR"
- "Data Scientist | ML/AI | Former Google, Stanford PhD"
- "Sales Director | Enterprise Software | 150% quota attainment 4 years running"
Mistake #2: No Profile Photo (or Bad Photo)
The problem: Profiles without photos get 14x fewer views. Casual photos signal you're not serious.
The fix: Professional headshot with:
- Good lighting (natural light is best)
- Solid or simple background
- Professional attire for your industry
- Smile (approachability matters)
No professional headshot? Your iPhone and a blank wall work fine. Or use AI tools like Headshot Pro.
Mistake #3: Boring "About" Section
The problem: Reading like a resume, or worse, being empty.
The fix: Write in first person. Tell a story. Include:
- What you do and who you help
- Your biggest achievements (with metrics)
- What makes you different
- What you're looking for (if actively searching)
Mistake #4: Job Descriptions Instead of Achievements
The problem: Listing responsibilities instead of results.
The fix: Use the CAR format:
- Challenge: What problem existed?
- Action: What did you specifically do?
- Result: What measurable outcome occurred?
Before: "Managed social media accounts"
After: "Grew Instagram following from 5K to 50K in 6 months, driving 35% increase in website traffic"
Mistake #5: Empty Skills Section
The problem: Recruiters search by skills. If they're not on your profile, you won't show up.
The fix:
- Add all relevant skills (LinkedIn allows 50)
- Put your top 3 most-searched skills first
- Get endorsements (they boost credibility)
- Mirror the skills from job descriptions you want
Mistake #6: Not Using LinkedIn's Features
The problem: Missing the "Open to Work" setting, Featured section, and Creator mode.
The fix:
- Turn on "Open to Work" (visible to recruiters only if preferred)
- Add a Featured section with portfolio pieces, articles, or presentations
- If you create content, enable Creator mode for better visibility
Mistake #7: Being a Ghost
The problem: Having a profile but never engaging. LinkedIn's algorithm rewards activity.
The fix:
- Comment thoughtfully on industry posts
- Share articles with your insights
- Post original content weekly (even just your thoughts on industry news)
- Engage with recruiters' content (they notice)
The Uncomfortable Truth About LinkedIn
Even a perfect LinkedIn profile has limitations. The platform is crowded, InMails go unread, and you're competing with millions for recruiter attention.
That's why the most effective job seekers use LinkedIn as just one channel. They also reach out directly via email—bypassing the noise entirely.
When you have a recruiter's direct email, you're not competing with 500 InMails. You're landing directly in their inbox, where you actually get read.