If you’re looking for your next role in technology, engineering, or life sciences, your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression hiring managers and recruiters will make of you. A polished profile doesn’t just showcase your experience; it increases your chances of being discovered, contacted, and hired. 

A recent field experiment by ResumeGo found that applicants with a comprehensive LinkedIn profile saw a 71% higher callback rate (13.5%) compared to applicants with no LinkedIn profile (7.9%). Those with a bare-bones profile performed even worse at 7.2%, which is lower than having no profile at all. This underscores the significant impact a comprehensive, polished profile can have on your job search. It's not just about having a profile, but about having one that truly represents your skills and experience.    

According to LinkedIn insiders, over 50% of profiles are incomplete, meaning they are missing key sections or details, which often leads to them being overlooked for job opportunities. Approximately 87% of recruiters utilize LinkedIn to vet candidates, making it a standard step in the hiring process. Recruiters see profiles with updated, active information up to 16 times more often in search results, so an incomplete or outdated profile severely reduces your chances of being considered.  

With a few strategic adjustments, you can significantly enhance your visibility, credibility, and appeal to hiring managers and recruiters. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professional, these practical LinkedIn adjustments can make you stand out in the right way. By taking these steps, you're not just improving your profile; you're taking control of your professional visibility and making it easier for the right opportunities to find you. 

 

#1: Craft a Headline That Goes Beyond Your Job Title

Your LinkedIn headline is more than just a job title; it’s prime real estate that shapes first impressions and determines how often you show up in recruiter searches. For specialists, a strong headline should strike a balance between clarity, keywords, and value. Instead of defaulting to your title, use your headline to highlight your core skills, certifications, and the impact you deliver. This not only makes your profile more discoverable but also immediately signals to hiring managers why you’re worth a closer look. 

Pro Tip: A quick formula for your headline is Job Title + Specialty/Skills + Value or Impact \

Examples: 

  • Biotech Scientist | Molecular Biology & GMP | Driving Innovation from Lab to Market
  • Mechanical Engineer | CAD & Lean Six Sigma | Designing Efficient, Scalable Solutions
  • Network Engineer | LAN/WAN & Firewalls | Designing Secure, Reliable Connectivity 

 

#2: Optimize Your About Section (and Don’t Forget the Keywords)

One of the most overlooked areas on a LinkedIn profile is the “About” section, yet it’s often the first place people look to get a quick sense of who you are. Think of it as your digital elevator pitch, writing concise, engaging, and focused information on what makes you valuable to an employer. Instead of copying and pasting your resume summary, use this space to tell a professional story by highlighting your biggest strengths, how you work best, and the results you can deliver.   

Start with a statement that summarizes your professional identity and strengths. Then, share how you apply these strengths—whether it’s problem-solving, driving results, or contributing to team success. End with a forward-looking note, showing enthusiasm for what you hope to tackle next in your career. This approach not only demonstrates your skills but also gives recruiters insight into your personality, adaptability, and ambitions. 

Pro Tip: Write your LinkedIn "About" section in the first person (e.g., "I thrive in fast-paced environments…") for a more authentic and approachable tone. Recruiters and Hiring Managers aren’t looking for buzzword-heavy jargon; they want to get a sense of the person behind the profile

 

#3: Use a Professional, Industry-Appropriate Headshot 

Profiles with a professional headshot receive 21x more profile views. In tech, engineering, and life sciences, clean and approachable photos perform best. Your headshot is often the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager sees, so it's crucial to make a good impression. Save the vacation backgrounds and casual group shots for other social media platforms, and choose a photo that presents you as the professional you are.   


A person smiling and a person smiling AI-generated content may be incorrect.

A Bad vs. Good Headshot for LinkedIn 

#4: Add a Custom Banner That Tells Your Story 

The LinkedIn banner is valuable real estate. Consider adding a background that reflects your field; some examples might be circuit designs, molecular structures, or lab equipment. You can always opt for a simple branded graphic with your headline. 

ProTip: Use the free version of Canva to help with any graphics you may need. 

 

#5: Showcase Skills That Match Industry Demand 

LinkedIn allows users to list up to 50 skills, which heavily influence recruiter and hiring manager searches. Prioritize the most searched terms in your sector and select what people in your target industry are searching for. 

  • Reverse-engineering job postings involves looking at 5–10 job descriptions for roles you want and highlighting recurring skills. These are the keywords recruiters and hiring managers are scanning for. By identifying and prioritizing these skills, you can ensure your profile aligns with what employers are looking for. Balance hard and soft skills and use LinkedIn’s autocomplete to further enhance your profile.
  • Stay future-ready – Mix in emerging or in-demand skills (such as AI tools, Data Visualization, and Sustainability Practices) alongside your core expertise.  

  • Think endorsements – Select skills colleagues or managers can credibly endorse. High endorsement counts build credibility in recruiter searches. 

Pro tip: Recruiters and hiring managers often filter candidates by exact skill keywords. By aligning your skills with what is being typed into LinkedIn Recruiter, you’re dramatically boosting your visibility. 

Examples: 

  • Technology: Python, Machine Learning, AWS, React, DevOps
  • Engineering: CAD, Lean Six Sigma, Quality Control, ISO Standards
  • Life Sciences: Clinical Trials, GMP, EHR, Regulatory Compliance 

 

#6. Add Projects and Publications to Highlight Expertise 

Don’t just tell your story, show it! Add presentations, project snapshots, technical papers, posters, GitHub repos, and case studies. For IT, life sciences, and engineering professionals, even a well-done slide showing your project's impact can tell a powerful story.   

Recruiters look for proof of impact. Include links, presentations, and descriptions of: 

  • Research you’ve published 

  • Code repositories or GitHub projects 

  • Engineering designs or case studies 

  • Clinical studies or lab results 

 

#7. Turn on “Open to Work” (Strategically) 

LinkedIn allows you to signal to recruiters that you’re open quietly. Use the private setting so that only recruiters can see it, and not your entire network, unless you’re comfortable broadcasting publicly. Pair this with targeted job titles and locations to ensure you appear in relevant searches.   

 

#8. Request Endorsements and Recommendations 

Peer validation builds credibility. Ask colleagues, professors, or managers for recommendations that highlight your technical ability, problem-solving skills, and teamwork abilities. A strong testimonial can tip the scales in favor of hiring managers. 

Strong recommendations serve as proof points. Instead of generic “great to work with” notes, politely ask colleagues or managers to highlight specific technical skills or project outcomes. For example: “Led the development of a cloud-based data pipeline that reduced reporting time by 60%.”   

 

#9. Engage Consistently with Industry Content 

Hiring Managers and Recruiters notice active professionals. Share an article on AI breakthroughs, new FDA regulations, or engineering trends, and add your perspective. Commenting and posting regularly helps you stay top of mind. 

Pro Tip: When posting, use hashtags that recruiters monitor, such as #JobSearch, #TechJobs, #EngineeringJobs, and #LifeSciencesJobs. It improves your visibility outside your immediate network. 

 

#10. Customize Your URL 

Customizing your LinkedIn URL makes your profile easier to share and gives it a more professional appearance on resumes, business cards, and email signatures. It also boosts your search visibility. Here’s how you can do it: 

  • Go to LinkedIn.com, log in, and access your profile 

  • Click on your profile picture or the “Me” icon at the top of the LinkedIn homepage 

  • Select “View Profile” from the dropdown menu 

  • Click “Edit Public Profile & URL” 

  • On the right, you’ll see a box labeled “Edit public profile & URL.” Click this (it usually opens a new tab or takes you to a sidebar on the right side) 

  • Find the “Edit your custom URL” Section 

  • On the right side of the page, look for “Edit your custom URL.” 

  • Click the pencil (edit) icon next to your current URL under “Personalize the URL for your profile.” 

  • Enter Your New Custom URL 

  • Type in your preferred URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/janedoe) 

    • LinkedIn URLs must be 3-100 letters/numbers (no spaces or special symbols except dashes). 

    • Common practice: use some form of your name and/or profession for clarity. 

    • If your desired URL is taken, try variations (add your middle name, initials, or profession). 

  • Save your changes 

 

Pro Tip: Avoid using numbers or random characters unless necessary and double-check your URL for accuracy before saving. 

Bonus Tips: 

Follow Companies and Join Industry Groups   

This is about positioning yourself in the right circles. Follow top employers you’re interested in, join niche communities (e.g., “Medical Device Engineers Network” or “Data Science in Pharma”), and engage with posts. Hiring Managers often notice candidates active in their industry ecosystem.   

Pro Tip: Make it a weekly habit to follow 3–5 companies or thought leaders in your target space and engage (like, comment, share insights) where relevant. 

 

Bonus Tip #2 - Most searched terms by hiring managers and recruiters on LinkedIn 

Category 

Examples 

Exact Job Titles 

Software Engineer, DevOps Engineer, PM 

Skills & Certifications 

Python, AWS, Machine Learning, PMP, CISSP 

Locations 

New York, Remote, Bay Area, Boston 

Industry-Specific Terms 

CAD, GMP, Clinical Trials, Kubernetes 

Hashtags 

#NowHiring, #TechJobs, #JobSearch 

Also frequently searched are current/past employers, education, and certifications. 

 

Final Takeaway 

Your LinkedIn profile is more than an online résumé; it’s a digital reputation builder. By making these 10 tweaks and utilizing the keywords recruiters search for most, you’ll enhance your visibility, showcase your strengths in technology, engineering, or life sciences, and increase the likelihood that hiring managers will reach out. 

However, remember that the best opportunities are often not listed on job boards, and that’s where our STEM staffing brands come in. We specialize in connecting professionals like you with exclusive roles at top companies—opportunities that go beyond LinkedIn searches. 

As part of our STEM staffing family, we do more than just post openings. Our recruiters are plugged into hiring trends, invest in virtual events, and are deeply networked inside the organizations you want to join. By actively curating opportunities and engaging with top talent, we ensure that candidates like you are not only visible but also sought after, even for roles that never appear on public job boards. 

Join our Talent Network today to get matched with the most compelling opportunities in engineering.

Join our Talent Network today to get matched with the most compelling opportunities in technology.

Join our Talent Network today to get matched with the most compelling opportunities in life sciences.