How to Make LinkedIn Work for You – Whether You’re Job Hunting or Simply Planning Your Next Move
- Michelle Denny
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
LinkedIn’s one of those platforms that most people have, but few feel totally confident using, especially if you’re not one for self-promotion (spoiler alert: you don’t have to be!).
Whether you’re actively job hunting or just quietly thinking about what’s next, your LinkedIn profile can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you, especially if you set it up to reflect who you are and where you want to go.

It’s not about being ‘on show’, it’s about being findable
This isn’t all about becoming a thought leader or sharing your entire life story. It’s about making sure that when someone (say, a recruiter or hiring manager) is searching for someone like you, they actually find you.
Think of your profile as your digital hello. It doesn’t have to be perfect or polished, just authentic, current and relevant.
Five quick wins that make a BIG difference
Start with your headline
Skip the default “Job Title at Company” and think about the skills or impact you bring. For example:→ “People-focused Operations Manager | Culture, Compliance & Continuous Improvement”→ “Software Developer | Building solutions that scale with business needs”
Write your summary in the first person
A short paragraph that sounds like you goes a long way. Talk about your experience, what drives you, and maybe what you’re looking for next (if you’re open).
Use the “Open to work” feature carefully
You can set it to only be visible to recruiters, which keeps things discreet but still proactive. And yes, we do look for it...
Keep your experience up to date
Even if you’re not job hunting, making sure your recent roles and responsibilities are clear helps tell the story of your progression and skills.
Engage a little, it doesn’t have to be loud
Liking posts, following industry pages, or commenting on content you genuinely find interesting can help keep your profile active and visible. It’s not about showing off, it’s about showing up.
Quick Checklist:
Does your LinkedIn profile…
Have a clear, friendly headline that reflects your strengths?
Include a short, authentic ‘About’ section?
Highlight what you’ve done and what you’re good at (not just job titles)?
Have a photo that looks like you (not one from a wedding five years ago)?
Show you're open to conversations - whether that’s now or in future?
If yes, great stuff, you’re already ahead of the game!
Not sure how your profile comes across?
We get it, writing about yourself isn’t easy. And if you’re somewhere between thinking about a move and not sure if it’s the right time, LinkedIn can feel a bit… noisy.
That’s where we can help. At MDR, we work with people, not just CVs. If you’re in transition, curious about what’s out there, or just want a bit of perspective on your next move, let’s have a confidential chat.
📩 Drop us a message if you'd like to talk.
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