How to Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile for Recruiters (in Ireland)

  |   Patricia Tiernan
LinkedIn logo on screen beside a cup of coffee.

Stand out to Irish recruiters with a LinkedIn profile that shows your value — not just your job title.

You’ve polished your CV. You’ve sent off applications. You’ve even clicked “Easy Apply.”
But if your LinkedIn profile doesn’t back up your experience — or worse, barely exists — you could be missing out on opportunities without even knowing it.

As a career coach who works with job seekers and professionals across Ireland, I’ve reviewed hundreds of LinkedIn profiles. Most people are underusing the platform — and recruiters notice.

Here’s how to make your LinkedIn profile work for you, not against you.

🔍 What Recruiters Are Actually Looking For

Recruiters use LinkedIn as both a search engine and a credibility check. Whether they’ve seen your CV or just found you through a keyword search, they’ll quickly scan your profile to answer a few key (often unspoken) questions:

  • Do your job titles and skills match what we’re hiring for?
    (And does your LinkedIn align with the CV you submitted?)

  • How many connections do you have?
    (A healthy network signals that you’re active and engaged professionally.)

  • Are you professionally presented in your online interactions?
    (Tone, language, and activity matter — especially in public-facing or leadership roles.)

  • Does your career story make sense at a glance?
    (Is there a clear thread through your roles, or does it feel disjointed?)

  • Have other people endorsed or recommended you?
    (Social proof matters — especially at senior levels.)

If your profile is empty, inconsistent, or unclear, you risk getting passed over — even if you’re perfectly qualified.

🚫 5 Common Mistakes That Cost You Opportunities

1. No Photo or a Low-Quality One

A professional headshot (or just a clear, friendly photo) builds trust. People are far more likely to engage with a profile that has a face.

2. A Generic Headline

Your headline isn’t just your job title. It’s one of the most visible parts of your profile and should reflect what you do and what you bring.

💡 Example: instead of “Business Development Manager”

Try: “Business Development Manager | Driving B2B SaaS Growth Across EMEA | Strategic Sales & Key Account Leadership”

3. Empty or Copy-Pasted “About” Section

Your summary is your chance to share your story. Use a warm, first-person tone and highlight your strengths, values, and career focus.

4. Job Descriptions with No Impact

A common mistake is copying and pasting job descriptions into your Experience section. Recruiters aren’t just looking for what your role was — they want to see what you achieved, how you added value, and what sets you apart.

✅ Focus on:

  • Outcomes and results

  • Specific projects, tools, and metrics

  • The scope of your work — size of teams, budgets, or regions

💡 Example instead of “Responsible for onboarding new staff.”

Try: “Led the redesign of onboarding for EMEA region, reducing time-to-productivity by 30% and improving retention in year one.”

5. No Activity = No Visibility

You don’t need to post every day, but if your profile is totally inactive, you’ll be harder to find in searches.

You don’t need to become a “thought leader” — just be visible in ways that feel natural and genuine. Here are low-pressure ways to stay active and build credibility:

  • ✅ React or comment on a post that interests you

  • ✅ Share something you’re learning – a short note on a course, book, article or webinar

  • ✅ Mention an event or talk you attended – e.g. “Great panel today at [event name] – gave me loads to reflect on”

  • ✅ Ask a question about your field or share a lesson learned at work

  • ✅ Reshare something helpful with a line like: “Saved this for later – brilliant tip for presenting with confidence”

💡 Tip: Even one small post or comment a week builds visibility and shows you’re engaged, learning, and personable.

👥 Connections & Endorsements: Quiet Proof of Credibility

LinkedIn is about more than what you say — it’s also about what others say about you.

  • Connections show you’re active in your professional community

  • Endorsements back up your top skills — even a few add credibility

  • Recommendations (the short written kind) are powerful trust signals

✅ Tip: Reach out to past colleagues, clients, or collaborators and ask for a recommendation — and offer to write one in return.

✨ Final Thought

LinkedIn isn’t just an online CV — it’s your professional story and reputation. A thoughtful, up-to-date profile can open doors, spark conversations, and help opportunities find you.

🎯 Need a Hand With Your Profile?

I offer LinkedIn profile reviews and full profile writing services — ideal if you’re job searching, pivoting careers, or just want to finally feel confident in how you show up online.

👉 Book your LinkedIn Review today

📩 Or email me at info@leapcoaching.ie to get started.

🔗 Want more tips? Connect with me on LinkedIn — I regularly share insights on CVs, interviews and career strategy.