In Part 1 of our LinkedIn optimization series, we laid the groundwork by focusing on your profile image, banner, headline, 'About' section, and the power of the 'Featured' area.
Missed that post? Catch up here: Optimize your Design LinkedIn (Part 1)
Now, in Part 2, we're diving deeper into your profile to focus on the sections that help you connect with the right opportunities: Experience, Skills, and Recommendations.
Let's jump in.
Experience section
Your 'Experience' section is a where you show your contributions and growth.
Avoid simply listing your responsibilities. Instead, use storytelling to highlight challenges, actions, and outcomes.
A great framework for this is the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result):
Situation: "Faced with low user engagement on the mobile app's onboarding flow..."
Task: "...I was tasked with redesigning the initial user experience."
Action: "...Conducted user interviews, created new wireframes and prototypes in Figma, and A/B tested two different onboarding flows."
Result: "...The redesigned flow resulted in a 25% increase in user activation within the first week."
Whenever possible, include quantifiable impact that’s relevant to your design discipline:
• Increased conversion rates by 15%
• Reduced user errors by 20%
• Led a project that saved the company $10,000
Tip: Like your headline and 'About' section, each experience should include relevant keywords to boost searchability. Designer Keywords for LinkedIn
Add media to Experience
Visuals can make your experience more tangible. Consider attaching:
• Short video walkthroughs or prototypes.
• Links to case studies and recent projects.
• Presentations or mood boards.
Here's an example from my LinkedIn profile and how images can be added to enhance your experience.
Tip: Keep your visuals high-quality, focused, and relevant to the work described.
Skills section
The 'Skills' section helps showcase a broader set of capabilities — especially those that don’t always fit neatly into job titles.
You can list up to 50 skills, including:
Hard skills: UI design, prototyping, design systems, user research
Soft skills: collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving
Recruiters often filter candidates based on skill keywords, so align your listed skills with the roles you’re targeting.
When others endorse your skills, it builds credibility. And endorsing others? That builds goodwill and reciprocity.
Recommendation section
Recommendations are powerful — they add social proof and tell hiring managers that others value your work.
You can ask for recommendations from former teammates, managers, clients — anyone who can speak to your strengths.
They:
• Build trust and credibility
• Highlight your skills from another perspective
• Influence hiring decisions
Giving recommendations is just as important. It strengthens relationships and shows appreciation for others in your network.
In a future post, I’ll cover how to ask for a great LinkedIn recommendation — and how to write one.
Thanks for reading. See you next week!
Anthony Faria
the Designer's Roadmap
Helping designers navigate the path to success
When you're ready, here are few ways I can help you:
- 1:1 Portfolio Review Laser focused 1:1 portfolio review where I evaluate all aspects of your work; visuals, storytelling, overall approach recommending key improvements to help your work stand out.
- 1:1 Career Coaching Session My 1:1 coaching sessions are designed to help you overcome challenges, set clear objectives, and develop a personalized roadmap for success.
- Job Hunting Checklist The exact steps I use to help designers successfully improve their job search all in a free checklist! Stay organized, focused, and prepared throughout your job hunt (free).
- Job Posting Sites for Designers Over the years I've collected job boards exclusively for design jobs. 100+ active links (free).
|
