Every time I meet with a designer who is actively looking for jobs, one of the first things we do is review their LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn is a crucial resource where hiring managers, recruiters, and HR professionals actively seek out design talent.
Optimizing your profile is essential to appear in their search results.
In this post, I will walk you through the steps I share with designers in optimizing their profile for search.
Let's jump in.
Profile Image and Banner
One of the first things that stands out is your profile image.
It's important to create an image of yourself that is approachable, confident, and representative of your professional brand.
Ensure good lighting, a clear focus on your face and shoulders, and a non-distracting background. Avoid images of your kids or pets in your profile.
The 'banner' image sits at the top of your profile.
This should be updated (remove the default banner). Your banner can visually reinforce your design identity.
LinkedIn Image Sizes
Think a subtle abstract design, a blurred background of your workspace, a minimalist graphic representing your design focus (e.g., UI elements, branding patterns), or even a carefully curated image from your portfolio (ensure it's visually appealing as a banner).
Make sure it complements, not clashes with, your profile picture. And, as with you profile you can always update it!
Here's my current banner image
Title and About
LinkedIn highlights that the most critical keywords for search visibility are found within your Headline (located directly below your name).
You have a 220-character limit to use for your Headline.
This is your prime real estate to strategically incorporate relevant keywords that hiring managers and recruiters might use when searching for designers with your skillset.
Think about your core disciplines (e.g., UI/UX Designer, Graphic Designer, Product Designer), key skills (e.g., Interaction Design, Branding, User Research), and even your area of focus (e.g., SaaS, E-commerce, Mobile Apps). Avoid overly technical jargon that might not be understood by everyone in the hiring process.
Use a formula that works for you. There are plenty out there, like this:
[Current Role/Profession] | [Primary Skills/Areas of Expertise] | [Unique Value]
Remember, clarity and conciseness are key.
Below are examples of how designers use their Headlines and stand out in the process:
The 'About' section, your bio, is where you tell your professional story.
Go beyond simply listing skills. Elaborate on your passion for design, your problem-solving approach, and what drives you.
Add relevant keywords throughout your 'About' section to further enhance your search visibility.
When mentioning achievements, try to quantify them whenever possible e.g., 'Increased user engagement by 15% through redesigned navigation'
Previous post: Designer Keywords for LinkedIn
Featured Section
The Featured is located just below your "About" section. It allows you to showcase specific pieces of content that you want visitors to see first.
Think of it as a curated highlight reel of your professional achievements, skills, and personality.
Here's how you can leverage it:
Showcase your portfolio: Use this section to visually present your best design work. Link directly to your online portfolio or upload case studies, or presentations as PDFs. Use engaging thumbnails and concise descriptions.
Add your portfolio URL to the top section of your profile, under your headline and in your Contact section as well!
Highlight key projects and achievements: Pin projects you are particularly proud of or that demonstrate specific skills relevant to your career goals. This could include successful campaigns, or projects where you significantly impacted user experience or business results.
Show your design process: Share a presentation or document outlining your design thinking process giving employers or clients insight into your methodology and problem-solving skills.
Your LinkedIn URL
Also called a vanity URL is a customized web address for your public profile.
Instead of the default URL, which typically includes your name followed by a string of random numbers and letters (e.g., linkedin.com/in/johndoe-a1b2c3d4), a vanity URL allows you to create a cleaner, more professional, and easier-to-share link, usually featuring your name or a variation of it (e.g., linkedin.com/in/johndoe).
Create a custom LinkedIn URL
A vanity URL reinforces the message of optimizing every aspect of their LinkedIn presence. A small but significant detail that contributes to a strong online brand.
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).
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