When I first created my LinkedIn profile years ago, I remember obsessing over the headline. Was I supposed to call myself a “Marketing Specialist” or try something catchier like “Helping Businesses Grow Online”? I scrolled through countless profiles, copying bits of inspiration here and there, but still felt like I was missing something. And that “something,” I later realized, wasn’t just a title—it was the way I showcased my actual skills. LinkedIn isn’t just a digital résumé anymore. It’s part professional stage, part networking event, and part personal brand platform. How you highlight your skills can make the difference between being noticed and being invisible.
But what’s the best way to do it? If you’ve ever stared at that “Skills” section, wondering whether you should type in every software you’ve ever touched, you’re not alone. Let’s walk through some approaches—based on what actually works, what tends to fall flat, and where people often overdo it.
Start with the Headline (Because People Really Do Judge a Book by Its Cover)
Your headline is like a first handshake. Too stiff, and people scroll past. Too vague, and it doesn’t say anything about you. I once saw someone with a headline that simply read: “Open to Work.” While honest, it didn’t tell me who they were or what they could do. Compare that to another profile that read: “Data Analyst | Turning Raw Numbers into Business Insights.” The second instantly paints a clearer picture.
A headline doesn’t need to be clever. It just needs to balance clarity with a hint of personality. Instead of “Software Developer,” try something like “Full-Stack Developer | Building Scalable Apps for Small Businesses.” It’s not poetry, but it’s specific. That specificity is a skill showcase in itself—you’re signaling expertise without a laundry list.
The “About” Section: Your Story, Not Just a Bio
Too many people treat the “About” section like a stiff cover letter. Third-person descriptions like, “John is a dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience…” sound more like something your HR department wrote than something you’d say. And that’s the problem.
The trick? Write like a human. You can still be professional, but let some personality come through. I rewrote mine once from a bland bullet-point version into something more conversational: “I started out writing blog posts in my college dorm, fumbling through SEO and learning why nobody reads 2,000 words of fluff. Over the years, I’ve worked with startups, nonprofits, and corporate teams—always coming back to one simple goal: making content that people actually enjoy reading.”
That version didn’t just tell people my skills (content writing, SEO, strategy). It showed how I developed them and the mindset behind them. That’s what recruiters and clients often connect with: the story, not just the skill list.
Skills Section: Less is More (But Accuracy Matters)
Now, about that official “Skills” section. You’ve probably noticed people stuffing it with 50 different buzzwords: Microsoft Word, Leadership, Email, Teamwork, Critical Thinking. It looks impressive at first glance, but the truth is, recruiters barely glance at half of those.
Here’s where you want to be intentional. Pick the skills that really matter in your industry and that you can actually back up with examples. If you’re a UX designer, “Wireframing,” “User Research,” and “Prototyping” matter a lot more than “Microsoft Excel.” If you’re in HR, “Conflict Resolution” and “Talent Acquisition” will go further than “Email.”
And let’s not forget endorsements. They may seem superficial (and to be honest, sometimes they are), but having a few colleagues endorse you for a skill still signals that others recognize your ability. Don’t be shy about asking a trusted coworker or mentor to endorse you—it’s part of the LinkedIn culture. Just make sure you’re doing the same in return.
Work Experience: Skills Hidden in the Details
This is where most people miss opportunities. The job titles are there, the dates are there, and maybe a sentence or two about responsibilities. But that’s not enough. The experience section is where you show your skills through real-life application.
Instead of writing:
“Responsible for managing social media campaigns.”
Try:
“Created and managed a six-month Instagram campaign that grew followers by 35% and increased engagement rates from 2% to 6%.”
One is a task. The other is a result. And the result tells me a lot more about your skill. Whenever possible, use metrics, numbers, or even small anecdotes to highlight the impact of your work.
I once helped a friend rewrite their experience section. They had simply written “Assisted with website redesign.” That doesn’t exactly scream skill. We changed it to: “Collaborated with a three-person team to redesign company website, resulting in a 20% decrease in bounce rate.” Suddenly, they weren’t just an assistant—they were a contributor with measurable impact.
Recommendations: The Credibility Boost You Can’t Fake
If skills are the claims you make about yourself, recommendations are the receipts. A short paragraph from a manager or teammate carries weight that no self-written description can.
That said, don’t just wait around hoping someone will write you one. Reach out to people you’ve actually worked with and ask for a recommendation. Make it easy for them by gently suggesting the kinds of projects or skills you’d like them to highlight. For example, instead of saying “Can you write me a recommendation?”, you could say: “Would you mind writing a quick recommendation about the marketing project we worked on together, especially how I handled campaign strategy?”
It feels less awkward that way, and you’re more likely to get a specific, meaningful recommendation that adds credibility to your profile.
Show, Don’t Tell: LinkedIn’s Featured and Media Sections
One of LinkedIn’s most underrated features is the “Featured” section. This is where you can upload PDFs, link to portfolio pieces, or showcase a project you’re proud of. I’ve seen graphic designers use it as a mini-portfolio and writers link to published articles. For me, I once added a slide deck from a webinar I presented. That single upload led to two freelance inquiries within a month because it gave people a taste of my style and expertise.
Even if your work isn’t highly visual, you can still get creative. An HR professional could upload a case study on employee engagement. A teacher could share a short video explaining a lesson strategy. The point is: don’t just tell people you have a skill—show them.
Engage, Don’t Just Exist
Here’s where people often underestimate LinkedIn. It’s not just a profile; it’s a platform. You can showcase your skills by posting, commenting, and engaging with others. And no, this doesn’t mean you need to post motivational quotes every morning.
Think about small, skill-revealing interactions. A data analyst might share a quick tip about cleaning messy spreadsheets. A recruiter could post about what they look for in candidates. Even commenting thoughtfully on someone else’s post can demonstrate communication skills and subject matter expertise.
I once commented on a post about writing concisely, sharing my trick of reading sentences aloud to check flow. That tiny comment got more likes than the original post. Did it “go viral”? No. But it connected me with a few new people in my field. Sometimes showcasing your skills is as simple as showing up consistently in conversations that matter.
Don’t Over-Polish (Authenticity Wins More Often Than Perfection)
There’s a temptation to make your LinkedIn profile look flawless, but profiles that feel too polished can come across as impersonal. I’ve noticed people resonate more with profiles where the person sounds like, well, a person. A touch of vulnerability, a story about a project that failed but taught you something, or even admitting you’re learning a new skill—these things make you approachable.
Perfection signals polish. Imperfection signals humanity. And humanity often attracts opportunities.
Keep It Alive
Finally, remember that LinkedIn isn’t a “set it and forget it” profile. It’s more like a garden—you can’t just plant seeds and walk away. Update your skills when you gain new ones. Refresh your “About” section if your career focus shifts. Add new projects as they happen.
The profiles that stand out aren’t the ones frozen in time. They’re the ones that evolve.
Wrapping It Up
Showcasing your skills on LinkedIn isn’t just about filling in boxes or copying what others have done. It’s about telling your story, backing it up with evidence, and showing up where it matters.
Your headline sets the stage. Your “About” section brings your voice into the room. Your skills and endorsements provide the receipts, and your posts or featured content prove you’re not just talking—you’re doing.
And maybe the most important part? Letting people see the person behind the profile. That’s what makes skills come alive.
When I look back at the early days of my stiff, buzzword-filled LinkedIn, I cringe a little. But I also laugh, because we’ve all been there. The good news is, your profile is always a draft in progress. You can tweak, rewrite, and experiment until it feels like it actually represents you. And when it does, that’s when the right people start noticing—not just the skills on your list, but the value you bring to the table.