LinkedIn Profile Audit Checklist: Fix These Issues to Get More Recruiter Views

Most professionals have at least five significant issues with their LinkedIn profile that are costing them recruiter views, connection requests, and job opportunities. A profile audit takes about an hour — and the returns can be significant.

Work through this checklist and fix what you find.

Photo

Do you have a profile photo?
Is it a recent photo (within 3–4 years)?
Is it a clear headshot — face and shoulders, well lit, in focus?
Does it look professional (appropriate background, appropriate clothing)?
Is it just you in the photo?

Fix if not: Get a good-quality headshot. A phone with good lighting in front of a plain wall is sufficient. Profiles with photos receive far more views than those without.

Banner / Background Image

Have you replaced the default blue LinkedIn banner?
Does your banner reinforce your professional identity?

Fix if not: Add a banner image related to your industry, a location you are associated with, or your field of work. This takes five minutes and makes your profile look more intentional.

Headline

Does your headline do more than list your job title and employer?
Does it include relevant keywords for your target role?
Is it 150–220 characters, using the space available?

Fix if not: Rewrite your headline to include your role, key skills, and one differentiator.

About Section

Is your About section filled in?
Does the first two to three sentences hook the reader before the "see more" click?
Does it describe what you do, who you help, and what you bring?
Does it end with a call to action?
Is it written in first person?

Fix if not: Write or rewrite your About section from scratch. This is the highest-leverage change you can make.

Experience

Does every recent role have a description?
Do descriptions use bullet points and action verbs?
Do descriptions include at least one quantified achievement per role?
Is your current role marked as current?

Fix if not: Add or improve descriptions for your last three to five roles.

Skills

Have you added at least 20 relevant skills?
Do your top three pinned skills reflect what you most want to be found for?
Have you removed outdated or irrelevant skills?

Fix if not: Update your skills list to 20–30 current, relevant skills.

Education

Is your degree listed with institution, subject, and dates?
Have you added relevant professional qualifications?

Fix if not: Complete your education section, including professional qualifications in Licences and Certifications.

Recommendations

Do you have at least one recommendation on your profile?
Is at least one recommendation from a recent manager or senior colleague?

Fix if not: Ask one or two former managers or colleagues for a recommendation. Offer to write one for them in return.

Connections

Do you have at least 100 connections?
Are your connections in your industry or target industry?

Fix if not: Connect with former colleagues, classmates, and industry contacts. Quality matters more than volume, but 500+ connections meaningfully improves your profile's search ranking.

Custom URL

Have you set a custom LinkedIn URL using your name?

Fix if not: Takes two minutes. Do it now.

Contact Information

Is your email address up to date?
Have you added your location?
Have you linked to a portfolio, personal website, or CV if relevant?

Fix if not: Update your contact info section to be complete.

Activity Settings

Are you set to Open to Work (recruiters only) if you are actively searching?
Have you turned off activity broadcast notifications if you are making changes you want to keep private?

After the Audit

Fix the highest-priority issues first: photo, headline, About section, experience descriptions. Then work through the rest over a week or two.

Use CVCircuit alongside your optimised LinkedIn profile to ensure your CV matches the quality and consistency of your improved online presence.