How do you feel about LinkedIn lately? Ick? Fatigue? A painful flashback to hours spent applying for “the job that got away”? A twitch of dread at the thought of firing up a job search… again?
We get it. LinkedIn is a beast, and your relationship might be complicated. But whether or not we like it, it’s still the single most important tool for getting a job today.
That’s why we interviewed Artisan Talent’s pro recruiter, Rachel Martinic, to learn exactly how to build an ideal profile.
LinkedIn Profile 101: Everything You Need To Know
1. Is my LinkedIn profile really that important?
100% yes. More often than not, recruiters and hiring managers scan LinkedIn profiles first. It's still the most powerful way to be found by a recruiter. Think about it as a billboard for you as a candidate. A fast, high-level glimpse into your experience.
“Sometimes I have five seconds on a LinkedIn profile.” — Rachel Martinic, Director of Recruitment
If it’s not strong, they move on.
2. What are the non-negotiables?
Rachel walked us through her process:
“I look at the photo and make sure it looks professional. Then I quickly read over the summary, so it needs to be concise. I like when people include both professional and a bit of personal information. From there, I check the dates to make sure they line up, look for current experience without big gaps, and then scroll to see if there’s a portfolio at the bottom. From that, I can usually decide if someone is aligned enough with the role to spend more time.”
Translation? Your profile pic, summary, experience dates, and portfolio link are make-or-break.
3. So, my profile pic needs to be professional?
“It doesn’t have to be taken by a photographer, but it has to look like you showed up for work that day.” — Rachel
4. How important is the summary, and do I include personal details?
Very. Rachel loves to see both professional and personal details here.
“On LinkedIn, it feels more acceptable to include personal information. Those details are what draw me to certain profiles. That little piece of info could land you a job in an industry you’re passionate about.”
Pro tip: skip the generic “coffee + dogs” (unless your target job is with an espresso or pet brand!) and make it memorable.
5. Do I need include my portfolio link on my LinkedIn profile?
YES. Non-negotiable. If you take nothing else away from this post, take this.
“If there’s not a portfolio link, and I’m reviewing a lot of resumes, I often move on to the next person. If I have time, I’ll reach out and ask for samples, but I don’t always have that time.” — Rachel
Bottom line: Recruiters cannot assess creatives without seeing their work. And in a competitive market, they will move on to someone they can assess easily.
Add your portfolio link in Contact Info → Website. Make it your single source of truth.
(P.S. We went deep on portfolio must-haves here.)
6. Anything else that people miss?
Typos.
“Make sure there are no typos or grammar issues. Plug all your information into ChatGPT and do a check. It’s a free proofreader.” — Rachel
7. What about keywords?
Recruiters search by them. If the right words aren’t in your Headline, About, or Skills section, you might never get found.
Rachel confirmed: “Those go into my initial search query when I’m looking for candidates.”
Keyword basics:
- Use industry-specific titles and terms.
- Add the tools, platforms, or specialties you want to be hired for.
- Keep your skills section curated (not a dumping ground).
8. How recent should my experience be?
Very. Recency signals readiness. If your profile hasn’t been updated in 2+ years, it reads stale.
Highlight your most current role and keep everything up to date, even if it’s freelance or project-based.
The Five Second Rule
Rachel reminded us that recruiters don’t have endless time. You’ve got seconds to make your profile clear, current, and compelling.
Okay, that’s a lot. Let’s zoom out.
TL;DR
Want recruiters to stop scrolling and move you forward? Do this:
- Add your portfolio link in the contact info. Seriously, do it now.
- Have a solid profile pic.
- Write a summary with a touch of personal.
- Update your experience often.
- Proofread. Then do it again.
LinkedIn isn’t about being the loudest voice in the feed. It’s about being the clearest, sharpest, most readily accessible version of you. Get that right, and recruiters will give you more than five seconds.
Ready to put it to work? Connect with Artisan Talent. Our recruiters know what it takes to get creatives hired.
