8 tips to build a strong LinkedIn profile

At Pauwels Consulting, we value personal connection, visibility and professional growth. Whether you are taking your first career steps or looking to advance to the next level, your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression you make. That is why we have created this guide to help you build a profile that truly reflects who you are, both professionally and personally.

These eight practical steps will help you create a LinkedIn profile that stands out and helps others get to know you better.

1. Choose a professional and approachable photo

Your profile picture is your digital handshake. According to LinkedIn, profiles with a photo are seven times more likely to appear in search results. That is a powerful advantage, but it is important to use the right kind of photo.

A clear and professional headshot with good lighting works best. You want to look sharp and approachable. A warm and friendly smile helps to create a personal connection right from the start.

One tip from Pauwels Consulting is to use a photo with a clean, blurred background. You can achieve this effect by using a professional camera or the portrait/blur mode on your smartphone. A blurred background helps your picture stand out while keeping the focus squarely on you, creating a polished and professional look that fits well with LinkedIn’s overall aesthetic.

2. Craft a headline that highlights your expertise and ambitions

Your headline is much more than just your job title. It is a snapshot of who you are as a professional and what you bring to the table. It is also one of the first things people see when they search for you or hover over your name.

Use this space to highlight your key skills and areas of expertise. Think about the words someone might type when they are looking for a professional like you. The more closely your headline reflects your skills, the easier it becomes for the right people to find you.

One of our ambassadors once said that a creative headline helps you stand out, but it is always important to keep it clear and professional.

Here are a few examples to illustrate how your headline can go beyond just a job title:

• Tailoring IT, Engineering and Business solutions for fintech, government and logistics

• Key Account Manager at Pauwels Consulting | Your partner for tailored solutions in Pharma and Biotech

• Engineering Consultant at Pauwels Consulting | Optimising processes and driving innovation in industrial automation

These examples show how you can combine your role with your industry expertise and the value you offer. This makes it easier for others to understand not just what you do, but also how you can help them.

3. Use the summary section to tell your personal story

Your summary is your chance to introduce yourself. It is more than a list of skills or a copy of your CV. This is the place to explain what motivates you, where your strengths lie and what you hope to achieve in the future.

At Pauwels Consulting, we always encourage our consultants to write in the first person. This keeps your profile personal and approachable. Whether you are sharing your career story, your ambitions or your passion for a specific industry, your summary helps others connect with the person behind the profile.

4. Highlight your current role and your impact

Your current position gives people a clear picture of what you are doing today. Whether you are a consultant working on site with a client or part of our back office team, use this section to describe your responsibilities, your projects and the value you bring to your team or client.

If you are a student or currently between jobs, this is still a valuable section. Use it to highlight your skills, interests and the steps you are taking to prepare for your ideal role.

5. Share your career journey

Just like we value the personal journeys of each consultant at Pauwels Consulting, your LinkedIn profile should reflect your own professional path. Your past experiences help shape who you are today, and they also show how you have grown over time.

Focus on the roles, internships or projects that truly contributed to your development. Every step of your career adds value, but you do not need to list everything. Keep it relevant to the story you want to tell.

We also advise adding 3-5 short bullet points about your main responsibilities within each role or project, highlighting your key achievements and impact.

6. Highlight your skills and strengths

Your skills section is a great opportunity to give a clear overview of your professional expertise. We always recommend adding at least four key skills to your profile. These should cover the areas where you excel and the topics you want to be known for.

When you add these skills, LinkedIn will automatically invite your connections to endorse you. These endorsements help strengthen your credibility and make your profile even more attractive to potential clients or employers.

7. Add your education and relevant qualifications

Education is an important part of your professional story. Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned expert, your degrees and certifications help paint a full picture of your expertise.

Start with your higher education and work your way forward. There is no need to include your high school diploma, but do feel free to mention any special achievements such as honours, thesis topics or awards.

8. Build your network by connecting with at least fifty people

At Pauwels Consulting, we know that strong professional connections can open the door to exciting opportunities. On LinkedIn, building your network is just as important. Profiles with at least fifty connections are more likely to appear in search results and have access to more platform features.

A great way to start is by connecting with your colleagues, former classmates and past collaborators. Every connection helps expand your network and creates new opportunities to share knowledge and support each other’s growth.

Your LinkedIn profile is not just an online CV. It is a living and evolving reflection of who you are as a professional. At Pauwels Consulting, we know that every consultant brings something unique to the table. Your profile should reflect your personality, your strengths and your ambitions.