This is a write-up of my usual process for reviewing applicants’ LinkedIn profiles. I collect information about people’s backgrounds and capabilities as they pursue product design and development careers.
Applications typically land on my table in two ways:
- My team has a new opening, and I’m actively seeking candidates. Qualified applicants have passed initial HR filtering and have been transferred to me.
- A person has contacted HR, a colleague, or me directly to inquire about a position in the team.
New opening in the team
When there’s a new opening, I already know the qualifications, requirements, and specific design domains needed for a future colleague. Based on the initial filter, I review applicants’ LinkedIn profiles, CVs, and portfolios. This becomes a matching game between the candidate and the defined position’s requirements.
The power of a cover letter
If somebody has reached out directly, I might not know which position could be filled or the specific requirements. This is a highly context-dependent situation. While I know current organizational needs, my evaluations are influenced by memory, mental capacity, and imagination. Most contacts are strangers, and to maintain confidentiality, I can’t ask others about these people.
To overcome this limitation, the best tool for the contacting person is to include a “cover letter.” Consider this a recommendation made by a mutual contact between you and me. It should come from someone who can describe you from personal experience, both as an individual and a professional. Ideally, this person would know my team’s position and future ambitions. The cover letter serves as a connection between us, illuminating your potential future tasks, projects, and responsibilities.
Optimizing your LinkedIn profile
When reviewing a candidate’s LinkedIn profile, I’m particularly interested in their career progression and capabilities. I pay special attention to evidence and hints about their future potential in my team and organization. Here’s how to make each section of your LinkedIn profile work harder for your design career:
Headlines your first impression
Headlines are introductions to your profile. Some people list their current positions and responsibilities, while others include generic adjectives, capabilities, or interests. This is your attention-grabbing space1. Use it wisely. Look at your Connections page and assess whose headlines make an impression on you.
Example of an effective headline for an early-career designer: “UX Designer | Creating user-centric digital experiences | Passionate about solving complex problems through design”
Connections building your professional network
Your connections and network benefit you in multiple ways. For me, as a reviewer, it provides first-hand evidence that you exist in the professional world. This network offers secondary evidence and proof of your experiences and career progression.
About section your career narrative
Your about section is as valuable as your cover letter. This is where you present the surface of your career, capabilities, personality, and future ambitions. Treat this section as the steering wheel of your career. It should be evergreen and developed over time. I understand how challenging it can be to write about yourself, but creating a strong LinkedIn profile is crucial.
Experiences showcasing your journey
The experiences section is highly valuable. On the surface, it lists how long you’ve worked in various organizational positions. Including role descriptions with responsibilities, achievements, and gained experiences makes this section particularly valuable, providing a closer contextual understanding of your work. Position-linked skills with endorsements serve as secondary proof of your performance. Your network and connections will work to your benefit here.
Skills demonstrating your expertise
LinkedIn has tweaked and redesigned the skills section numerous times. Early in their careers, people tend to list everything they know in the skills section. While I understand the motivation, it’s important to have evidence and connections with previous experiences, and preferably shareable case studies and stories to exemplify your proficiency. Be mindful to list only relevant, value-adding skills that align with your career goals in design.
Recommendations and endorsements
Lastly, I look for any recommendations the person has received. This is where a previous colleague has taken the time to think and express their thoughts and impressions about the candidate. Often, I learn something new about the candidate that hasn’t been described elsewhere in the profile. Giving and receiving recommendations can be culture-dependent, but the best way to overcome this is to act generously – give credit where it’s due.
Bringing it all together
Whether you’re applying for a specific position or seeking new opportunities in the design field, take time to prepare your case thoroughly. Understand what you’d like to gain from a potential team and organization. Provide clear evidence of your skills and competencies using your optimized LinkedIn profile. Use the cover letter to your advantage, making a strong connection between your experiences and the desired position.
Building and maintaining your career presence on LinkedIn is an ongoing process. Regularly update your profile to reflect your growing skills and experiences in the design world. By crafting a compelling career narrative on LinkedIn, you’ll increase your visibility to team leads and open doors to exciting opportunities in the competitive design field.
AIDA (Marketing). (2024). In Wikipedia. ↩︎
