Quick answer
Put the exact job titles and hard skills recruiters search on your LinkedIn: your target role (in the headline), the specific tools and methods from the job descriptions you want (in your About, experience and Skills), and industry terms and certifications. Use recruiters' exact wording — 'SQL', 'Registered Nurse', 'MEDDIC' — not vague umbrella phrases like 'results-driven professional.'
The four kinds of keywords that matter
1) Job titles — the exact roles you want ('Product Manager', 'Registered Nurse', 'Account Executive'), placed first in your headline. 2) Hard skills and tools — the specific, filterable skills from your target job descriptions ('SQL', 'Figma', 'Salesforce', 'FP&A'). 3) Certifications and credentials — 'PMP', 'CPA', 'ACLS', 'AWS Certified'. 4) Industry and specialty terms — 'B2B SaaS', 'critical care', 'demand generation'.
Skip the soft, generic phrases that fill most profiles — 'hard-working', 'results-driven', 'team player', 'passionate.' Recruiters don't search those, so they add zero visibility. Replace them with the concrete terms recruiters actually type.
Where to place them
Your headline carries the most search weight, so your primary job title goes there. Repeat your core skills naturally across your About section and experience bullets, and list 15–20 of them in the Skills section — which is a direct recruiter search filter. The goal is natural coverage, not stuffing: use each term where it genuinely fits.
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Get my free score →Frequently asked questions
How do I find the right keywords for my target role?
Read 5–10 real job descriptions for the exact roles you want and note the titles, skills, tools and certifications that repeat. Those recurring terms are what recruiters search for that role — put the ones that honestly apply to you on your profile.
Is keyword stuffing bad on LinkedIn?
Yes. Cramming a hidden list of keywords reads as spam to recruiters and can feel dishonest. Use each keyword naturally in a real sentence or in the Skills section. Natural, relevant coverage ranks well and still reads as credible.
How many skills should I list?
List 15–20 relevant skills. LinkedIn lets you add up to 50, but focus on the specific, in-demand skills tied to your target role rather than padding the list with generic ones. The Skills section is a direct recruiter filter, so accuracy matters more than volume.
How do I find which keywords I'm missing?
Standout's free visibility checker scores your profile 0–100 against recruiter search and flags the specific keywords you're missing for your target role — instantly, no card required.