How to Stand Out to Recruiters
When it comes to job hunting, LinkedIn is no longer optional. With over 930 million users globally, it’s the first place hiring managers, talent partners and recruiters go to validate who you are, what you’ve done, and where you could fit in next.
In today’s digital-first recruitment landscape, your LinkedIn profile must do more than mirror your
stand out CV - it should elevate it. It’s your chance to showcase personality, prove your expertise and, crucially, get discovered for the roles you want most.
Here’s how to craft a profile that not only stands out, but sells you - effectively and authentically.
1. Nail Your Headline and Summary
Many people still default to job titles in their headline (e.g. “Sustainability Manager”). But your headline appears in search results, connection requests and job applications - make it work harder.
Better Headline Examples:
- "Helping businesses scale sustainably | ESG Strategy | Net-Zero Champion"
- "Data Scientist | Carbon Modelling | Turning climate data into business decisions"
Summary Tips:
- Keep it personal and purposeful
- Include relevant skills and achievements
- Show why you’re passionate about your work or sector
Example:
"Experienced Sustainability Consultant with 8+ years working across the built environment, energy and consumer sectors. I help organisations accelerate their journey to net zero by designing data-driven carbon reduction strategies. Passionate about climate action, system change and collaborative leadership."
✅ Use keywords aligned to your desired roles
✅ Inject personality, not buzzwords
✅ Keep it under 300 words
2. List Every Role & Show Impact
Recruiters use LinkedIn to assess your career journey, not just your job titles. So give context. Explain what each organisation does, what your role involved, and what impact you had.
For each role:
- Use 3–5 bullet points
- Lead with action verbs
- Highlight specific achievements, using data where possible
Example:
Sustainability Analyst
XYZ Renewables, Jan 2021 – Present
- Built emissions tracking dashboards for three major clients, supporting Scope 1–3 reporting
- Developed ESG reporting templates adopted by 20+ internal teams
- Contributed to 2030 net-zero roadmap, helping client reduce carbon intensity by 18% in two years
✅ Use keywords like ESG, carbon accounting, energy transition, impact reporting
✅ Don’t just describe, quantify!
3. Skills: The More Relevant, The Better
According to LinkedIn, members with five or more relevant skills listed receive up to 17x more profile views.
Green and Future-Fit Skills to Consider:
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Carbon Footprint Analysis
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Circular Economy Principles
- ESG Reporting
- Sustainable Supply Chains
- Data Visualisation (Power BI, Tableau)
- Python or R for data modelling
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Agile Project Delivery
Top Tip: Prioritise skills found in the job descriptions you’re targeting.
✅ Add 15–25 skills that reflect both technical and soft strengths
✅ Rearrange them to show your most relevant first
4. Recommendations and Endorsements Matter
Real testimonials build credibility. Ask colleagues, clients or mentors to leave a short recommendation that highlights your unique strengths.
You can also endorse others’ skills - most people will return the favour.
5. Keep It Fresh and Aligned
Your profile should evolve as you do.
Update your:
- Profile photo: Use a clear headshot, should be professional but doesn't have to be formal, look down the lens and smile!
- Banner: Add a background that reflects your sector or values
- Featured section: Share a project, article, talk, or achievement
- Certifications: Add recent courses (e.g. Carbon Literacy, AgilePM, PowerSkills)
- Volunteering and causes: These add depth and personality
6. Be Active in your Community
Demonstrate your knowledge and passion by engaging in relevant conversations or better still, lead the conversation! Not only will this showcase your passion but it will build up your community & network which will also increase your visibility when your dream job becomes available! Follow our page for regular conversations and opportunities to shine!
Helping You Get Noticed
At Green Talent Solutions, we connect organisations with talent that drives progress. Whether you're applying to work in data, tech or sustainability, we know what recruiters are looking for on LinkedIn - and how to help you stand out.
💡 Need help refining your LinkedIn profile? Reach out to
Jake.Carrington@edensmith.co.uk
