Highlight Achievements Instead of Job Titles on LinkedIn

If your LinkedIn profile reads like a job application, you’re already behind. A few years ago, I met a senior leader who was brilliant at what he did. But when layoffs hit his company, he was left scrambling. His LinkedIn profile was a list of job titles and responsibilities—no personality, no insights, no unique value. He wasn’t positioning himself in the best light, and he knew it. As a former LinkedIn editor, I often see this as the biggest misconception about the platform: your LinkedIn profile is a digital resume. It’s so much more! It’s your platform to showcase your voice, your expertise, and your impact. If all you’re doing is listing tasks, you’re missing the opportunity to build influence and stand out. Here’s how to turn your LinkedIn profile into an asset: → Highlight outcomes, not tasks: Focus on the impact of your work. → Post about what you’re learning, trends in your field, or challenges you’re solving. → Show who you are beyond the bullet points. Make it personal by sharing your values, your insights, your passion. What’s the one thing on your LinkedIn profile right now that tells your story? PS: For even more insights on building your LinkedIn presence, you can dive into Chapter 3 of my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence.

I used to get jealous when I saw people brag about their accomplishments on LinkedIn. I understand why they do it, they're just going about it the wrong way. Highlighting your credibility helps build your personal brand which can build your bank account. But what if there was a way to show what you've achieved, while also displaying authenticity and empathy at the same time? There is, and I inadvertently created a three-step process for it. Whenever I share one my wins, I include the following: ‣ The thing I accomplished ‣ Something that occurred behind the scenes ‣ What can you learn from this experience that will help you For example: ‣ I was recently cast in a reality TV show ‣ I was told to dress a certain way for the premiere, I declined ‣ Rather than conforming to a culture, you can choose to contribute instead. ‣ I spoke at the Speak Your Way to cash event in Atlanta ‣ I forgot my belt so I had to make one out of two lanyards ‣ Being prepared is great, but sometimes you gotta improvise ‣ I interviewed Gary Vaynerchuk for Fiverr's series The Signal ‣ I was traveling at the time and had to ask ConvertKit to borrow their studio ‣ You’ll be amazed at who’s willing to help you, especially if you’ve nurtured the relationship These are all legit accomplishments. However, if I just focus on what I’ve done it doesn't help anyone but me. So try this out next time you have a big win (or even a small one) You’ll still get the acknowledgement. But if you help others along the way, you’ll gain fans and friends instead of followers and fakes. Plus, who’s going to share a post where someone else just brags about how great they are? ______ ♻️ If this post was helpful or inspiring, please share it and follow Terry Rice for more.

If your entire job search strategy is filling out applications, uploading your resume, and then waiting… you’re missing the bigger picture. I can only speak for the software job market, which is an absolute mess for job seekers. Qualified candidates are everywhere, and you must take extra steps to stand out. Marketing yourself to a hiring manager is not a sin. Yes, some companies should change their hiring practices. Yes, I've made a ton of mistakes when hiring people. Just this last week, I accidentally ghosted someone when I had a last-minute family event jump on the calendar. AND YES, this is off the back of my post last week, where I shared why I no longer read resumes and gave tips on how to stand out in the interview process. Most of you loved it (thank you!), but a few strongly disagreed... STRONGLY disagreed. Who knew people would be so passionate about resumes? I get it. People have different perspectives. However, a resume and job application alone aren’t enough to stand out from the crowd. I promised a few in the comments that I would follow up with tips on making your LinkedIn profile stand out. So let's do it. Start with the Headline: Avoid default titles like “Marketing Manager at XYZ.” Instead, showcase your value: “Driving Revenue Growth through Data-Driven Marketing” or “Empowering Teams to Create Scalable Strategies.” Spend Time on the About Section: This is your elevator pitch. Highlight your skills, achievements, and passions in 3-5 paragraphs. Make it you, not just a resume dump. Add Key Achievements to Your Experience Section: This is one of the most effective and least used. Use bullet points that emphasize results and impact. Quantify whenever possible (e.g., “Increased MQLs by 50% through revamped campaigns”). Keep it concise, but USE NUMBERS. Don't Ignore the Featured Section: Add links to your portfolio, blogs, presentations, or standout projects. This is the place to shine a spotlight if you’ve published articles or spoken at events. Keep Your Profile Active & Current: Update your profile with every new role, project, or milestone. Stale profiles give the impression of inattention. Set a calendar block or invite every other month to update your profile. Start there. Your LinkedIn profile is more than a digital resume because who wants to read a resume? It’s your chance to tell your story, highlight your skills, and make someone want to talk to you. Go forth and conquer.

Your LinkedIn profile isn't a resume. It's your positioning tool. Most professionals treat it like a formality. They copy and paste job titles. Add a few vague sentences. And hope the right recruiter stumbles across it. But if you're actively job searching or want to attract opportunities, you need more than a presence. You need intentional visibility. Here’s how to make your profile work for you: 1. Start with a headline that positions, not just describes Avoid default titles. Instead, show what you do and who you help. Think: “Helping companies scale through finance strategy” instead of “Finance Director.” 2. Make your ‘About’ section a pitch, not a paragraph This is your career story. Highlight your strengths, what you’re known for, and the problems you solve. Keep it human, clear, and forward-facing. 3. Use your experience section to show impact, not just activity Swap bullet points for results. What changed because you were in the role? Use numbers, outcomes, and key wins. 4. Make it searchable Use industry-relevant keywords naturally throughout your profile. This helps recruiters find you. 5. Include a clear call to action Let people know how to connect, refer, or message you. Don’t make them guess. Your LinkedIn profile shouldn't just say "I exist." It should say "Here's why I matter—and where I’m headed next." When done right, it becomes your most powerful tool for career growth, whether you're job searching or not. If you updated one part of your profile today, what would it be? Tell me in the comments.

Your Resume Isn’t a List of Responsibilities—It’s a Highlight Reel 🎬 If your resume reads like a job description, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Hiring managers don’t just want to see what you did—they want to see the impact you made. Here’s how to turn your resume from a boring list of tasks into a job-winning highlight reel: 1️⃣ Focus on Achievements, Not Duties ❌ Wrong: "Managed social media accounts for a B2B company." ✅ Right: "Increased LinkedIn engagement by 75% and grew followers by 20K in 6 months through targeted content strategy." 💡 Tip: Use the [Action] + [Result] + [Context] formula to frame your achievements. 2️⃣ Quantify Your Impact Numbers grab attention and help hiring managers understand the scale of your contributions. ✔ Sales Example: "Exceeded quarterly sales target by 35%, generating $2.5M in new revenue." ✔ Tech Example: "Optimized backend processes, reducing system downtime by 40%." ✔ Marketing Example: "Launched an email campaign that boosted conversion rates by 18%." 💡 Tip: Even if you don’t have exact numbers, estimate based on trends or improvements you contributed to. 3️⃣ Tweak Your Resume Summary (if not an "obvious" fit for the role) Your resume isn’t one-size-fits-all. Align your experience with the job you’re applying for. This doesn't have to take more than 5 min max. ✔ Mirror the language in the job posting in your resume summary & skills section. ✔ Highlight the most relevant experience at the top of each section. 🚀 Bottom Line: Your resume should showcase what makes YOU stand out. Ditch the generic job descriptions and turn your experience into a powerful career story.

𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. They don’t even care about your credentials (at first). What they do care about? Whether you can solve their problem. If your profile reads like a list of accomplishments, you’re losing potential clients. If your headline is just your job title, you’re missing an opportunity to stand out. If your ‘About’ section talks more about you than your audience, they’ll scroll past. Turn your profile into a magnet for the right people: ✅ Headline = Clarity → Instead of “Business Coach | Speaker | Trainer,” try “Helping Entrepreneurs Scale Without Burnout”. ✅ About Section = Story + Solution → Don’t just talk about your experience; show your audience how you help them. ✅ Featured Section = Proof → Case studies, testimonials, or a simple free resource, something that builds trust fast. ✅ CTA = Next Step → What should they do next? Book a call? DM you? Make it clear and obvious. Because at the end of the day, people don’t connect for fun. What’s one thing you’d change about your profile today? Drop it in the comments! 📩 Need help optimizing your profile to attract the right audience? Let’s chat. #PersonalBranding

Don't treat your LinkedIn profile like a placeholder. Make it a magnet! 🧲 When fully optimized, I've seen how well a profile performs to attract the right eyes: One of my clients updated her profile and, within weeks, was contacted by a Fortune 500 recruiter for a role she hadn’t applied for. Another individual secured a speaking invitation at an industry conference, thanks to her expertise being clearly showcased online. And my own husband? He’s been approached multiple times for high-level roles without submitting a single application — all because his profile clearly tells the story of what he does, who he helps, and the results he delivers. The truth is, opportunities often find you when you make it easy to be found. Here are 3 ways to optimize your profile today for better results: 1️⃣ Write a keyword-rich Headline. Go beyond your job title. Include targeted keywords and value-focused language that speaks directly to the roles you want. Instead of "VP of Operations", try: VP of Operations | Driving $200M+ Growth | Supply Chain Optimization & Lean Transformation 2️⃣ Complete your About section in a storytelling format. Share your career story in a way that feels human. Highlight your “why,” your wins, and the impact you’ve made. Don't just provide a list of skills or basic details. Replace “Results-oriented leader with 20 years of experience” with: "I build organizations that scale. Over the past two decades, I’ve led teams of 500+, delivered $200M in new revenue, and turned underperforming divisions into market leaders." 3️⃣ Fully build out your Experience section. Don’t stop at job titles and dates. Include achievement-driven bullet points with context, actions, and results so people can see exactly what you bring to the table. Swap “Responsible for managing projects” for: "Delivered 12 concurrent projects on time and under budget by implementing agile workflows and weekly cross-team reviews." When your profile is complete, compelling, and clear, it works for you 24/7.

Over the last year, I've reviewed about 150 resumes for people from LinkedIn. I noticed I was frequently giving similar suggestions, so I fed in a sample of my feedback into an AI tool and asked it to summarize the most common themes. * Focus on Results and Impact: When describing your experience, emphasize the outcomes and impact of your actions rather than just listing your responsibilities or the tools you used. Where possible, quantify your accomplishments with metrics and use the “situation, action, result” format to clearly demonstrate the value you brought. Focus on the results and positive changes that occurred due to your efforts. * Improve Clarity, Conciseness, and Readability: Ensure your resume is easy to read and understand. Be concise in your descriptions, shorten long summaries and job descriptions, and remove any redundant or repetitive information. Pay attention to formatting consistency, including font sizes, bullet points, and spacing. * Be Specific and Provide Detail: When describing your roles and projects, provide concrete details about what you actually did. Avoid vague or generic descriptions and instead use stronger, more definitive language to explain your specific contributions. Clearly articulate the “what” and “why” behind your actions and initiatives. * Refine Language and Avoid Weak or Overused Terms: Use clear, direct, and impactful language throughout your resume. Avoid subjective terms, overused words like “leveraged” or “spearheaded”, and generic phrases that don’t convey specific information. Focus on using language that clearly communicates your skills and accomplishments. * Tailor Content and Structure to the Audience and Goals: Customize your resume for each specific job application by highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the target role. Consider reordering sections to prioritize the most important information and define any technical terms or jargon that your audience might not be familiar with. I wrote a more complete article about what I learned from this experience on my website, check it out below: https://lnkd.in/gYmGzhMV

What do you do when your job title undersells the level of work you’re actually doing? Someone asked me recently how to handle a title that does not reflect their responsibilities or seniority. This can be especially challenging in L&D, where titles vary widely across organizations. A “training manager” in one company may own enterprise learning strategy, manage a large budget and advise senior leaders. In another, the same title may describe a much narrower role. That inconsistency can create problems in the application process. Here's the advice I offered. Hopefully it can help others: - Make the scope of your work unmistakable on your résumé. Lead with what you own: strategy, budget, team, technology, vendors, business outcomes and executive relationships. Keep your official title for accuracy, but add a clarifying descriptor when helpful, such as “Program Manager | Function Lead for Global Learning Operations.” - Use your LinkedIn headline to communicate your expertise and level. Rather than simply repeating your title, highlight the function you lead, the problems you solve or the business outcomes you support. - Prioritize referrals and recruiter conversations over cold applications. A conversation gives you the opportunity to explain your scope before someone uses your title as a shortcut for your level. -Ask colleagues and leaders for recommendations that reinforce your influence, leadership and business impact. Third-party validation can help hiring teams understand how you operate beyond your formal title. - Consider creating a portfolio that highlights major initiatives, measurable outcomes and examples of strategic work. This can be especially useful in L&D, where the scope and impact of the work are not always obvious from a résumé alone. - Where possible, ask for an internal title correction. Even without a promotion or compensation change, a more accurate title may improve your external mobility. One caution: do not replace your official title with an inflated one. Clarify the level of the work, but keep it accurate. In L&D, titles are inconsistent. Evidence of scope, influence and impact has to do the work the title cannot. Have you ever had a title that understated the work you were doing? What helped you overcome it in your job search? #LearningAndDevelopment #LDCareers #CareerDevelopment #JobSearch #TrainingProfessionals

Tip of the Week. If Your LinkedIn Profile Still Looks Like a Resume, That’s a Problem If your LinkedIn profile reads like your resume, you are leaving opportunity on the table. Here’s how I usually explain it to candidates. Your resume is a movie trailer. Its job is to spark interest and get someone to lean in. Your LinkedIn profile is the movie’s website. It is where people go when they want more context, more depth, and a better sense of the story. Recruiters and hiring managers do not use LinkedIn the same way they use resumes. They are scanning for direction, clarity, and signals. They want to understand who you are, what lane you are in, and why your background makes sense for the roles they are hiring for. Most profiles miss that. They lead with titles. They list responsibilities. They sound formal, safe, and forgettable. That is a problem in today’s market. A strong LinkedIn profile tells a story. It connects the dots between roles. It shows progression, judgment, and impact. It answers the unspoken question quickly: why this person, for this kind of role, right now? This does not mean turning your profile into a motivational speech or personal diary. It means being intentional. The profiles that get attention tend to: • Clearly state what they do and who they help in plain language • Highlight accomplishments and themes, not task lists • Show how their experience fits together, not just where they worked • Make it easy for someone to picture them in the role Titles matter. Story matters more. Your resume gets you into the process. Your LinkedIn profile gets you into conversations. If your profile still looks like a copy and paste of your resume, it might be time to rebuild it with the story in mind. #TipOfTheWeek #LinkedIn #careers #jobsearch #professionalgrowth #recruiting #personalbrand