--- title: Is Your LinkedIn Profile Quietly Holding You Back? description: Your LinkedIn profile could be influencing your job search more than you realise. Discover practical tips to improve visibility, build confidence and attract flexible career opportunities. image: https://www.ten2two.org/hubfs/Copy%20of%20finding%20career%20direction%20webinar%20blog.png --- [![logo](https://www.ten2two.org/hubfs/Ten2two_2023/Images/General/logo.svg)](https://www.ten2two.org/) - [Why Us](https://www.ten2two.org/why-us) - [Our Team](https://www.ten2two.org/why-us#team) - [Our Story](https://www.ten2two.org/why-us#story) - [B-Corp](https://www.ten2two.org/a-commitment-to-purpose-beyond-profit) - [Employers](https://www.ten2two.org/employers) - [Flexible Options](https://www.ten2two.org/flexible-options) - [Business leaders](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/perfect-partner-for-business-leaders) - [HR Teams](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/complementary-fit-for-hr-teams) - [Process & Fees](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/spec-interview-appoint) - [Client Charter](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/complementary-fit-for-hr-teams#client) - [Other Services](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/flexibility-advisory-consulting) - [Candidates](https://www.ten2two.org/candidates) - [Jobs](https://www.ten2two.org/jobs) - [Register](https://jobs.ten2two.org/registration.aspx) - [Flexible Options](https://www.ten2two.org/flexible-options#flexible-formats) - [Career Support](https://www.ten2two.org/products) - [Testimonials](https://www.ten2two.org#story) - [Candidate](https://www.ten2two.org/testimonial/candidates) - [Employers](https://www.ten2two.org/testimonial/employers) - [Career Support](https://www.ten2two.org/products) - [CV Support](https://www.ten2two.org/cv-support) - [Interview Practice & Coaching](https://www.ten2two.org/interview-support) - [1:1 Career Support](https://www.ten2two.org/career-support-ten2two) - [1:1 Student Support](https://www.ten2two.org/student-support) - [Resources](https://www.ten2two.org/resources) - [Candidate blog](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/candidates#tags) - [Employer blog](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/employers#tags) - [Webinars](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/webinars#tags) - [Podcasts](https://www.ten2two.org/podcast) - [Briefs](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/briefs#tags) - [Contact Us](https://www.ten2two.org/contact) - [Why Us](https://www.ten2two.org/why-us) - [Our Team](https://www.ten2two.org/why-us#team) - [Our Story](https://www.ten2two.org/why-us#story) - [B-Corp](https://www.ten2two.org/a-commitment-to-purpose-beyond-profit) - [Employers](https://www.ten2two.org/employers) - [Flexible Options](https://www.ten2two.org/flexible-options) - [Business leaders](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/perfect-partner-for-business-leaders) - [HR Teams](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/complementary-fit-for-hr-teams) - [Process & Fees](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/spec-interview-appoint) - [Client Charter](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/complementary-fit-for-hr-teams#client) - [Other Services](https://www.ten2two.org/employers/flexibility-advisory-consulting) - [Candidates](https://www.ten2two.org/candidates) - [Jobs](https://www.ten2two.org/jobs) - [Register](https://jobs.ten2two.org/registration.aspx) - [Flexible Options](https://www.ten2two.org/flexible-options#flexible-formats) - [Career Support](https://www.ten2two.org/products) - [Testimonials](https://www.ten2two.org#story) - [Candidate](https://www.ten2two.org/testimonial/candidates) - [Employers](https://www.ten2two.org/testimonial/employers) - [Career Support](https://www.ten2two.org/products) - [CV Support](https://www.ten2two.org/cv-support) - [Interview Practice & Coaching](https://www.ten2two.org/interview-support) - [1:1 Career Support](https://www.ten2two.org/career-support-ten2two) - [1:1 Student Support](https://www.ten2two.org/student-support) - [Resources](https://www.ten2two.org/resources) - [Candidate blog](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/candidates#tags) - [Employer blog](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/employers#tags) - [Webinars](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/webinars#tags) - [Podcasts](https://www.ten2two.org/podcast) - [Briefs](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/briefs#tags) - [Contact Us](https://www.ten2two.org/contact) [Register](https://jobs.ten2two.org/members.aspx) [Sign in](https://jobs.ten2two.org/registration.aspx) ![Search](https://www.ten2two.org/hubfs/25625369/Ten2two_2023/Images/General/search.png) [Sign in](https://jobs.ten2two.org/registration.aspx) [Register](https://jobs.ten2two.org/members.aspx) × [![](https://www.ten2two.org/hubfs/Ten2two_2023/Images/Blog/left.svg) Back to resources](https://www.ten2two.org/resources) # Is Your LinkedIn Profile Quietly Holding You Back? When was the last time you properly reviewed your LinkedIn profile? For many professionals, LinkedIn gets updated in a rush when job searching begins — or worse, left untouched for years. But in today’s market, your profile often creates a first impression long before a CV is even opened. Recruiters regularly search LinkedIn to identify suitable candidates, and employers increasingly use profiles to assess experience, credibility and fit. The good news? You don’t need to become a “LinkedIn expert” or spend hours online to make your profile work harder for you. A few thoughtful updates can significantly improve your visibility and confidence. ## Your Headline Matters More Than You Think One of the most common mistakes we see is a headline that simply lists a current or previous job title. Your headline is valuable space. It should quickly communicate: - what you do - your expertise - your sector or specialism - and, where relevant, the type of opportunities you’re seeking For example, instead of: **“Marketing Manager”** You could say: **“Experienced B2B Marketing Manager | Content, Campaigns & Brand Strategy | Open to Flexible & Part-Time Opportunities”** It’s clearer, more searchable and instantly tells people more about you. ## Focus on Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities Your experience section shouldn’t read like a job description. Instead of listing tasks, try highlighting: - achievements - outcomes - improvements you made - projects delivered - commercial impact - team leadership - efficiencies introduced Even small examples help demonstrate value and capability. ## Don’t Hide Career Breaks Many returners worry about gaps on their profile, but career breaks are increasingly common and understood. Whether you stepped away to raise children, care for family, study or reassess your direction, you do not need to apologise for it. A short, confident explanation is usually enough. In many cases, being open and positive about your career journey feels far more credible than trying to avoid it altogether. ## Make It Easy for Recruiters to Find You LinkedIn is essentially a search engine. That means keywords matter. Think about the job titles, skills and phrases employers are likely to search for and include them naturally throughout your profile — particularly in your: - headline - About section - skills section - and experience descriptions Reviewing current job adverts can be a great source of inspiration here. ## Flexible Working Is Nothing to Hide If you’re looking for part-time, hybrid, remote or flexible opportunities, it’s absolutely fine to reflect that on your profile. In fact, being clear about the type of work you’re seeking can help attract the right opportunities and save time on unsuitable approaches. The market for flexible, fractional and portfolio careers continues to grow, particularly for experienced professionals bringing strong commercial value and expertise. ## Small Updates Can Make a Big Difference Your LinkedIn profile does not need to be perfect. But keeping it current, clear and confident can make a real difference to how you’re perceived — and how easily opportunities find you. If you’re not sure where to start, download our [free LinkedIn Checklist](https://www.ten2two.org/hubfs/LinkedIn%20Checklist%20updated%20may%2026.pdf) for practical step-by-step guidance to help strengthen your profile.   ![](https://www.ten2two.org/hubfs/Ten2two_2023/Images/Blog/date.svg) 3 min read Category: [Candidates](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/candidates) [blog](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/tag/blog) May 27, 2026 Share - - - ## More resources like this [![Your Online Brand & Job Hunting](https://www.ten2two.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Returners%20finding%20your%20career%20direction%20-blog%20image.png?width=352&name=Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Returners%20finding%20your%20career%20direction%20-blog%20image.png)](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/your-online-brand-job-hunting-25) ##### [Your Online Brand & Job Hunting](https://www.ten2two.org/resources/your-online-brand-job-hunting-25) If you’re unsure how social media can help or hinder you when job searching, this webinar will help... 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