The 3 Biggest Mistakes People Make on Their LinkedIn Profiles and How to Fix Them

LinkedIn has become an essential platform for professionals across industries to showcase their skills, experience, and value. Yet, despite its importance, many users make critical errors that limit their profile’s effectiveness and visibility. Having reviewed countless LinkedIn profiles, I have identified three major mistakes that people commonly make. These errors can significantly reduce your chances of attracting recruiters, networking opportunities, and meaningful connections.

In this guide, I will walk you through these three biggest LinkedIn profile mistakes, explain why they matter, and provide actionable tips on how you can optimize your profile to stand out. Whether you’re actively job hunting or simply looking to build your professional brand, these insights will help you leverage LinkedIn’s full potential.

Mistake 1: Ineffective Use of the LinkedIn Headline

The LinkedIn headline is one of the most visible and important sections of your profile, yet it is often underutilized or poorly crafted. Many users simply put their job title and company name, such as “Accountant at XYZ Company” or “Project Manager in City ABC.” While this information is factual, it doesn’t communicate how you add value or why someone should connect with you.

I used to make this mistake myself. But I’ve learned that the headline is a prime opportunity to showcase your unique value proposition and what you bring to the table. Instead of just stating your role, think about how you help others and the impact you create. For example, my headline reads, “Helping one million finance professionals master accounting”. This clearly communicates my mission and the value I offer.

Why is the headline so important? Because it appears in multiple places beyond your profile page:

• Chat windows – When you message someone on LinkedIn, your headline appears under your name, giving immediate context about who you are.
• Comments – When you comment on posts, your headline shows alongside your comment, acting like a mini-introduction to anyone reading.
• Search results – Your headline is one of the first things people see when they search for professionals with your skills.

In fact, your headline can appear in over a dozen different places within LinkedIn’s interface. Despite this, many people leave this space under-optimized, missing a huge opportunity to make a strong impression.

How to optimize your LinkedIn headline:

1. Focus on value: Instead of just stating your job title, describe how you help others or what problems you solve.
2. Use keywords: Include industry-relevant keywords that recruiters or potential clients might use to find someone like you.
3. Be concise but compelling: You have around 220 characters, so make every word count.
4. Showcase your mission or unique selling point: What sets you apart? What are you passionate about?

Remember, your headline is often the first impression you make on LinkedIn, so make it count.

Mistake 2: Neglecting the Featured Section

The second major mistake I see is that many LinkedIn users either don’t use the Featured section at all or don’t use it strategically. The Featured section is a relatively new addition to LinkedIn (introduced around 2021-2022) and offers a powerful way to showcase your best work, projects, articles, or other content that builds your credibility.

Think of the Featured section as a portfolio or highlight reel right on your profile. Here, you can pin:

• Articles or blog posts you’ve written
• Links to online courses or certifications
• Project summaries or case studies
• Videos or presentations
• Your company’s website or product pages

For example, on my profile, I feature our Certified Digital Finance Professional (CDFP) program, my YouTube channel, and my Udemy courses. This gives visitors immediate insight into what I offer and establishes my expertise.

Unfortunately, many people leave this section blank or pin outdated posts that don’t reflect their current skills or goals. Some may pin posts from years ago that no longer represent their professional brand. This is a missed opportunity to visually demonstrate your value and credibility.

How to use the Featured section effectively:

1. Select relevant and recent content: Highlight projects, articles, or media that showcase your expertise and align with your career goals.
2. Update regularly: As you accomplish new things, refresh this section to keep it current and engaging.
3. Use a mix of media types: Combine articles, videos, links, and documents to create a rich, multi-dimensional portfolio.
4. Align with your headline and summary: Make sure the featured content supports the message you’re conveying about yourself.

By actively curating your Featured section, you can make your LinkedIn profile far more compelling and memorable.

Mistake 3: Missing Call to Action and Contact Information

The third critical mistake is failing to provide clear contact information or a call to action (CTA) on your profile. Imagine a recruiter or potential client lands on your profile, is impressed by your experience and skills, but then struggles to figure out how to reach you. This is a frustrating experience that can cost you opportunities.

Many LinkedIn users don’t include their email address, phone number, or any other way for people to contact them directly. Some may hesitate to share personal contact details, which is understandable. However, there are ways to make yourself reachable without compromising privacy, such as using a professional email address or a secondary phone number.

Additionally, LinkedIn provides several options to add CTAs and contact methods:

• Add your email address in the contact info section.
• Provide a phone number, if comfortable, or a secondary number dedicated to professional contacts.
• Include links to your website, portfolio, or booking page to encourage direct engagement.
• Use the “Add profile section” feature to include additional URLs or profiles, such as your personal blog or social media accounts.

I’ve personally encountered situations where I wanted to follow up with a candidate but couldn’t because their contact information was missing. Don’t let this happen to you.

How to add effective calls to action:

1. Make your contact info visible: Add your email and phone number in the designated LinkedIn sections.
2. Use URLs strategically: Link to your website, portfolio, or scheduling page to facilitate easy communication.
3. Include a clear CTA in your summary or headline: For example, “Contact me for consulting inquiries” or “Book a free consultation.”
4. Keep it professional: Use a dedicated professional email and phone number to maintain boundaries.

Providing clear contact options and CTAs makes it easier for recruiters, clients, and collaborators to take the next step with you.

Summary: The Three Must-Fix LinkedIn Mistakes

To recap, the three biggest mistakes people make on LinkedIn profiles are:

1. Underutilizing the LinkedIn headline: Your headline should do more than state your job title. It must communicate your value and appear consistently across LinkedIn.
2. Ignoring the Featured section: Use this space to showcase your best work, projects, and content to build credibility and engage visitors.
3. Missing calls to action and contact info: Make it easy for people to contact you by including your email, phone number, and links to relevant pages.

By addressing these three areas, you can transform your LinkedIn profile from a static resume into a dynamic personal brand platform that attracts opportunities and connections.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the LinkedIn headline so important?

The headline is one of the first things people see on your profile, in search results, and even in chat windows or comments. A strong headline conveys your value proposition and makes you memorable, increasing the chances of connections and opportunities.

What kind of content should I feature in the LinkedIn Featured section?

Feature recent and relevant work such as articles, project summaries, videos, certifications, or links to your portfolio. Choose content that highlights your expertise and aligns with your professional goals.

How can I protect my privacy while sharing contact info on LinkedIn?

You can use a professional email address separate from your personal one and consider a secondary phone number or a business line. This way, you remain reachable without compromising your personal privacy.

Can I add a call to action if I don’t have a website?

Absolutely. You can include CTAs inviting people to message you directly on LinkedIn, connect for networking, or book a call via scheduling tools linked in your profile.

Is it necessary to update my LinkedIn profile regularly?

Yes. Keeping your profile, especially the headline and Featured section, up to date ensures you present your current skills and achievements, making you more attractive to recruiters and collaborators.

Final Thoughts

Your LinkedIn profile is much more than a digital resume—it’s a powerful tool for professional networking and personal branding. By avoiding these common mistakes and optimizing your headline, Featured section, and contact information, you can unlock LinkedIn’s full potential. Take the time today to review and refine your profile, and watch how it transforms your professional opportunities.