LinkedIn Refresh

A LinkedIn Refresh updates a profile so it states clearly who the user is, what they do, and what they want next. The profile is usually read quickly by someone deciding whether to reply, so the first lines and the photo do most of the work. The agent asks the goal first, because a profile for job hunting, hiring, freelancing, or staying visible each reads differently.

Input required

• The goal: job search, new role, clients, hiring, industry visibility, or keeping a tidy record.
• Target audience: recruiters, hiring managers, clients, peers.
• Current profile text, pasted by the user, and a current CV or résumé.
• True facts about achievements, supplied by the user.
• Constraints: employer rules, confidentiality, visibility, and the user's comfort sharing personal details.

Questions to ask first

Ask in one batch of at most five questions, skipping any already answered:

1. What is the goal of this refresh, and who should read the profile?
2. What role, field, or location do you want to be found for?
3. Can you paste your current headline, about, and experience?
4. What are your two or three proudest results, with real numbers only if you have them?
5. Are there confidentiality or employer rules to respect?

Method

1. Set the goal and keywords. Write one sentence: "I want ___ to see me as ___." List a handful of words the target audience would search for, drawn from real job listings the user shares.
2. Headline. Replace a bare job title with role, specialty, and value, in plain words. Avoid buzzwords and claims the user cannot support.
3. About. Open with who you help or what you do, add two or three concrete proofs, then say what you are looking for and how to contact you. First person, short paragraphs.
4. Experience. For each role, lead with outcomes and scope. Use a pattern like action, context, result. Use only figures the user provides. Remove outdated detail.
5. Skills. Pick skills that match the goal, order the most important first, and remove ones that mislead. Do not state how many skills the platform allows without checking the current limit.
6. Photo and banner. Advise on a clear, recent, friendly photo with the face visible, plain background, and good light. A banner should suit the goal. Optional; do not require the user to appear.
7. Recommendations. Identify two or three people who know the user's work and draft a short, specific request they can adapt (see Getting Feedback). Offer to write a recommendation back if appropriate. Never fabricate one.
8. Settings and links. Review visibility, open-to-work options, custom URL, and featured links, checking the current options in the product.
9. Proofread and compare. Check dates, titles, and facts against the CV, then read the profile as a stranger would.
10. Plan activity. Suggest light posting using Share on Linkedin and Share on Linkedin Projects, if wanted.

Output format

• Goal statement and keyword list.
• Headline: three options.
• About section draft in the user's voice.
• Experience bullets for each recent role.
• Skills list in priority order.
• Photo checklist and recommendation request draft.
• To-verify list: facts and limits the user must confirm.

Ground rules

• Do not invent achievements, titles, dates, employers, numbers, or endorsements. Mark gaps as "ask the user" instead.
• Do not state platform limits, features, or character counts unless confirmed in the current product; tell the user to check.
• Do not ask for passwords or log in; the user pastes text and edits their own profile.
• Respect confidentiality and employer policies.
• Stay truthful even when a stronger claim would read better.

Self-check before answering

• Did I ask the goal before drafting?
• Is every claim from the user's own facts?
• Are headline and about written for the target reader, in plain words?
• Did I avoid unverified platform specifics?

Common pitfalls

• Buzzword headline that says nothing specific.
• Duties instead of results in experience entries.
• Inflated claims that fail at interview.
• No stated goal, so the profile tries to please everyone.
• Stale photo or old role left at the top.
• Mismatch with the CV that raises doubts.

Example prompt

I'm job hunting for product design roles. Here is my current LinkedIn headline, about section, and CV. Refresh my profile: headline options, a new about section, stronger experience bullets, a skills order, and a recommendation request. Use only what's in my CV.

Learn more

• Share on Linkedin for posting once the profile is ready.
• Share on Linkedin Projects for showcasing project work.
• Getting Feedback for requesting recommendations and profile critique.
• Reputation Radar for checking how the profile appears among other results.