LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job search. Being mindful of LinkedIn SEO makes LinkedIn an even more powerful tool.

LinkedIn may be the best place online to reconnect with your neglected network, expand your network to include new people (including executive recruiters), and demonstrate your subject matter expertise and thought leadership.

Even if you passively sit back and don’t take advantage of the many networking activities and features LinkedIn offers, a fully fleshed out, keyword-rich, SEO-friendly LinkedIn profile will help you land a great-fit gig.

But I strongly urge you not to be passive with LinkedIn, when you’re actively job-hunting.

What is LinkedIn SEO and Why Are Keywords So Important?

Executive recruiters and hiring decision makers at the companies where you want to work search LinkedIn for viable candidates using relevant keywords.

Strategically placed, the right keywords elevate your search rankings in LinkedIn’s search engine, increasing your profile’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and significantly boosting the likelihood you’ll be found and considered by them.

Along with containing enough of the right keywords in the right places, it’s important that your profile contains plenty of content. More content = more relevant keywords = better findability

Some LinkedIn profile sections carry better SEO weight

The content in every section of your LinkedIn profile should contain the most-searched relevant keywords specific to your targets, and support your executive brand and the value you offer them.

But the content in certain sections – typically those that sit higher on the web page on which your profile sits – rank higher with LinkedIn’s search algorithm.

Three important places for LinkedIn SEO are your name field, professional headline, and job titles.

But don’t neglect the Summary section.

With 2,000 characters at your disposal, the Summary section also needs to be packed with your most brand-reinforcing relevant keywords.

Where do you find these make-or-break relevant keywords?

By researching each of the employers on your target list to determine which areas of expertise and strengths you must possess to meet their current challenges and needs.

But wait . . . Maybe you need to take a step back.

You need to start by identifying at least 10 target companies and/or organizations that will be a good mutual fit.