LinkedIn checklist for independent recruiters

Boost your linkedin profile - independent recruiter edition

Let's preface this with a moment of truth.

This is what I see many successful recruiters doing to build their presence and generate leads on LinkedIn. This being said, I don’t do most of this myself, just because I cannot stand LinkedIn as a platform and the influencer hype.

I'm omitting some of the practices that I really can't get behind, such as:

• 3x follow up linkedin messages (follow ups should be multi-channel)
• Engagement triggers (example: comment 'HIRE' to get your ...)
• Gating what could easily be a simple blog post behind an "ebook" just to collect email addresses, instead of sharing the value openly

LinkedIn profile setup

• Bio under 30 words - Clearly state whom you help and what results you deliver.
  • Example: I help SaaS startups hire top engineers who ship clean, reliable code.
• Banner shows proof or offer, not a quote - Highlight your expertise or a concrete result.
  • Example: "Placed 20+ Software Engineers in 2025 | Book a Consultation"
• Featured section - Include your website, portfolio, or best-performing posts.
  • Example: Link to a client success story or "Top 5 Engineering Roles Filled This Month."
• Professional headshot - Solid background, friendly, approachable.
• Profile links - Your call-to-action, not generic text like "My website."
  • Example: "Book a Free Candidate Consultation" or "View Open Roles"

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LinkedIn Content Mix

(Helps you attract both clients and candidates without spamming)

• 5 posts per week
• Top of funnel (2 posts) - Personal stories, recruiter lifestyle, trends
  • Example: "The unexpected lesson I learned from a candidate who turned down three offers in one week."
  • Example: "A day in the life of an independent recruiter: juggling client calls, candidate interviews, and coffee."
• Middle of funnel (1 posts) - Recruiter insights, tips, common pain points.
  • Example: "3 Mistakes SaaS startups make when hiring engineers and how to avoid them."
  • Example: "Why most startups struggle to hire engineers in under 60 days (and what I do differently)."
  • Example: "3 red flags to spot in a CV before you even schedule an interview."
• Bottom of funnel (2 posts) - Case studies, client results, lead magnets.
  • Example: "How I helped a fintech startup clarify their role requirements and attract better candidates."
  • Example: "Template: The checklist I use to screen candidates faster without missing key skills."
• Hooks - Keep under 3 lines, highlight a specific outcome.
  • Example: "Hiring shouldn’t feel like guessing. Here’s one way to know a candidate is right before the interview."
  • Example: "Most candidate pipelines fail because of one overlooked step. I fix it with this simple approach."

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Proof of success

(Show credibility and results)

• Screenshot results weekly - Placements, successful client projects.
  • Example: Screenshot: "Placed 3 senior engineers at StartupX in 14 days."
• Testimonials monthly, if possible - Short written testimonials or video clips from clients or candidates.
  • Example: "John from FinTechX talks about the quick placement process."
• Case study posts with actual outcomes - Share context, challenge, and result.
  • Example: "Challenge: Finding a Senior Frontend Developer in 3 weeks. Result: Hired first choice candidate 2 weeks."