Are you actively job hunting or just looking to grow your professional presence online?
If your LinkedIn profile is set to private, you might be missing out on golden opportunities – like recruiters finding your profile through Google search or potential clients checking out your credentials before reaching out.
The good news? You can make your LinkedIn profile public in just a few clicks – and once you do, you’ll boost your visibility, grow your network, and increase your chances of landing your next gig or dream job.
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Let’s break it down.
Why Should You Make Your LinkedIn Profile Public?
Most recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn daily to search for candidates. But they don’t just use the platform – they also use Google, Bing, and other search engines to find professionals with specific skill sets.
If your profile is private or partially visible, you’ll be invisible to those outside your LinkedIn network—which means fewer opportunities coming your way.
Benefits of a Public LinkedIn Profile:
- Appears in Google search results
- Lets non-LinkedIn users view your achievements
- Showcases your skills and experience to clients or collaborators
- Increases your credibility and personal brand visibility
Bottom line: A public LinkedIn profile is like an online resume – available 24/7 to the world.
How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Public
Making your profile visible to everyone takes less than five minutes. Here’s how:
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Log into LinkedIn.
- Click on “Me” (top right corner) > Select “View Profile.”
- On your profile page, look to the right and click “Edit public profile & URL.”
- Under the “Edit Visibility” section on the right-hand panel, toggle the switch to ON for “Your profile’s public visibility.”
- Below that, you’ll see a list of profile sections – check the boxes for the areas you want visible, such as:
- Profile photo
- Headline
- Summary/About
- Current and past job experience
- Education
- Skills
- Honors & awards
- Projects, publications, or certifications
Tip: Enable as many sections as you’re comfortable sharing. The more complete your public profile, the better your chances of being found and contacted.
What About the “Interested In” Section?
LinkedIn allows you to publicly display what you’re open to – like job inquiries, consulting work, business opportunities, or networking.
This section can be found under “Additional Information” or by scrolling to the bottom of your profile’s Edit mode.
Good for:
- Job seekers
- Freelancers looking for clients
- Professionals exploring partnerships or speaking opportunities
Concerned your current employer might see it?
That’s valid. You can either uncheck career opportunities or explain that it’s part of LinkedIn’s default visibility options. Many users keep it on for visibility and deal with questions if they come up.
Tips: Customize Your LinkedIn Profile URL
While you’re adjusting your public visibility settings, take a moment to make your profile URL cleaner and more professional.
Why? It looks better on resumes, business cards, and email signatures.
Here’s how:
- Go to the “Edit public profile & URL” page.
- On the top right, click the pencil icon next to your current URL.
- Create a short, clean version like
linkedin.com/in/janesmithinstead of a string of random numbers.
Other Profile Optimization Tips (Once You’re Public)
Making your profile public is a great first step – but you still need to make it impressive. Here’s how to boost your visibility even more:
- Add a professional headshot (no selfies!)
- Write a clear, keyword-rich headline that goes beyond your job title
- Craft a compelling About section that tells your story
- Include your top skills – especially those relevant to your field
- Request endorsements and recommendations from past coworkers or clients
- Keep your experience and education up to date
- Regularly share posts or articles to stay active on the platform
Quick Checklist: What Should Be Public on LinkedIn?
| Section | Should You Make It Public? |
|---|---|
| Profile Photo | Yes – Use a professional image |
| Headline | Yes – Use keywords relevant to your role |
| Summary/About | Yes – Tell your story in a few compelling paragraphs |
| Work Experience | Yes – Highlight responsibilities and wins |
| Education | Yes – Especially if you’re early in your career |
| Skills | Yes – Helps recruiters match you to roles |
| Honors & Awards | Yes – Adds credibility and uniqueness |
| Contact Info | Optional – Only if you’re okay being contacted outside LinkedIn |
In today’s digital-first world, visibility is opportunity. Making your LinkedIn profile public is like saying, “Hey world, here’s what I do – and I’m open to new opportunities.”
Whether you’re job hunting, freelancing, or just building your personal brand, don’t hide behind a private setting. Let recruiters, clients, and industry peers see the amazing work you’ve done.
Because you never know who’s searching for someone just like you.
