How Engineers Can Strengthen Their LinkedIn Profile When Job Hunting
HOW ENGINEERS CAN STRENGTHEN THEIR LINKEDIN PROFILE WHEN JOB HUNTING
Practical advice from SimWest Engineering Recruitment
LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful tools available to engineers who are open to new opportunities. For hiring managers and specialist recruiters, it’s often the first place they look when searching for talent, particularly in manufacturing, machinery, automation and FMCG environments.
At SimWest Engineering Recruitment, we review hundreds of engineering profiles every year. The strongest ones follow a few clear principles. If you’re actively job searching, or simply want to be found for the right roles - here’s how to make your LinkedIn profile work harder for you.
1. Your Headline Should Say More Than Your Job Title
Your headline isn’t just a label - it’s searchable real estate.
Instead of a generic title like Mechanical Engineer or Electrical Engineer, use the space to show what you specialise in and where you add value.
Stronger examples:
- Mechanical Design Engineer | Special-Purpose Machinery & Automation
- Electrical Engineer | FMCG Manufacturing | PLC Fault Finding
- Controls Engineer | PLC/HMI/SCADA | Siemens & Allen-Bradley
Recruiters and hiring manager search using keywords. The clearer your headline, the more likely your profile is to appear in the right searches.
2. Use a Clear, Professional Profile Photo
You don’t need a studio shoot - but you do need clarity.
Choose a recent, well-lit photo where:
- Your face is clearly visible
- The background is neutral
- You look approachable and professional
Workwear or smart casual is perfectly acceptable for engineers. Avoid group photos, site PPE shots, or anything cropped from social events.
3. Customise Your LinkedIn URL
A personalised LinkedIn URL looks cleaner and more professional, especially when sharing your profile with recruiters or adding it to a CV.
For example: linkedin.com/in/firstname-lastname-engineer
It takes less than a minute to update and immediately improves how your profile is perceived.
4. Write a Summary That Explains What You Do and What You’re Open To
This section is often overlooked, but it’s one of the first things recruiters read.
A strong summary should briefly cover:
- Your engineering background
- The industries or environments you’ve worked in
- Key technical strengths
- The type of role or projects you’re interested in
You don’t need to write an essay. Clear, human language works best.
Example structure:
Mechanical Engineer with 8+ years’ experience designing and building bespoke machinery for food and FMCG manufacturers. Strong background in SolidWorks, machinery build, and working closely with production teams. Particularly interested in automation-led environments and long-term development opportunities.
5. Be Selective With Skills (Quality Over Quantity)
LinkedIn allows up to 50 skills, but more isn’t always better.
Focus on:
- Core technical skills
- Systems, software, and machinery you actually use
- Transferable skills relevant to your next role
For example:
- PLC Fault Finding
- SolidWorks
- Machinery Build & Assembly
- Project Engineering
- Continuous Improvement
Endorsements help, but relevance matters more than volume.
6. Turn Your Experience Into Achievements
Avoid listing responsibilities word-for-word from your CV.
Instead, focus on:
- What you improved
- What you delivered
- The impact of your work
Before:
Responsible for machinery design
After:
Designed bespoke processing equipment for FMCG clients, contributing to improved throughput and reduced downtime on customer sites
Numbers help, but clarity matters more.
7. Recommendations Add Real Credibility
A short recommendation from:
- A line manager
- A project lead
- A senior engineer
…can significantly strengthen your profile.
If you ask, be specific. For example:
Would you mind mentioning the machinery projects we worked on together or my role in commissioning?
Quality recommendations often carry more weight than qualifications.
8. Use Projects to Show Real Engineering Work
LinkedIn allows you to feature projects, documents, and links - ideal for engineers.
Examples include:
- Machinery or automation projects
- Commissioning work
- Design concepts or layouts
- GitHub links (for software or controls engineers)
You don’t need to share confidential information, just enough to demonstrate your hands-on experience.
9. List Certifications and Ongoing Training
Engineering doesn’t stand still and neither should your profile.
Include:
- Technical certifications
- Software training
- Lean / Six Sigma
- Health & Safety or compliance training
This shows commitment to development, which many employers actively look for.
10. Be Visible, Not Just Present
You don’t need to post daily, but activity helps.
Simple actions like:
- Liking or commenting on industry posts
- Sharing a completed course
- Engaging with engineering content
…can improve visibility and signal that you’re engaged in your profession.
11. Keep Your Profile Current
If you’re open to opportunities, your profile should reflect where you are now, not where you were two years ago.
Update:
- Your latest role
- New responsibilities or projects
- Any change in direction or specialism
Recruiters and hiring manager can only work with what they see.
12. Think Like a Search Engine
LinkedIn works much like Google.
That means keywords matter.
Review job adverts you’re interested in and mirror:
- Job titles
- Software names
- Machinery types
- Industry terms
Use them naturally across your headline, summary, and experience sections.
Practical Advice for Engineers Considering Their Next Move
A well-structured LinkedIn profile doesn’t just help you get noticed, it helps you get noticed for the right roles.
Clarity, relevance, and honesty go a long way. Whether you’re actively job searching or simply open to the right opportunity, a strong LinkedIn profile puts you in control of the conversation.
If you’d like tailored feedback on your profile or advice on positioning yourself within the engineering market, that’s exactly what we do at SimWest Engineering Recruitment.