Chapter 5. Build Your LinkedIn Keyword Bank

Before writing your profile, create a keyword bank. This gives you the language you will use across your headline, About section, career entries and skills.

Your keyword bank should include:

Target job titles

Function keywords

Seniority keywords

Technical skills

Leadership skills

Sector terms

Tools and systems

Methodologies

Commercial or operational keywords

Outcome keywords

Example for a Project Manager:

Project Manager

Programme Delivery

Digital Transformation

Stakeholder Engagement

Agile

Waterfall

Risk Management

Governance

Change Delivery

Budget Management

Cross-Functional Teams

Process Improvement

Supplier Management

PMO

Benefits Realisation

Example for an HR professional:

HR Business Partner

Employee Relations

Organisational Change

Workforce Planning

Policy Development

TUPE

Engagement

Culture

Leadership Coaching

Performance Management

People Strategy

Wellbeing

EDI

Union Consultation

HR Operations

Once you have your keyword bank, divide it into:

• Must-use keywords

• Useful supporting keywords

• Nice-to-have keywords

Your must-use keywords should appear in high-impact places, especially your headline, About section and skills.