How to Build a Strong LinkedIn Profile with the Right Tools

While some people may take everything they see on LinkedIn with a grain of salt, the truth is that it’s a go-to platform for building a strong business network. Here, you have the highest odds of getting hired and finding potential prospects. Not only that, even those who are against checking their applicants’ social media might take a look at their LinkedIn. 

It’s a centralized database that contains all your work history and publications, as well as your skills and recommendations. In other words, it summarizes your past achievements, and your posting history alone might be enough to facilitate the hiring process. 

In other words, a strong LinkedIn profile is a powerful asset, but it won’t just spawn out of thin air. LinkedIn is a social network. While it may reflect a part of your life (in this scenario, a professional side of your life), it is not necessarily a 1:1 reflection of reality. It reflects the effort you put into it.

With that in mind, here’s how you can build a strong LinkedIn profile and bolster your efforts using adequate tools. 

Use an AI-powered resume builder

Writing a solid resume takes a surprising amount of effort, and even small mistakes can make you look unpolished. Hiring managers have seen thousands of resumes, and they can spot fluff from a mile away. They’ll assume you don’t have much to say if you’re using vague descriptions or overused buzzwords. That’s where a tool like resume builder helps you craft a clear, concise resume that stands out.

LinkedIn summaries work a lot like resumes. The limited space means you have to be strategic about what you include. You can’t just copy and paste your job descriptions – you need to frame your achievements in a way that makes an impact. AI tools can analyze your content, suggest stronger phrasing, and make sure you’re highlighting the right things. That’s how you ensure that every word adds value. 

A well-structured resume increases your credibility. If your formatting is inconsistent or your layout looks cluttered, people might assume you lack attention to detail. AI resume tools don’t just improve your wording; they also format everything properly. This way, you come across as professional before anyone even reads a word.

The best part? These tools save you time. Instead of agonizing over phrasing or struggling with design choices, you can focus on what matters – showcasing your expertise. A polished, AI-assisted resume doesn’t just look good on LinkedIn; it ensures you get noticed by the right people. 

Even if you already have a decent LinkedIn summary, these tools can help refine and update it over time. As your career evolves, your profile should evolve with it. AI-powered builders make it easy to tweak and adjust your resume, ensuring that it always reflects YouTube’s latest achievements and skills. 

Create the perfect profile photo with image editing tools

A good profile photo isn’t optional – it’s your first impression. If your picture is grainy, poorly lit, or just a casual selfie, it’s working against you. The easiest fix? Use an image editing tool like Adobe Express or Fotor to enhance your photo and make sure it looks professional.

Lighting and background also play a huge role in how polished your image appears. You don’t need a studio setup—just use a tool to adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness. A simple background remover can eliminate distractions and keep the focus on you. Even small edits can make a huge difference in how people perceive you. 

You don’t want to go overboard. Over-edited or heavily filtered photos look unnatural, and that’s not what LinkedIn is for. The goal is to look like the best version of yourself, not a different person entirely. A few subtle tweaks can make you look more polished without making it obvious that you edited the photo.

Another important thing to consider is consistency. If your LinkedIn photo doesn’t match the professional tone of your other platforms, it can create a disconnect. Image editing tools let you maintain a cohesive look across different profiles, reinforcing your personal brand and making you more recognizable to potential connections. 

It’s not just about editing, though. If your current photo isn’t great, AI-based tools like PortraitPro can enhance facial features, adjust lighting, and even suggest better angles. The right adjustments ensure that your LinkedIn presence looks as professional as your skills and experience suggest. 

Design a standout LinkedIn banner with Canva

Most people leave their LinkedIn banner blank or stick with the default background, but that’s a wasted opportunity. Your banner is free real estate for branding, and with a tool like Canva, you can create a custom banner that reinforces your expertise without needing any design skills. 

A well-designed banner instantly makes your profile look more polished and professional. It can include a tagline about what you do, feature a subtle background related to your industry, or even highlight your website or social media links. The goal is to make your page feel more personal and intentional – like an actual brand rather than just another LinkedIn profile. 

Also, Canva makes maintaining consistency easy. You can match your LinkedIn banner to your existing branding if you have a personal website, blog, or business. This makes you more recognizable across platforms, which helps if you’re growing your online presence. A cohesive visual identity makes you look more established and credible. 

Beyond aesthetics, a great banner can also be a conversation starter. If it features a bold statement or a call to action, it gives visitors a reason to reach out. A simple tweak like this can turn passive profile views into actual networking opportunities. 

Canvas’ templates simplify the process even further. You can pick a layout designed for LinkedIn, drop in your details, and tweak the colors to fit your style. Even if you’re not a designer, Canva ensures your profile looks like you put serious effort into it. 

Boost your writing with Grammarly for a polished ‘About’ section

Your ‘About’ section is your chance to tell your story, but you don’t want it to sound like a dry list of accomplishments. The problem? Writing something engaging while keeping it professional isn’t always easy. That’s where Grammarly comes in – it helps refine your wording so your message is clear and compelling. 

Also, readability matters. If your ‘About’ section is one big wall of text, people will skim past it.  Grammarly’s suggestions can help you break things up, cut unnecessary words, and properly structure everything. A well-organized section makes it easier for people to understand who you are and what you bring to the table.

Moreover, writing tone plays a big role in how you come across. You don’t want to sound robotic, but you also don’t want to be too casual. Grammarly can analyze your text and suggest adjustments to make sure your tone is professional yet natural. This helps you strike the right balance without overthinking every sentence. 

Plus, Grammarly’s AI-powered clarity suggestions help make your writing sharper. It can identify vague phrasing, redundant words, and awkward sentence structures, ensuring that your ‘About’ section feels crisp and to the point. A refined message makes a stronger impact.

Even beyond LinkedIn, Grammarly is a great tool for improving all your professional writing. Whether it’s emails, blog posts, or even cover letters, using Grammarly ensures that everything you put out there reflects well on your communication skills. This is important both in personal communication and when trying to network within a public community. 

Schedule posts with Buffer to stay active on LinkedIn

Posting regularly on LinkedIn keeps your network engaged, but let’s be real – it’s hard to stay consistent. You might have great insight to share, but if you’re only posting once every few months, you’re not building visibility. That’s why using Buffer to schedule posts ahead of time is a game-changer.

Timing matters. If you post at random times when no one is online, your content will reach fewer people. Buffer lets you schedule posts at peak engagement hours, making sure your insights actually get seen. The more people engage with your content, the more LinkedIn boosts your visibility in feeds.

A tool like Buffer allows you to plan out content in advance, so you’re not scrambling to come up with something last-minute. You can batch-create posts and schedule them across the month, ensuring you stay active without constantly logging in. This keeps your profile relevant without feeling like a chore. 

Beyond scheduling, Buffer provides analytics on the performance of your posts. You can see what topics resonate with your audience and adjust your content strategy accordingly. A well-planned posting schedule combined with performance insights ensures that your LinkedIn presence leads to meaningful connections.

Plus, LinkedIn rewards consistency. When you post regularly, the algorithm pushes your content to more people. Buffer ensures you stay active even on weeks when you don’t have time to manually post, keeping you in the loop without the extra effort. 

Your LinkedIn profile deserves all the attention it can get

Building a strong LinkedIn profile doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The right tools make the process easy, whether it’s crafting a polished resume, perfecting your headshot, or scheduling posts to stay active. 

Also, a little automation goes a long way – why struggle with formatting or phrasing when AI can fine-tune it for you? The key is strategically using these tools so your profile highlights what makes you valuable.