8 ways to catch hiring managers’ attention on LinkedIn

In life sciences, the small details matter. Every protocol, trial milestone and regulatory submission counts. Your LinkedIn profile should be no different, it needs to be precise, polished and packed with proof that you’re an expert at what you do. Having a strong personal brand can be a game changer. Professionals who share content and build their presence on LinkedIn aren’t just seen, they’re remembered.

With LinkedIn now the world’s largest professional marketplace, boasting over 1 billion members across 200+ countries, the competition for visibility has never been higher. Recent research shows that nearly three-quarters of hiring managers review social media when evaluating candidates, and many have even rejected applicants based on what they find. If you want hiring managers to notice you, your profile needs to work as hard as you do.

Ready to stand out on LinkedIn? Here are 8 ways to up your game and build a personal brand that stands out:

1. Choose the right profile picture

Think of your profile photo as your first handshake, calm, confident and professional.

Best practices:

• Use a recent photo that looks like you.
• Ensure the lighting and angle are flattering, ask for help if needed.
• Fill about 60% of the frame with your face.
• Dress as you would for work.
• Smile naturally, it really makes a difference.

Avoid: holiday photos, cropped-out group shots or selfies taken in poor lighting.

Why it matters: Profiles with photos get up to 21x more views, so don’t skip this.

2. Create a compelling headline and about section

Your headline has prime real estate on your profile. Go beyond your job title by showcasing your specialisation, key skills and the impact you deliver.

Examples:

Clinical Ops: “Clinical Operations Manager | Oncology Trials | Phase I–III | Patient-Centric Focus”

Regulatory Affairs: “Regulatory Affairs Specialist | Global Submissions (EU/US) | Cell & Gene Therapy”

Medical Affairs: “Medical Affairs Manager | Clinical Education | Cross-Functional Collaborator”

Treat your about section as your elevator pitch. Keep it snappy, measurable and aspirational. Aim for:

• 4–6 sentences
• Measurable achievement
• Therapeutic/functional specialisation
• A global angle if relevant

Example

“Life sciences professional with 8+ years in global clinical trial management across oncology and rare disease portfolios. Experienced in Phase I–III trial execution, site monitoring and regulatory compliance. Passionate about driving patient-centric studies and operational excellence.”

3. Show proof, not just titles

Your experience section is your opportunity to really showcase your expertise. Numbers, milestones, impact and bullet points are your friend.

Examples:

• Led Phase II oncology trial across 12 sites, reducing protocol deviations by 30%
• Managed EU and US regulatory submissions for 3 cell & gene therapy INDs
• Developed site training programme adopted across Europe, boosting compliance by 25%

Why it works: Numbers provide clarity. They show scale, capability and impact, especially valuable in regulated environments.

4. Make yourself easy to find

Keywords help your profile appear in recruiter searches. Use them naturally across your profile in your headline, about section, experience and skills. LinkedIn rewards specificity.

Mini cheat sheet:

• Clinical Ops / CRA Phase I–III • GCP • Site Monitoring • TMF • Protocol Adherence • CRO Oversight
• Regulatory Affairs: IND • NDA • MAA • CTA • Submissions • EMA/FDA pathways • Lifecycle Management
• Medical Affairs: KOL Engagement • Scientific Communication • Medical Education • RWE
• Biometrics / Biostatistics:  SAS • R • CDISC • SDTM • Statistical Modelling • Data Analytics

Also:

• Customise your LinkedIn URL (linkedin.com/in/yournamespecialism) beats a string of random numbers
• Ensure contact info (email, location, open to work) is updated.

5. Elevate your education & certifications

Education and certifications signal technical credibility, but hiring managers now look for more than degree titles. They want indicators of continuous learning, regulatory fluency, and cross-regional awareness.

Include:

• Degrees: BSc/MSc/PhD, and specialisation
• Regulatory-aligned certifications: GCP, ICH E6(R2), PMP, RAC, Lean Six Sigma, PV/Drug Safety
• Short courses showing current competence, e.g.,
  • “Clinical Trial Design — Coursera”
  • “FDA Regulatory Affairs — RAPS”
  • “Statistical Thinking — Harvard Online”

Example (improved):

MSc Clinical Research — University of Manchester, UK (2021)
Focus: clinical trial design, pharmacovigilance, ethics, rare disease enrolment.
Thesis: Improving recruitment efficiency in rare disease clinical trials.

Certifications:

• GCP (ICH E6 R2)
• PMP — Project Management Institute
• RAC (EU/US)
• Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt)
• Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance (CPD accredited)

Expert Tip: Posting about completed training boosts profile visibility and signals active professional development, a major plus for hiring teams.

6. Request recommendations

Recommendations are like mini testimonials that validate your experience. They carry more weight than endorsements alone.

How to do it right:

• Choose people who know your work well, managers, colleagues, or clients
• Personalise your request: explain why you’d value their recommendation and what you hope it highlights.
• Keep it concise and professional: a paragraph that showcases impact and collaboration is perfect.
• Start writing recommendations for colleagues, many will naturally return the favour.

Example request message:

“Hi [Name], I’m refreshing my LinkedIn profile and would really value a recommendation from you. If possible, it would be great if you could highlight our collaboration on [project]. Thank you in advance.”

7. Be active

A quiet profile is an invisible profile. Even the strongest CV won’t stand out if your LinkedIn presence looks inactive. Posting regularly signals that you’re engaged in the industry, staying current with trends, and invested in your professional growth, all traits hiring managers look for.

What to share:

• Project insights or lessons learned: Short reflections on challenges solved, process improvements, or key takeaways from recent work.
• Industry news with your perspective: Add a brief opinion or highlight why the update matters in your field (regulatory change, therapeutic breakthrough, trial innovation, etc.).
• Milestones and achievements: Certifications, course completions, conference attendance, team successes, or project milestones or submission approvals

Why it matters:

LinkedIn prioritises active users in search results. Posting just 1–2 times per week could increase your visibility in recruiter searches, making it far more likely that hiring managers will discover your profile.

Pro tip: You don’t need long posts, even a short insight, comment, or reshare keeps your profile current and helps build your professional credibility.

8. Network strategically

Your network isn’t just a number, it’s a reflection of your professional footprint. Build connections deliberately:

• Connect with colleagues, hiring managers, recruiters, and industry peers.
• Endorse skills of people you’ve worked with; many will return the favour.
• Comment on posts, even short insights significantly boost visibility.
• Keep connections relevant, prioritise quality over quantity.

Join LinkedIn groups and communities

Being active in relevant LinkedIn groups can boost your visibility, keep you updated on industry trends, and expose you to job opportunities. Groups often share:

• Job postings and career opportunities
• Industry news and regulatory updates
• Networking opportunities with peers and hiring managers
• Discussions and thought leadership that can showcase your expertise

Examples of LinkedIn groups to follow:

• LABORATORY Professionals International
• Pharmaceutical & Medical Network: Biotech, Healthcare, Pharma, Devices, Science, Jobs, Events & News
• Clinical Research Professionals
• Biotechnology and Biopharma Community
• FiercePharma: A Network of Pharmaceutical Professionals

Pro tip: Participate in discussions, comment on posts, and share relevant updates. Active engagement not only builds credibility but also helps you get noticed by recruiters and peers.

Quick checklist before you hit publish

✅ Headline is clear, specific, and searchable

✅ About section is punchy and achievement-focused

✅ Experience bullets highlight measurable impact

✅ Skills & endorsements are relevant

✅ Keywords are included naturally

✅ Network is strategic and targeted

✅ You’re posting, engaging and sharing updates regularly

Final thought

72% of recruiters rely on LinkedIn during the hiring process, so make sure you stand out.
When your profile is polished, targeted, and fully optimised, you’re not just visible, you stand out from the crowd. In today’s competitive life sciences market, a sharp LinkedIn presence can be the difference between blending in with hundreds of candidates or being the one headhunters reach out to first.