LinkedIn is a key platform for professionals looking to restart their careers in STEM. It’s more than an online CV—it’s a place to showcase your skills, demonstrate your expertise, and connect with potential employers.
For returning STEM professionals, a strong profile can help bridge the gap between past experience and future ambitions. Whether you’re actively job searching or positioning yourself for future opportunities, these steps will help you create a profile that highlights your skills, experience, and potential.
Start with a Strong Headline and Summary
Your headline and summary are the first things people see when they visit your profile. They should clearly communicate your professional identity and career goals.
Headline
Instead of just listing your last job title, use this space to highlight your skills and industry.
✅ Example:
- Experienced Mechanical Engineer | Renewable Energy | Problem-Solver & Innovator
- Software Developer | Python | Machine Learning Enthusiast
If you are currently seeking opportunities, you can include a phrase like “Open to New Opportunities” but avoid making this the only focus.
Summary (About Section)
Your summary should provide an overview of your skills, experience, and aspirations. It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge your career break positively and frame it as part of your professional journey.
✅ Example:
“I am an experienced software engineer with a passion for developing innovative solutions in AI and machine learning. After a planned career break to focus on personal development and continuous learning, I am now eager to apply my skills in a dynamic team. I bring a strong background in Python, data analysis, and problem-solving, with a commitment to delivering impactful solutions.”
Aim for 3-5 short paragraphs, using clear and direct language.
Showcase Your Experience Effectively
Your experience section should tell the story of your career in a way that highlights your value to potential employers.
How to Structure Your Experience Section
Each role should include:
- Job Title
- Company Name
- Dates of Employment
- Key Responsibilities & Achievements (Bullet Points)
Rather than just listing duties, focus on what you achieved and how it contributed to the organisation.
✅ Example:
Software Engineer | ABC Tech | 2018–2024
- Developed an AI-powered data analysis tool that improved efficiency by 20%.
- Led a team of junior developers to deliver a new cloud-based application on schedule.
Addressing Career Gaps
Gaps in employment are common, and are absolutely nothing to be ashamed of or scared to address. It’s better to acknowledge them positively rather than leaving them unexplained. Many returners list their career break as a role itself:
✅ Example:
Career Break | STEM Career Returner (Dates)
- Upskilled in Python and cloud computing through online courses.
- Volunteered as a STEM ambassador to mentor young engineers.
- Attended industry events and webinars to stay updated on trends.
This approach keeps your profile active and shows continued engagement with your field.
Highlight Your Skills and Get Endorsements
LinkedIn allows you to add up to 50 skills. Choosing the right ones is essential to ensuring your profile appears in relevant searches.
Selecting the Right Skills
- Prioritise technical skills relevant to your field (e.g., CAD, data analysis, programming languages, mechanical design).
- Include soft skills that employers value (e.g., problem-solving, leadership, project management).
- Look at job descriptions for roles you’re targeting and match your skills accordingly.
Getting Endorsements
Endorsements add credibility to your skills. Ask former colleagues, mentors, or peers to endorse you. In return, you can endorse their skills to encourage them to do the same.
✅ Tip: Your top three endorsed skills are displayed on your profile—make sure these are the ones you want to highlight.
Use the ‘Featured’ Section to Showcase Your Work
The ‘Featured’ section is one of LinkedIn’s most underused tools. It allows you to showcase projects, publications, certifications, or anything else that demonstrates your expertise.
What to Include in the Featured Section:
- Project case studies – Highlight work you’ve done with a short explanation.
- Certifications and qualifications – Upload certificates from courses or professional training.
- Presentations and publications – Share any articles, reports, or conference talks.
- Links to portfolios or GitHub repositories – Especially useful for software developers and engineers.
✅ Example: If you completed a project or qualification during your career break, upload a summary of it with a link or image of your accreditation.
Optimise for Recruiters and Hiring Managers
Many recruiters use LinkedIn’s search function to find candidates, so optimising your profile can increase your chances of being discovered.
Using Keywords
Recruiters search for candidates using specific keywords. Make sure you naturally include:
- Industry-relevant terms (e.g., “Data Science,” “Cybersecurity,” “Structural Engineering”)
- Job titles you are targeting
- Key skills and certifications
Look at job listings and take note of recurring phrases—incorporate them where relevant.
Enable ‘Open to Work’
LinkedIn has an ‘Open to Work’ feature that signals to recruiters you’re available. You can choose to make this visible only to recruiters if you prefer not to display it publicly.
Update Your Location
Many recruiters filter candidates by location. Ensure your profile reflects the correct region, especially if you are open to relocating.
✅ Tip: If you are willing to work remotely, mention this in your summary.
Final Profile Checks and Best Practices
Before you start actively networking or applying for roles, ensure your profile is complete and polished.
✅ Professional profile photo – Use a clear, friendly headshot with good lighting.
✅ Banner image – Consider using an industry-relevant image or a simple, professional background.
✅ Grammar and clarity – Double-check your profile for spelling and grammatical errors.
✅ Contact details – Ensure your email is up to date so recruiters or hiring managers can reach you.
A strong LinkedIn profile is one of the most effective tools for STEM returners. By optimising each section and clearly showcasing your skills and experience, you increase your chances of being found by the right employers.
Start small—update your headline, refine your summary, and add a few key skills. Over time, you can continue building out your profile to reflect your full expertise.
If you’re looking for structured support on your return-to-STEM journey, explore our STEM Returners programmes and take the next step in your career.
