How to stand out on LinkedIn as a legal contractor

In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has become an essential tool for legal contractors to showcase their expertise, connect with recruiters, potential clients and employers – and build their professional brand. Standing out on LinkedIn requires a strategic approach to profile optimisation, content sharing and networking. If you’re looking for an interim legal role, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to make your LinkedIn profile shine and attract the right opportunities.

The essentials

• Clearly list end dates for each assignment to highlight your experience with temporary roles and availability
• Activate the “Open to Work” feature on LinkedIn to signal availability to recruiters
• Clearly indicate which roles were contract or project-based to highlight your contracting experience, ensuring it’s evident that you’re not simply jumping from one permanent role to another

Craft a compelling headline

Your LinkedIn headline is one of the first things people see, so make it count. Instead of just stating your job title, use the headline to highlight your unique value proposition.

Example: “Experienced Legal Contractor/Consultant | Focusing on helping businesses raise, acquire and exit within the asset management industry”.

Write a Powerful Summary

Your summary is your elevator pitch. It should succinctly convey who you are, what you do, and how you can add value. Use this section to highlight your key skills, experiences and achievements. Make sure to include relevant keywords to improve search visibility.

Example: “I am an experienced legal contractor with over 10 years of experience in corporate law, compliance and intellectual property. I have successfully supported start-ups, SMEs and large corporations in navigating complex legal landscapes. My expertise includes drafting and negotiating contracts, regulatory compliance and IP management. Passionate about continuous learning, I stay updated with the latest legal trends to provide top-notch service to my clients.”

Highlight Your Experience

Detail your work experience, focusing on your roles and achievements as a legal contractor. Use bullet points to make this information easily digestible. Be specific about the projects you’ve worked on and the impact you’ve had. Also include the names of the businesses you have worked with.

Example: Senior Legal Consultant | Jan 2018 – Present

• Advised a Fortune 500 company on compliance issues, reducing regulatory risks by 30%
• Drafted and negotiated over high value and complex commercial contracts, including SAAS, outsourcing, IT & supply and procurement agreements
• Oversaw EMEA Executive Committees, handling agenda planning, deliverables, meeting minutes, terms of reference and various company secretarial duties for the board and its committees

Showcase Your Skills

LinkedIn allows you to list up to 50 skills on your profile. Make sure to include both general and specialised legal skills. Endorsements from colleagues and employers or clients can boost your credibility.

Example Skills:

• Contract Negotiation
• Corporate Law
• Compliance Management
• Intellectual Property
• Legal Research
• Regulatory Compliance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Gather Recommendations

Recommendations from clients, colleagues, and supervisors serve as powerful testimonials. Request recommendations from those who can vouch for your expertise and professionalism.

Example: “Mary’s legal acumen and attention to detail were invaluable throughout the project. Her strategic advice and negotiation skills ensured a smooth and successful transaction.” – Jane Doe, CEO of XYZ Corp.

Taking it to the next level

Share thought leadership content

Position yourself as a thought leader by regularly sharing relevant content. This can include articles, blog posts and updates on recent legal developments. Engaging with content related to your field also helps keep your profile active and visible.

Example Post: “Just attended the Lawyers in Tech conference in London. It was great to network with peers in the market and I’m excited about the innovative solutions and advancements that legal teams are adopting. #LegalTech #networkingevent

Join and participate in groups

LinkedIn groups related to legal practice and contracting are great places to network, share knowledge and stay updated with industry trends. Actively participating in discussions can increase your visibility.

Example Groups:

• Legal Network
• Corporate Counsel Forum
• Legal Tech Innovators

Optimise your profile picture and banner

A professional profile picture and a custom banner that reflects your brand can make a strong first impression. Choose a high-quality headshot and a banner that visually represents your expertise.

Example:

• Profile Picture: Make it friendly and approachable – and smile!
• Use a neutral or simple background to keep the focus on you. Avoid busy or distracting backgrounds
• Make sure the photo is recent and accurately represents how you currently look
• Banner: Use images that reflect your field of work.

Include certifications and courses

Showcase any certifications or courses you’ve completed to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Example:

• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US)
• CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing.

Engage with your network

Regularly engage with your network by commenting on posts, congratulating connections on their achievements and participating in discussions. Building relationships and staying active can lead to new opportunities.

Example: “Congratulations on your new role, @Sarah! Wishing you all the best in your endeavours.

Incorporating and adopting some of these tips with your LinkedIn profile will enhance your visibility to specialist interim recruiters and internal talent teams. This increased visibility can lead to more opportunities being presented to you, effectively making your LinkedIn profile work for you and simplifying your job search.

Next chapter: Questions to ask at interview

Previous chapter: Understanding payment models