Your LinkedIn Needs a Pulse Check: How to Signal Passion (Without Sounding Desperate)
- Hillary HuffordTucker
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
How up-to-date is your LinkedIn profile? Does it reflect the energy and focus you bring to your work today, or does it feel like a leftover snapshot from a different phase?
After burnout or a career shift, it’s easy for your online presence to idle. The good news is that refreshing your profile doesn’t mean starting from scratch. It begins with a simple check-in. What still feels true? What feels stale or out of step?
Reviving your digital brand is more about clarity than reinvention. You’re not aiming for perfection, just authenticity. The goal is a profile that sounds like you on a strong day: clear, confident, and aligned with where you are now and where you’re headed next.
Run an “Energy Audit” on Your LinkedIn
Scroll through your profile as if you were a hiring manager, recruiter, customer, or associate – whoever you consider your target audience- and identify the leaks and areas of power. In other words, consider where you feel nothing or where you’re showing your unique value.
Read aloud: Does your headline sound like someone still excited about their field?
Review old posts: Are they filled with generic advice or templated inspiration?
Scan your “About” section: Does it reflect how you’ve grown, or how you once hoped to sound?
Reality check: If it feels heavy, it probably reads that way too. Rewrite from a place of curiosity, not compliance.
Rewrite Your Headline and About Section for Passion
Precision beats cleverness every time. Your profile isn’t about buzzwords or the perfect titles; it’s about the energy and value you bring to a project or employer.
Headline: Combine what you do with what drives you. Example: “Marketing Strategist helping mission-driven brands grow with heart and data.”
About: Speak from the present tense. Drop the “seasoned professional” tone and share what you’re genuinely exploring, building, or reimagining right now.
Sprinkle in momentum: Phrases like “I’m excited about,” “I’m currently exploring,” or “What I’ve learned lately” signal movement and authenticity.
Post with Curiosity, Not Credentials
Share what sparks your passion and how that impacts your work. LinkedIn isn’t just a place to list completed tasks; it's a space to show how you’ve made a difference and the value you’ll add going forward.
Try content that shows thoughtfulness and human insight:
Share a micro-story about a small win or lesson. “I learned this week that asking better questions changes everything.”
Celebrate someone else’s growth or generosity.
Pose a question that invites conversation instead of applause.
The bottom line: Authenticity lands when your posts sound like how you actually talk.
Reconnect Through Sparks, Not Asks
Networking should never be transactional. People feel your energy before they read your words, so instead of messaging dormant contacts with, “Hope you’re well, can we chat about roles?”, try:
“I came across something that reminded me of our old project.”
“I just read your post about [topic], and I loved your take.”
“Your recent work caught my eye. How’s that experience been?”
It’s not a transaction: These small sparks rebuild warmth and trust. The right opportunities follow naturally.
Your Pulse, Reignited
A living, breathing LinkedIn presence doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from presence and persistence. When your energy shows up first, people notice. You don’t have to prove passion; you just have to let it show.
If you’re ready to refresh your LinkedIn so it feels more authentic and less like a resume from a past life, please reach out. I can help you craft a compelling professional story that will reignite your presence.
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I’m Hillary Hufford-Tucker, founder of Relevated Brands. Since 2019, I’ve helped professionals build relevance and elevate their visibility with standout resumes, optimized LinkedIn profiles, and personal brand strategies tailored to their goals. I’m certified in career coaching, transitions, reinvention, and digital strategy, and I hold an MA in strategic communications, as well as a Level Two Award in Wine from WSET (because I believe in well-rounded credentials). I split my time between Illinois and California, and when I’m not working with clients, I’m usually cycling, traveling, writing, or enjoying a great Syrah—sometimes all at once.