Building Strong LinkedIn Profiles With Your Veteran Skillset

Transitioning from military service to civilian life is a major shift. For some, it includes growing a veteran-owned business. In today’s world, LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful tools for networking, brand building, and securing opportunities. No matter what branch of the veteran tree you come from, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or the Coast Guard, optimizing your LinkedIn profile can play a key role in business success. At the Maryland Veterans Chamber of Commerce, we believe in veterans supporting veterans. This guide is designed to help you build a LinkedIn presence that reflects your experience, builds trust, and attracts the right connections for your entrepreneurial journey.

Start With a Professional Profile Photo and Banner

First impressions matter. Use professional headshots with business attire, clear lighting, and a confident but approachable look. Consider a background banner that reflects your veteran-owned business, your military service, or Maryland pride. Representing your service branch in your attire or background can create extra credibility among fellow veterans and professionals.

 Craft a Headline That Tells Your Story

Instead of simply listing your job title, use your headline to describe who you are and what you do. For example: Navy Veteran | CEO of XYZ Tech Solutions | Champion for Veteran-Owned Businesses

This approach tells people instantly that you're a military veteran, you run a business, and you’re aligned with veteran affairs and support networks. Make it as easy as possible for people to find the info that will signal the community you are looking for.

Write a Summary That Connects

Your "About" section should be authentic and personal. Include details such as

• Your branch of service and years served (“Proud Air Force veteran with 10 years of service”.)

• Why you started your business or what motivates your work

• The mission of your business

• A call to action (“Let’s connect if you believe in veterans supporting veterans.”)

Highlight Veteran Owned Business Credentials

Under your “Experience” section, describe your role in your business and include language like

• Veteran-Owned Business

• Certified Veteran Business Enterprise (if applicable)

• Partnerships with Veteran Affairs or veteran-led organizations

You can also add your membership with the Maryland Veterans Chamber of Commerce as a position or volunteer role. This adds credibility and shows involvement in the veteran business community.

Showcase Your Military Experience

Don’t hide your military background, leverage it. Use clear, civilian-friendly language to describe your roles, achievements, and leadership in the service. Translate ranks and duties into skills that civilian and corporate audiences understand For example you can say "led logistics operations for 200+ personnel across three continents".

Collect Endorsements and Recommendations

Ask fellow veterans, business partners, or clients to endorse your skills and write recommendations. These testimonials build trust, especially when they come from other veteran-owned business owners or Maryland Veterans Chamber of Commerce members. If you own your own business DON’T FORGET to add testimonials to your webpage as well and a link to your LinkedIn page.

Publish and Engage with Content

Post regularly about your journey as a military veteran entrepreneur, share business updates, or highlight veterans supporting veterans in your network. Tag your posts with relevant hashtags like:

• #VeteranOwnedBusiness

• #MarylandVeteransChamber

• #VeteransSupportingVeterans

• #NavyVeteran #AirForceVeteran

Join and Participate in Veteran-Focused Groups

LinkedIn hosts several groups for veterans, including

• Veterans in Business

• Veteran Entrepreneurs

• Military Transition Network

• Local groups for Maryland business owners and chambers

Get involved, put yourself out there, make a ripple so others can find you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share insights, and build your voice in the community. This is how a community grows. Our goal here at the Maryland Veterans Chamber of Commers isn’t just to build our own community but to help you grow your community as well.

Building a strong LinkedIn profile isn’t just about getting seen, it’s about opening doors to meaningful partnerships, funding opportunities, and contracts. As a veteran, your story is powerful. Let it shine through every section of your profile. Be proud of the experiences being in the military have given you. Make those experiences benefit you. Leaving the armed forces isn’t the ending of your story, it’s simply the closing of a chapter.

The Maryland Veterans Chamber of Commerce is here to support you. Whether you're just stepping into civilian life or looking to expand your veteran-owned business, we’re proud to stand beside veterans like you. Ready to grow your network and business? Join the Maryland Veterans Chamber of Commerce today and connect with fellow veterans. Help us make a difference in Maryland’s economy.