Day 20: How to Use LinkedIn Job Search - A Guide to Maximizing LinkedIn’s Job Search Tools
Visvanathan Sambasivam
?? Mentor, Teacher, Coach ???? Founder, Growth Catalysts Hub ?? Lifelong Learner ??Executive Director, CPG, Retail & Shopper, NielsenIQ ?? 28+ yrs of Consumer Insights & Market Research
LinkedIn has evolved into one of the most powerful job search platforms available today. With its robust set of tools, you can not only search for job postings but also connect with recruiters, apply for positions directly, and showcase your skills to stand out from the competition. However, maximizing LinkedIn’s job search tools requires a clear strategy and effort.
1. Optimize Your Profile for Recruiters
Before diving into the job search, ensure your profile is optimized for recruiters. This means using the right keywords in your headline, experience, and skills sections so that you appear in relevant searches. Recruiters use LinkedIn’s search functionality to find candidates, so making sure your profile is complete and keyword-optimized is essential.
Example:
Nikhil, a product manager, updated his profile to include specific keywords related to product management, such as “Agile methodologies,” “roadmap development,” and “cross-functional team leadership.” This led to more recruiters reaching out to him with relevant job opportunities.
Action Tip:
Review job descriptions for the roles you’re interested in and identify common keywords. Incorporate those keywords naturally into your profile, particularly in your headline, summary, and skills sections.
2. Set Up Job Alerts
LinkedIn allows you to set up job alerts for specific roles, locations, or companies. This saves you time and ensures that you don’t miss out on new job postings. Once you set up alerts, LinkedIn will notify you whenever a new job matches your criteria.
Example:
Priya, a graphic designer, set up job alerts for roles at top creative agencies in her area. Every day, she received notifications about new opportunities, which helped her apply promptly to fresh listings.
Action Tip:
Set up job alerts by searching for a role or company on LinkedIn, then toggle the “job alert” button. You can customize these alerts based on criteria such as location, job function, or industry.
3. Use the “Easy Apply” Feature
LinkedIn’s “Easy Apply” feature allows you to apply for jobs with just a few clicks. You can submit your LinkedIn profile directly without having to upload a resume or fill out lengthy application forms. This feature is particularly useful for quickly applying to multiple roles.
Example:
Raj, a data analyst, used the “Easy Apply” feature to apply for 10 jobs in a single afternoon. By streamlining the application process, he was able to increase the number of opportunities he applied for in less time.
Action Tip:
Look for job postings that have the “Easy Apply” button. Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date, as it will be sent to employers directly when you apply using this feature.
Caveat : while it is very easy to “apply” for many different jobs using this feature, there is one issue here : only one profile of yours gets shared with every single recruiter. That can be a massive challenge since different recruiters might be looking for different set of skills and experiences. So, it is important to tailor your resume / tailor the information the recruiter gets about you - which is NOT possible in this case. So, use this feature with extreme caution. If in doubt, please DO NOT USE and instead, apply in the old fashioned manner - one by one.
4. Connect with Recruiters
LinkedIn offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with recruiters. Many recruiters actively post job opportunities on LinkedIn, and connecting with them can increase your chances of being considered for a role. You can also follow recruiters to stay updated on new job openings.
Example:
Sonal, a marketing strategist, reached out to a recruiter who had posted about a job opening at her dream company. She sent a personalized message expressing her interest and attached her resume. The recruiter responded, and Sonal was able to secure an interview.
Action Tip:
Identify recruiters who specialize in your industry or target companies. Send a personalized message expressing your interest in connecting and, if appropriate, inquire about any open roles.
5. Engage with Job-Related Content
Engaging with content related to your industry or career goals can increase your visibility to recruiters and hiring managers. Comment on posts related to job openings, share insights, and interact with professionals in your target field. This not only helps you stay informed but also makes your profile more active and attractive to potential employers.
Example:
Manisha, a digital marketing expert, frequently commented on job-related posts shared by companies she admired. Her thoughtful comments got noticed by hiring managers, leading to an invitation for an interview.
Action Tip:
Find posts or discussions about job openings in your field and actively engage. Share your thoughts or ask insightful questions to show your interest and expertise. This could get you noticed by recruiters or hiring managers actively seeking talent.
6. Follow Companies You Want to Work For
Following companies on LinkedIn allows you to stay up-to-date with their latest job openings, news, and updates. It also shows recruiters and hiring managers from those companies that you’re genuinely interested in working with them. Many companies post job opportunities directly on their LinkedIn pages, and by following them, you can be among the first to know.
Example:
Ayesha, an aspiring software engineer, followed a handful of tech startups that she admired. By regularly engaging with their posts and staying informed on their latest developments, she was able to apply for a job the moment a role opened up. Her proactive approach paid off when she was invited to interview.
Action Tip:
Make a list of companies where you’d love to work and follow them on LinkedIn. Engage with their posts and updates regularly, and be ready to apply when job openings are announced.
8. Use LinkedIn Premium to Unlock Additional Job Search Features
While LinkedIn is free to use, its premium version offers additional features that can be highly valuable during a job search. LinkedIn Premium gives you access to insights such as who’s viewed your profile, how you compare to other applicants, and InMail credits to message recruiters directly, even if you’re not connected.
Example:
Kabir subscribed to LinkedIn Premium during his job search, which allowed him to see who had viewed his profile and reach out to recruiters directly. He found that Premium’s ability to message recruiters outside of his network made a significant difference in landing more interviews.
Action Tip:
Consider investing in LinkedIn Premium if you’re actively job searching. Use the added features like InMail to reach out to recruiters and job insights to gauge how you stand against other applicants.
9. Customize Your Job Preferences and Make Yourself Open to Work
LinkedIn allows you to customize your job preferences and signal to recruiters that you’re open to new opportunities. By turning on the “Open to Work” feature, you can indicate the type of roles you’re looking for, as well as preferred locations and industries. This increases your visibility to recruiters actively looking for candidates in your area of expertise.
Example:
Anita, a UX designer, updated her LinkedIn profile to reflect that she was open to work. She customized her job preferences to include remote roles and positions in the tech industry. Within a week, she started receiving messages from recruiters who were hiring for roles that matched her preferences.
Action Tip:
Turn on the “Open to Work” feature and customize your job preferences to ensure that recruiters know exactly what roles and locations you’re interested in. This can help you get approached for jobs that fit your criteria.
10. Stay Active and Consistent in Your Job Search
Like any platform, LinkedIn rewards activity and consistency. Regularly updating your profile, engaging with content, and applying for jobs can help keep you visible to recruiters and hiring managers. While it’s tempting to apply for multiple jobs in one sitting and then wait for responses, staying consistently active on LinkedIn will yield better results over time.
Example:
Suresh made a habit of logging into LinkedIn daily during his job search. He engaged with posts, updated his profile, and applied for new roles consistently. This regular activity led to a steady stream of profile views from recruiters and ultimately helped him secure a job.
Action Tip:
Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to log into LinkedIn, engage with posts, review new job listings, and apply for relevant roles. Staying active keeps you on recruiters’ radar.
Conclusion: Maximizing LinkedIn’s Job Search Tools
LinkedIn is an incredibly versatile platform that offers a range of tools to help job seekers land their dream roles. From optimizing your profile for recruiters to using advanced search tools like salary insights and job alerts, there’s a lot you can do to stand out. The key to success is using these tools consistently and strategically.
Actionable Summary:
By following these tips and leveraging LinkedIn’s robust job search features, you can significantly increase your chances of landing a great job.
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About the Author: Visvanathan Sambasivam
I am a corporate professional, having worked as a Marketing / Consumer Insights professional in various Indian and Global MNCs for the last 30 years, with a passion for mentoring, teaching, and coaching; with a vision of helping 1 million people in their personal and professional growth.
I write regularly on LinkedIn & Facebook and have mentored many people in their professional journey.