Written by Sally Rae
17 Jan 2023
LinkedIn Job Search: Tips & Tricks For 2023
As recruiters, we're no strangers to LinkedIn. In fact, a massive 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates, according to Jobvite.
But LinkedIn doesn't just help recruiters; it's a really helpful platform for job seekers too. The Pew Research Center has found that LinkedIn is the most popular social media platform for job seekers, with roughly 35% of adults using it to find a job.
In this blog, we're sharing some of our secrets to conducting an effective LinkedIn job search. Read on for the best ways to find a job on LinkedIn in 2023.
i) Use a professional profile picture
No selfies or snaps from your latest night out - LinkedIn is a professional platform, so you should present yourself professionally.
Opt for an uncluttered background, either at home or outside and make sure the clothes you're wearing are suitable for the sort of job you'd like to secure.
That said, it's still possible to show some personality with your profile picture. Don't be afraid to smile, strike a confident pose, or wear clothes that you feel most 'you' in. It's all about striking the right balance between presenting as your authentic self and being professional.
ii) Write a better headline and summary
Your LinkedIn headline is a quick snapshot of who you are and what you're looking for. It needs to be 120 characters or shorter, so stick to the most important points.
Your headline should make it really easy for your network to understand which industry you work in, your experience, your job title, your desired new role and your primary skills.
You can go into more detail in your summary - but understand that you don't have much time to retain a reader's attention. So, try to keep your summary to four sentences or fewer, expanding upon the information you detailed in your headline.
iii) Show off your skills and experience
Make the most of your profile by going into more detail about your work experience. In the Experience section, describe your past roles in detail, explaining your key achievements.
Don't be shy when discussing any awards, certifications or qualifications you've earned during your career. You should detail these in the Honors & Awards and Licenses and Certifications sections, respectively.
Using LinkedIn as a networking tool can give you access to a wealth of opportunities, so it's well worth learning how to do it effectively.
i) Connect with people you know
While it's tempting to send connection results to anyone you think might be relevant to your network, it's best to start off with the people you already know.
Connect with friends, colleagues, former classmates and people you have met through work, who are more likely to accept connection requests.
Once you have built up a small network, you can then begin to expand.
ii) Join groups
Professional groups are a great way to network with people who share the same interests and who work in the same industry as you do.
You can post your opinions, helpful resources and questions to the group, helping to establish yourself as a key contributor.
This will help you to build your personal brand, giving you more credibility and name recognition when it's time to apply for a role.
iii) Send personal messages
Connecting with people you don't know is OK to do on LinkedIn, as long as you have a good reason.
People are more likely to accept your connection requests if you send a personal message with your invite, detailing your reason for connecting.
For example, you might explain that you were inspired by a recent post of theirs and that you'd like to learn more about their opinion on a given topic.
Or, you might explain that you're looking for a role within their industry, and that you're hoping to expand your network.
Don't ask for favours out of the blue, such as a request to look over your CV, or to advise you on your chosen career path. Instead, develop an established connection with the person before asking for their support.
iv) Participate in conversations
Commenting with your thoughts on a person's post, resharing content that you find helpful, or writing your own posts about events within your industry will help you to expand your network.
People are keen to discuss with others who can show valuable insight - so go out there and give yours!
Simply click the 'Jobs' tab at the top of the page (or the bottom of the page if you are using mobile) and you will see a list of recommended live roles based on your skills and experience.
You can also search for specific roles using keywords and use filters to specify location, industry, job type and more.
You can apply directly for roles on LinkedIn, but it's still worth tailoring your CV and cover letter to the position.
Research the company and any recent news. Start by taking a look at their LinkedIn page, where companies often share important updates. This will help you to get a feel for the company and to tailor your application accordingly.
But LinkedIn doesn't just help recruiters; it's a really helpful platform for job seekers too. The Pew Research Center has found that LinkedIn is the most popular social media platform for job seekers, with roughly 35% of adults using it to find a job.
In this blog, we're sharing some of our secrets to conducting an effective LinkedIn job search. Read on for the best ways to find a job on LinkedIn in 2023.
LinkedIn Job Search | Tip #1: Build a strong profile
If you're not finding success on LinkedIn, your profile might be to blame. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve it.i) Use a professional profile picture
No selfies or snaps from your latest night out - LinkedIn is a professional platform, so you should present yourself professionally.
Opt for an uncluttered background, either at home or outside and make sure the clothes you're wearing are suitable for the sort of job you'd like to secure.
That said, it's still possible to show some personality with your profile picture. Don't be afraid to smile, strike a confident pose, or wear clothes that you feel most 'you' in. It's all about striking the right balance between presenting as your authentic self and being professional.
ii) Write a better headline and summary
Your LinkedIn headline is a quick snapshot of who you are and what you're looking for. It needs to be 120 characters or shorter, so stick to the most important points.
Your headline should make it really easy for your network to understand which industry you work in, your experience, your job title, your desired new role and your primary skills.
You can go into more detail in your summary - but understand that you don't have much time to retain a reader's attention. So, try to keep your summary to four sentences or fewer, expanding upon the information you detailed in your headline.
iii) Show off your skills and experience
Make the most of your profile by going into more detail about your work experience. In the Experience section, describe your past roles in detail, explaining your key achievements.
Don't be shy when discussing any awards, certifications or qualifications you've earned during your career. You should detail these in the Honors & Awards and Licenses and Certifications sections, respectively.
LinkedIn Job Search | Tip #2: Network on LinkedIn
Today, LinkedIn is a near-essential tool for networking. It helps you connect with industry peers and prospective employers both locally and nationally, or even internationally.Using LinkedIn as a networking tool can give you access to a wealth of opportunities, so it's well worth learning how to do it effectively.
i) Connect with people you know
While it's tempting to send connection results to anyone you think might be relevant to your network, it's best to start off with the people you already know.
Connect with friends, colleagues, former classmates and people you have met through work, who are more likely to accept connection requests.
Once you have built up a small network, you can then begin to expand.
ii) Join groups
Professional groups are a great way to network with people who share the same interests and who work in the same industry as you do.
You can post your opinions, helpful resources and questions to the group, helping to establish yourself as a key contributor.
This will help you to build your personal brand, giving you more credibility and name recognition when it's time to apply for a role.
iii) Send personal messages
Connecting with people you don't know is OK to do on LinkedIn, as long as you have a good reason.
People are more likely to accept your connection requests if you send a personal message with your invite, detailing your reason for connecting.
For example, you might explain that you were inspired by a recent post of theirs and that you'd like to learn more about their opinion on a given topic.
Or, you might explain that you're looking for a role within their industry, and that you're hoping to expand your network.
Don't ask for favours out of the blue, such as a request to look over your CV, or to advise you on your chosen career path. Instead, develop an established connection with the person before asking for their support.
iv) Participate in conversations
Commenting with your thoughts on a person's post, resharing content that you find helpful, or writing your own posts about events within your industry will help you to expand your network.
People are keen to discuss with others who can show valuable insight - so go out there and give yours!
LinkedIn Job Search | Tip #3: Use LinkedIn's job search function
Did you know that you can search for active vacancies directly on LinkedIn?Simply click the 'Jobs' tab at the top of the page (or the bottom of the page if you are using mobile) and you will see a list of recommended live roles based on your skills and experience.
You can also search for specific roles using keywords and use filters to specify location, industry, job type and more.
You can apply directly for roles on LinkedIn, but it's still worth tailoring your CV and cover letter to the position.
Research the company and any recent news. Start by taking a look at their LinkedIn page, where companies often share important updates. This will help you to get a feel for the company and to tailor your application accordingly.
