How to Use LinkedIn to Get a Job

One of the best resources for job searching right now is LinkedIn.

I’ll outline 12 stages for using LinkedIn to find a job in this article.

If you want to find a job on LinkedIn, you must accomplish the following three things:

• Create a fantastic LinkedIn profile.
• Utilize LinkedIn as a tool for networking to land jobs and establish contacts.
• Apply to jobs directly through LinkedIn.

To increase your chances of finding work, I’ll demonstrate to you how to do everything mentioned above.

How to Use LinkedIn to Get a Job

1. Upload a great profile photo

If you want to use LinkedIn to find a job, make sure your profile photo is making the appropriate impression. Your headshot is one of the first things people notice. Pick a photo that is clear, polished, and approachable.

It doesn’t have to be formal (suit and tie), but you shouldn’t probably pick a picture of you drinking from a keg either.

To further stand out, you can post a background image to your profile. However, your headshot is more crucial because it is one of the first things recruiters and employers will notice when they open your profile.

2. Write an impressive headline

You’ll need a strong LinkedIn headline next. This is crucial if you want to utilize LinkedIn to get work because everyone will see your headline when you apply for a position, appear in search results, etc.

Don’t say that you are “actively pursuing opportunities” because that doesn’t inform companies what you do or why they should be interested. Make a headline that highlights your abilities and how you can assist them.

As an illustration, you may write, “Experienced B2B sales expert accountable for $25MM in sales from 2017 to Present.”

Alternatively, you may write, “Recent Biology graduate enthusiastic about cancer research; recipient of __ grant.”

You can see ten complete examples of LinkedIn headlines along with a detailed justification of why NOT to use the phrase “actively pursuing possibilities” here.

When you remark on an article or a friend’s post, publish your own post, etc., for example, your headline on LinkedIn is one of the few things people see BEFORE even clicking on you.

Therefore, it’s crucial if you want to stand out, provide a strong first impression, and be hired through LinkedIn.

3. Fill out all 50 skills

Make sure you’re utilizing all 50 of LinkedIn’s skill slots. This is a key component of using LinkedIn to find a job because it will make you more visible.

Recruiters frequently scan LinkedIn, and since your skills are considered keywords in your profile, they help you come up in more searches.

If a recruiter searches for “Phone Sales,” for instance, and you have selected “Phone Sales” as a skill, your profile will appear in their results.

Look at your own resume for inspiration and browse LinkedIn for coworkers and peers in your sector. What talents are listed on your coworkers’ and connections’ LinkedIn profiles? Consider using that as a model for your own profile.

4. Write your work experience in terms of results/accomplishments

Next, make sure that your earlier work is easy to read and in bullet style.

Before moving on to the bullet points, you can give a one- or two-sentence summary of each role. However, stay away from huge paragraphs and blocks of material.

These have a tendency to have quickly glanced, but you want people to read your LinkedIn profile. This is crucial, then.

Then, make sure your bullets are concentrated on specific accomplishments and results. whenever possible, include analytics, facts, and numbers.

Do not just state that you are “responsible for managing client questions and requests,” for instance.

Say something like “99% customer satisfaction rating while effectively handling 100+ customer requests every week.”

This will make your bullet points stand out far more and increase employers’ desire to interview you because you are demonstrating the precise results you can achieve for them.

The bullet points on your CV should also follow this format.

5. Get recommendations from other LinkedIn members

We’re almost done preparing your LinkedIn profile for successful job searching. The following stage is to request recommendations from one or two coworkers.

More information on how to do this, including illustrations of strong LinkedIn recommendations, is available here.

When using LinkedIn to find a job, even one or two recommendations will make your profile stand out from the crowd.

6. Show volunteer work/community involvement

Volunteerism and community involvement may not be important to every workplace, but some do! Therefore, list any accomplishments you have made on LinkedIn.
This topic is covered in detail in the “Volunteer Experience” section of LinkedIn profiles.

7. Start networking

One error that many job seekers make on LinkedIn (and throughout their whole job hunt) is to solely submit applications to online job postings without engaging in one-on-one interactions.

If you are recommended by someone they know, hiring managers are more inclined to interview you.

So using LinkedIn for networking instead of merely applying for jobs might be a major advantage for job hunters.

The fastest approach to finding a job is by networking, as this essay demonstrates (and how you can get started).

First, get in touch with your previous coworkers and let them know you’re looking for work.

Asking for a large favor right quickly, such as an introduction to a hiring manager, is not advisable, especially if you haven’t spoken to anyone recently. However, be sure to let them know you’re looking; if they don’t know, no one can assist you.

Therefore, you could begin by saying,

“Hi Bill. How have things been going for you at Microsoft? I hope you’re well! I wanted to let you know that I’ve started looking for a new position – hopefully a Senior Supervisor or Manager position in Software QA. Do you know of any interesting companies that are hiring?”

Start establishing new connections after that. If there’s somebody in their next that they think you should speak with, you could ask your current acquaintances.

Additionally, you can make new contacts at organizations where you desire to work. Begin by requesting something really little, such as:

“I see you climbed the ranks very quickly to VP of Marketing. Do you have any advice for a newer marketer who hopes to accomplish the same?”

A smart technique to start a discussion is to compliment someone on their career and ask only one question. You could check to see whether their group is hiring after a few messages. Don’t do it right away, though.

Additionally, avoid sending someone a CV or cover letter in the initial message. This will not succeed. I frequently encounter this, and it is quite off-putting. It’s intrusive and presumptuous. You’ll do much better if you just start having regular conversations.

8. Take advantage of LinkedIn Easy Apply

Through LinkedIn’s Easy Apply tool, you may also submit a straight job application. Look for job titles or keywords, specify your region and other search criteria (LinkedIn has some great search criteria), and then begin applying.

If a position has an “Easy Apply” option, you can quickly enter your information and attach your resume without ever leaving LinkedIn.

This is the best option because it saves you so much time and eliminates the requirement for a cover letter. (Nobody really talks about this, but you really don’t need to spend time/effort on a cover letter if you’re just applying online, don’t know the hiring manager, and weren’t referred for the position.)

Additionally, you can click through the firm’s website to apply if a position doesn’t provide “Easy Apply.”

9. Comment, post, and engage

Your chances of being noticed by recruiters, possible new colleagues who might be able to recommend you to their organization for a job, etc., increase the more active you are.

Following a few well-known influencers and leaving comments on their posts, such as Gary Vee or Bill Gates, is an excellent approach to getting noticed. My comments on “major” influencers’ posts typically receive 10 likes. A typical comment of mine would receive 0–2 likes.

Then you can go connect with those folks who appreciated your comment. By doing this, you’ll develop an increasing number of connections.

One connection may be able to introduce you to a hiring manager or secure you an interview at any time. Therefore, if you want to use LinkedIn to get a job, you must simply maintain engagement and expand your network.

You can publish your own stuff as long as it is uplifting and appropriate. You can upload past work samples, case studies, publications you find interesting, queries, and more.

Being more active will increase your visibility and increase your chance of receiving interview invitations.

10. Leverage LinkedIn groups

Through LinkedIn groups, you may get assistance with your job hunt, grow your professional network, and learn useful information from other job seekers.

You can share information about how you’ve enhanced your LinkedIn accounts, resume/CV, and interview technique in communities dedicated to job seekers.

To learn about fresh career prospects in your profession, you can also join clubs that are pertinent to your industry.

Join some software development and tech sector associations, for instance, if becoming a software engineer at a leading tech company is your ideal career path.

View the discussions and sharing that other LinkedIn users are having.

You never know if the information will assist you in finding a new career (either immediately, or by helping you form long-term connections with people on LinkedIn).

Additionally, finding relevant groups on LinkedIn and joining a couple of them simply takes a few seconds.

Find groups by searching for pertinent terms, such as “job search,” “customer support,” and “Silicon Valley startups,” as well as business-related phrases.

11. Use LinkedIn job alerts

If you’re not online, LinkedIn may still alert you when new opportunities are posted. The easiest approach to learning about new openings posted by companies that interest you is through this channel.

You will receive job alerts for the positions you are interested in.

How to be notified when relevant employers publish a new position is covered in greater detail in this article from LinkedIn.

This is preferable to checking daily to see if a company has listed any new job opportunities. You’ll also learn about jobs from fresh businesses that you were not even aware of.

Therefore, after finishing your LinkedIn profile, always take the time to set up job notifications. It’s a quick move that might lead to your getting your next job.

12. Include your LinkedIn profile URL within your resume

Last but not least, include a link to your LinkedIn profile in the resume’s header (right after your phone number and email address).

Employers will see that you are up-to-date and modern by clicking over to your LinkedIn profile to view all the fantastic content you have posted.

By doing this, you increase the likelihood that you will be asked to interview and decrease the possibility that they will only skim your resume before moving on. Employers initially just give your resume 8 to 10 seconds of attention. They then select if they want to continue reading or not. Therefore, adding a link at the top can help you stand out and keep readers interested.

Create a custom LinkedIn profile URL too, so your link is short and professional-looking.

Conclusion: How to Use LinkedIn to Get a Job

You are aware of how to use LinkedIn to get a job quickly if you have read the instructions above.

Maintain a current profile page and use it to apply for jobs, but don’t forget to reach out to others and form new connections as well.

Additionally, sign up for pertinent groups, follow relevant businesses, etc.

If you follow these instructions, you’ll locate jobs more quickly and receive more offers.

Go ahead and post a fantastic profile picture as a first step to help to hire managers and recruiters who recognize and believe you.