LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 850 million members worldwide. As a recruiting and job seeking tool, LinkedIn provides users the ability to display their work histories, skills, and endorsements for others to view. With so many active users, LinkedIn has become a go-to source for recruiters looking to find qualified candidates.
One common question that comes up is: can LinkedIn recruiters see your phone number? The short answer is: no, not usually. LinkedIn has settings that allow users to control what information is visible to others on their profile. Phone numbers are not viewable to the general public or to recruiters without your explicit permission. Here’s a more in-depth look at LinkedIn’s privacy settings and when recruiters may be able to view your phone number.
LinkedIn’s Privacy Settings
LinkedIn allows users to customize what information is visible on their profile under the Privacy & Settings options. There are three main privacy levels:
Public
Your profile is viewable to everyone on LinkedIn. However, sensitive information like phone numbers, birthdays, and addresses will not be displayed even with a public profile.
Visible to connections only
Your profile will only be viewable to 1st-degree connections on LinkedIn. 2nd and 3rd-degree connections as well as the general public will not be able to view the profile.
Visible only to you
The most private setting – your profile will only be viewable by you when logged into your account. No other LinkedIn members will have access to your profile.
By default, phone numbers are categorized under “private information” that is not made public on member profiles. Your phone number will remain hidden from external viewers regardless of your overall privacy setting.
When Recruiters May See Your Phone Number
There are a few scenarios in which a recruiter may have visibility to your phone number on LinkedIn:
You are Connected
If you are directly connected to a recruiter, you have the option to display certain contact information like phone, email, Twitter handle, etc. Having a phone number visible is not the default setting, but users can manually update it to be displayed on their profile. If you specifically list your phone number as visible to your connections, any 1st-degree recruiter connections would have access to view it.
You Applied to a Position
When formally applying for a job through LinkedIn, users have the option to include additional contact details like phone number for the application itself. This information goes directly to the recruiter or hiring manager for that specific job posting. Your phone number remains hidden from your general profile, and is only shared with parties related to the job application.
You Allowed Visibility for InMail
LinkedIn’s recruiting platform allows recruiters to directly contact users through InMail messages. By default, the InMail feature only allows senders to view your LinkedIn profile. However, users can optionally permit senders to also view their phone number and email address if they wish to be contacted outside of LinkedIn. If enabled, any recruiter messaging you via InMail would also have access to your phone contact information.
You Contacted the Recruiter First
If you proactively reach out to a recruiter through LinkedIn messaging, they may request your phone number directly as part of the conversation. This would allow both parties to coordinate offline via phone. But the choice to share phone contact information remains at your discretion.
How to Hide or Display Phone Number
As outlined above, LinkedIn does not expose your phone number to public view or to recruiters without your consent. Here are quick steps to manage phone number visibility:
Hide Phone Number
1. Go to your LinkedIn profile
2. Click “View profile”
3. Select “Edit public profile & URL”
4. Go to the “Contact Info” section
5. Uncheck the box next to “Show phone number”
6. Click “Save”
This will prevent your phone number from being displayed anywhere on your profile.
Display Phone Number to Connections
1. Follow steps 1-4 above
2. In “Contact Info” section, check “Show phone number”
3. For the dropdown “Who can see this?” select “Your Connections”
4. Click “Save”
This allows 1st-degree connections to view your phone number when visiting your profile.
Display Phone Number to All Linked Users
1. Follow steps 1-4 above
2. In “Contact Info” section, check “Show phone number”
3. For the dropdown “Who can see this?” select “Everyone”
4. Click “Save”
This makes your phone number publicly visible to all LinkedIn members (not recommended).
Proactively Contacting Recruiters
While LinkedIn offers excellent tools for discovery, you shouldn’t rely on recruiters finding you. Here are some proactive ways to put yourself on a recruiter’s radar:
Update your LinkedIn profile
Make sure your profile is fleshed out with all relevant work experience, skills, accomplishments, certifications, and education. Recruiters are more likely to engage with robust profiles.
Build your connections
Expand your network with as many quality connections as possible, especially those at companies you want to work for.
Follow company pages
Follow pages of companies you’re interested in to stay updated on new positions and policies.
Join industry or alumni groups
Engage in niche groups focused on your particular roles, skills, interests, university, etc. Position yourself as an expert by sharing advice.
Connect directly with recruiters
Proactively reach out to recruiters at organizations you want to work for. Send them a customized connection request highlighting your fit for potential openings.
Sample outreach message:
Hello [Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I am very interested in opportunities at [Company] as a [role]. I have [X years] of experience specifically in [key skill area] and [other credentials].
I would love to connect and discuss any potential openings at your company. Please feel free to contact me at the phone number listed on my profile, or via LinkedIn messenger.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Should You Display Your Phone Number?
Deciding whether or not to display your phone number on your LinkedIn profile is a personal choice. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Makes it easier for recruiters and connections to contact you outside of LinkedIn messaging
- Displays confidence and willingness to be reached directly
- Provides an additional channel for quick communication
Cons
- Increases unsolicited outreach like sales calls
- Overexposes your contact information
- Phone calls can be disruptive if you prefer asynchronous communication via email
Generally, it’s recommended to keep your phone number private until needed. You can always provide it to serious recruiters and connections on request.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn does not display your phone number publicly or to recruiters by default. You have full control through your profile settings to show or hide your number as desired. Most LinkedIn members keep their phone information private to avoid spam contact. However, you may choose to reveal your number to trusted connections and recruiters you want to engage with more readily. If actively job searching, enabling phone visibility can improve direct communication with relevant hirers. But be cautious of overexposing your contact data when unnecessary.