LinkedIn has become one of the most popular platforms for professionals to network and search for job opportunities. With over 722 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is the largest professional social media site. This has led many employees to wonder – can my employer see if I apply for jobs on LinkedIn?
The Short Answer
The short answer is: it depends. There are a few factors that determine whether your employer can see your job application activity on LinkedIn:
- Your privacy settings
- Your connections with co-workers
- The subscription level of your employer
By managing your privacy settings, being selective with connections, and understanding what level of access your employer has, you can better control your job search visibility on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn’s Privacy Settings
LinkedIn has privacy settings that allow members to control what activity is visible to their connections and network. This includes settings for job applications.
There are two key settings to manage:
Apply with Profile Privacy
This setting controls whether your connections can see which jobs you’ve applied to. The options are:
- Your connections only – Only your 1st-degree connections see your job application activity. This is the most private setting.
- Your network only – 1st and 2nd-degree connections can see your applications. This exposes your activity to more people.
- Public – Everyone, including your employer, can see the jobs you’ve applied to. This is the least private setting.
Profile Viewing Options
This controls what others see when they view your profile. The key option here is:
- Your job applications – Turning this off prevents others from seeing the jobs you’ve applied to on your profile.
By keeping these settings private, you can prevent your employer and broader network from seeing your job application activity. The default setting is “Your Connections Only”, which gives you some privacy.
Connections with Coworkers
Even with the right privacy settings, your employer may still see your job applications if you are connected to coworkers on LinkedIn.
If your coworkers can view your activity, they could expose your job search to your employer by:
- Telling your employer directly
- Mentioning it to other coworkers who then tell your employer
- Capturing screenshots of your activity and sending it to your employer
This can happen intentionally if a coworker wants to sabotage your job search, or unintentionally through office gossip. The only way to prevent it is by being selective with your LinkedIn connections.
Don’t connect with any coworkers who may share your activity with your employer. Be extra cautious about connecting with your direct managers and executives at your company.
Your Employer’s LinkedIn Subscription
The level of LinkedIn subscription your employer has can also impact their visibility into your activity and profile:
Subscription Level | Ability to See Your Activity |
---|---|
Free | Can only see activity of their 1st-degree connections |
Premium Business | Can see full profiles and activity of 2nd-degree connections |
Recruiter Lite or Corporate | Full visibility into activity of all members, even 3rd+ degree connections |
If your employer has a Recruiter or Talent Solutions level account, they may be able to see your job activity even without a direct connection.
The only way to prevent this is to fully privatize your activity through your account settings. Also be selective in connecting with any coworkers.
How to Keep Your Job Search Private on LinkedIn
Here are 5 best practices to keep your job applications private on LinkedIn:
- Set your job application visibility to “Only Me” or “Your Connections Only” in your privacy settings.
- Disable the option for others to see your job applications on your profile.
- Be extremely selective when connecting with coworkers on LinkedIn.
- If connected to coworkers, remove them before starting your search.
- Turn off notifications of your LinkedIn activity through email or phone settings.
Following these tips will minimize your employer’s visibility into your job search on LinkedIn. However, it’s impossible to completely prevent coworkers or recruiters from seeing your activity.
Using LinkedIn’s “Secret” Job Search Mode
LinkedIn offers another option called “Secret Recruiter Mode” that may hide your activity even further. To enable:
- Go to the Jobs page and select the jobs dropdown menu.
- Choose “Secret Recruiter Mode”.
This makes your profile anonymous when applying for jobs. Employers will only see limited details – your industry, experience level, and skills. However, any connections you have at the company could still identify you based on those details.
The Risks of a Hidden Job Search
While it’s tempting to use stealth methods to find a new job, there are also risks to consider:
- It may damage relationships or trust with your employer if discovered.
- You may burn professional bridges by hiding your search from coworkers.
- Switching jobs without transparency could harm your reputation in your field.
Ultimately you have to evaluate the culture and politics at your current company. In some cases, transparency about looking for new opportunities is better received than secrecy.
Other Ways Employers Can See Your Job Search Activity
In addition to LinkedIn, employers have other ways to monitor or discover your job search activity:
Browsing History on Work Devices
If you browse job sites or apply for jobs on a work computer or phone, your employer can view that web history. Always use a personal device for job searches.
Email or Resume Files on Company Systems
Any resumes or job application details saved on company drives or email systems can also be visible to your employer.
HR Databases and Recruiter Networks
When you apply for a job, recruiters or HR often keep your information on file even if you’re not hired. Your employer may have connections into those networks and discover your activity.
Job Application Questions
During interviews, employers will often ask how you heard about the role or inquire about your current employment status. They can learn about your active search this way.
References
Your provided references may inform your employer if they get called for a job you’ve applied to.
Public Profiles on Job Sites
If you have a public resume or profile on a job site, it can expose your openness to new opportunities.
So while you can use privacy settings on LinkedIn, be aware employers have other avenues to monitor your activity as well.
Talking to Your Employer About Your Job Search
Rather than hide your job search, you may want to consider being open with your manager about looking for new opportunities. Some tips:
- Explain why you are looking, such as seeking new challenges or skills.
- Assure them you will remain committed to your current role in the meantime.
- Say you hoped to find a suitable new opening within the company first.
- Offer to help transition your responsibilities when you leave.
This transparency can preserve your relationships and reputation. Just be careful not to overshare details on specific job opportunities you’re excited about elsewhere.
Signs Your Employer Knows You’re Looking
Here are some subtle and not-so-subtle clues that your employer may be aware you’re job searching:
- Your manager makes pointed suggestions about things “you should focus on right now.”
- You stop receiving invites to important meetings or strategy projects.
- Leadership seems unwilling to discuss your career growth.
- The CFO starts questioning your team’s budgets and expenditures.
- Your responsibilities or accounts get reallocated to others.
- You notice colleagues whispering as you walk by.
- HR reaches out asking if you’re still “engaged” in your role.
Any of these may indicate your employer has caught wind of your job search, whether via LinkedIn or through other means. Often it’s not an outright confrontation; leadership gives subtle signals they know you’re on your way out.
Consequences If Your Employer Discovers Your Search
Worst case scenario, what could happen if your employer realizes you’re looking?
- Awkwardness – Relationships with managers and leadership may become strained.
- Lost responsibilities – Key projects and accounts may be reassigned.
- Limited advancement – Doors close internally to promotions or growth.
- No raises or bonuses – Your compensation may stagnate.
- Performance microscope – Leaders scrutinize your output and attendance.
- Early exit – Your employer may terminate you sooner than planned.
In more extreme cases, the employer may threaten sabotaging your new opportunities or pursue legal action around a non-compete agreement if you leave. Each situation is different based on company policies and culture.
When Is It Okay to Job Search Secretly?
Generally you should be upfront with employers when considering new opportunities. But some situations may warrant a more covert search:
- Leadership shows no interest in retaining or promoting you.
- Toxic or hostile work culture with no open communication.
- Roles are being cut and layoffs feel imminent.
- New management upends career growth trajectories.
- Compelling personal reasons necessitate keeping your plans private.
If your employer isn’t likely to respond well or assist with an internal transfer, discreet networking may be your best option.
How to Job Search Privately Outside of LinkedIn
Your main alternative to LinkedIn is to network and apply for openings privately using these tactics:
- Direct applications – Apply through company websites instead of public job boards.
- Recruiter connections – Develop relationships with external recruiters in your field.
- Professional associations – Leverage industry contacts and groups for referrals.
- Conference networking – Attend events to connect outside your employer’s view.
- Independent resume – Create a resume without your current company listed.
- Anonymous job profiles – Use sites that mask your details like Interviewing.io.
You can find and apply for opportunities through any of these private channels without your employer catching wind.
Should You Tell Prospective Employers You’re Searching Secretly?
When interviewing with new companies, how open should you be about hiding your search from your current employer? Consider a few scenarios:
If directly asked:
- Explain you have sound reasons for discretion and mean no ill will.
- Focus the conversation on your interest and fit for the new opportunity.
- Avoid saying anything overly negative about your employer.
If not asked:
- No need to offer the information unprompted.
- Keep the focus on selling yourself and your capabilities.
- Be prepared to address it tactfully if it comes up.
With the right finesse, most hiring managers will understand your motivations and not hold a private search against you.
Conclusion
To summarize:
- LinkedIn privacy settings and connections determine what your employer can see.
- Be selective about connections and disable notifications to stay private.
- Your employer may also uncover leads through other means like work devices.
- Discretion is OK for toxic jobs but transparency often works better.
- Focus energy on discreet outreach beyond LinkedIn if needed.
With the right precautions, you can keep your employer in the dark while networking for your next opportunity on LinkedIn and beyond.