LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 660 million users worldwide. As a professional networking and career development site, LinkedIn allows you to create a customized profile to showcase your work experience, education, skills, and endorsements. One of the key features on LinkedIn is the ability to add job preferences – this allows recruiters and hiring managers to find you for relevant job opportunities that match your background and interests.
Why Add a Job Title?
Adding a job title to your preferences enables you to signal to recruiters the type of role you are interested in. It makes your LinkedIn profile searchable for recruiters looking to fill that particular position. Here are some key reasons to add a job title:
- Increases discoverability – recruiters can find your profile for that job title
- Surfaces relevant job opportunities – you may get reached out to directly by recruiters
- Customizes your LinkedIn feed – you will see more job postings and content related to that role
- Shows focus – highlights the jobs you are currently most interested in
Overall, adding job titles to your preferences helps tailor your LinkedIn presence and makes your profile stand out for your desired career trajectory. As your career goals and interests change over time, you can easily update the job titles that best represent the types of opportunities you want.
How to Add a Job Title on LinkedIn
Adding a job title to your preferences on LinkedIn is simple and straightforward. Here are the step-by-step instructions:
- Access your LinkedIn account and go to your profile page.
- Click on the “Open profile” button to access your profile editing tools.
- On the left side panel, click on “Preferences.”
- Under the “Career interests” section, click on the pencil icon next to “Job preferences.”
- Type in your desired job title into the search bar.
- Select the relevant job title from the dropdown list.
- Click “Save” to add the job title.
You can add up to 10 job titles that will display on your profile. The job titles you add will appear under the “Career interests” section of your profile.
Tips for Choosing Job Titles
Here are some tips when adding job titles to your LinkedIn preferences:
- Use specific job titles instead of broad ones – “Social Media Manager” instead of “Marketing.”
- Focus on current or aspirational titles tailored to your goals.
- Align titles to the types of roles you want to be contacted about.
- Use widely recognized job titles rather than company-specific ones.
- Update titles regularly as your career progresses.
- Prioritize titles that are most relevant to your latest experience.
Choosing clear, descriptive job titles makes it more likely you’ll surface in the searches of recruiters. Take some time to carefully consider and customize the job titles that best represent your professional capabilities and interests.
Customizing Job Title Settings
In addition to adding specific job titles, you can also customize your preferences through job title visibility settings:
- Profile – Have the job titles show on your profile.
- Private to you – Titles will not display but will still be used for matching.
- Disallow titles – Opt out of job title matching entirely.
Having titles visible on your profile is best for discoverability. The “Private to you” option can work if you are in a confidential job search. And you can prohibit job title matching if you want to pause recruiter outreach.
Additional Job Preferences Settings
Along with job titles, LinkedIn job preferences include additional options to customize:
- Locations – Geographies you want to work in.
- Remote status – Whether you are open to remote work.
- Job types – Employment types such as part-time, contract or volunteer.
- Company sizes – Ideal company size ranges you prefer.
Fill out these additional job preferences to give recruiters more context on your job search criteria. Provide as much detail as possible on your preferences to attract the most relevant opportunities.
Updating Your Job Title Preferences
It’s important to keep your job preferences updated as your career develops. Here are some best practices for maintaining your job titles:
- Edit the titles whenever you take on a new role or want to demonstrate a career change.
- Remove titles that are no longer relevant to the jobs you are seeking.
- Add emerging roles you are interested in exploring.
- Tailor titles based on active job searches you have underway.
- Review preferences every few months to edit as needed.
With LinkedIn’s job preferences, you have lots of flexibility to customize your profile for the opportunities you want next. Keep the job titles fresh and aligned with your career aspirations.
Conclusion
Adding desired job titles to your LinkedIn preferences is an impactful way to enhance your job search. It enables recruiters to discover you for relevant openings and positions you front and center for your dream roles. By following the steps above to add and customize job titles, you can maximize your chances of being contacted for exciting new career opportunities.
Remember to choose specific, recognizable job titles that represent your capabilities and interests. Regularly update the titles to match your current career goals. With the right job titles highlighted, your LinkedIn profile will become even more powerful in advancing your career journey.