LinkedIn has become one of the top places to find and apply for jobs. With over 740 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is the largest professional networking platform. As more and more companies use LinkedIn to post jobs and source candidates, learning how to effectively use LinkedIn to apply for jobs is an important skill for job seekers.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the entire process of applying for jobs on LinkedIn step-by-step. We will cover how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, search for jobs, submit applications, communicate with recruiters and hiring managers, prepare for interviews, and follow up after applying.
Whether you are active or passive job seeker, a seasoned professional or just starting out, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to fully leverage LinkedIn to launch and grow your career.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
The first step to applying for jobs on LinkedIn is making sure you have an optimized LinkedIn profile. Your profile serves as your professional resume and portfolio on LinkedIn. Follow these tips to create an appealing and informative profile:
Professional Photo
Add a professional headshot photo of yourself in business or business casual attire. This gives hiring managers a sense of your professionalism and personality. Make sure the photo is high quality and well-lit.
Headline
Your headline appears right below your name and photo. Use your current job title and industry or summarize your professional identity or career goals in a few concise keywords.
For example: Digital Marketing Specialist | Passionate about Data & Storytelling
About Summary
Use the about section to provide a brief professional summary similar to what you would include on a resume. Focus on your background, skills, accomplishments, goals and what makes you unique. Write it in first person narrative voice to make it more personal.
Experience
Make sure all your professional work experiences are filled out in detail including company names, job titles, employment dates and concise bullet point descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements.
Skills & Endorsements
Add at least 5 key skills to your profile and ask connections to endorse you for relevant skills to build credibility. The skills section gives recruiters insight into your capabilities.
Education
List all your educational experiences including schools, degrees, graduation years and extracurriculars. Education is especially important for recent graduates and career changers.
Additional Sections
Consider adding other sections like Licenses & Certifications, Volunteer Work, Courses, Projects, Test Scores, Honors & Awards, Languages and Interests. These show your well-roundedness.
Profile Strength
Complete LinkedIn’s profile checklist to evaluate how robust and optimized your profile is. Aim for an All-Star ranking.
By dedicating time perfecting your LinkedIn profile, you increase your chances of being discovered and contacted by recruiters. It also enables you to make a great first impression when applying for jobs.
Customize Your LinkedIn URL
LinkedIn automatically assigns you a URL with a long string of random numbers and letters. To increase your professional brand, create a customized public profile URL using your name.
From your profile, click ‘Edit public profile & URL’ and type in the customized URL you want using your name. This makes your profile link more memorable and professional when applying for jobs or sharing your LinkedIn.
Enable Open Candidacy
A great way to get discovered by recruiters on LinkedIn is toggling on the Open Candidacy setting. This signals to recruiters that you are an active job seeker open to new job opportunities.
To turn on Open Candidacy:
1. Go to your LinkedIn Profile
2. Click ‘Career interests’ under your photo and headline
3. Select ‘Let recruiters know you’re open’
4. Choose relevant job titles you want to get contacted about
5. Click ‘Done’
With Open Candidacy enabled, recruiters can now find and contact you about relevant job openings.
Build Your Network
Expanding your LinkedIn network increases your visibility and access to insider career opportunities. Here are some ways to grow your network:
– Connect with colleagues, classmates, friends, family and other personal contacts.
– Follow and engage with companies you want to work for to join their talent communities.
– Join LinkedIn Groups in your industry and local area to connect with like-minded professionals. Be helpful by answering questions.
– Connect with recruiters and hiring managers at target companies. Offer to connect in recruitment messages.
– Follow LinkedIn influencers and thought leaders in your field whose content you enjoy. Like and comment on their posts.
– Connect with previous managers, mentors and people you interned with to tap into their networks.
Aim to build a diverse LinkedIn network of at least 500+ connections to maximize your reach and visibility. Focus on quality over quantity by connecting with those who know, like and trust you professionally. Nurture your network by engaging regularly.
Research Target Companies & Roles
Once your LinkedIn profile and network are ready, take time researching your target companies, ideal roles and top priorities for your next move. Key areas to research:
– Company mission, values, culture and leadership team
– Products, services, customers and competitors
– Recent company news and initiatives
– Open positions aligned to your skills and interests
– Organizational priorities that your background can help address
– Specific hiring managers, recruiters and team members to network with
– Company employee LinkedIn profiles to see common backgrounds and career paths
Conducting research gives you valuable insights to showcase in your application and interviews on why you are interested in and well-suited for specific companies and roles.
Search for Jobs
Now it is time to search for open positions. There are two main ways to find relevant jobs on LinkedIn:
1. Jobs Search Tab
The jobs search tab allows you to search all job listings on LinkedIn using keywords, titles, companies, locations and more filters. You can save your searches to be automatically updated when new matching jobs are posted.
2. Company Pages
Every LinkedIn company page has a jobs tab listing all their current openings. Follow your target companies and check their jobs tabs regularly for new opportunities. Sign up for job alerts to be notified when targeted companies post openings.
Additional tips for searching:
– Search broadly across functions and industries to uncover ideal fits.
– Try unique or emerging job titles that align to your background.
– Broaden location filters to access remote roles or opportunities to relocate.
– Leverage LinkedIn Recruiter to uncover unlisted opportunities through recruiters.
– Search using keywords like “entry-level” or “new grad” if you lack experience.
– Connect with recruiters at your target companies to access unposted roles.
Dedicate time searching widely for roles on a regular basis. Applying early for freshly posted jobs boosts your chances before competition ramps up.
Apply for Jobs
Once you find jobs you are interested in and well-qualified for, submit your applications. Here is how to effectively apply for jobs on LinkedIn:
One-Click Apply
Many LinkedIn job listings have a simple one-click “Apply Now” button. Clicking here submits your full profile to the employer as your resume/application. Make sure your profile is updated before one-click applying.
Company Application Portals
Some postings direct applicants to apply on the company website portal to complete required fields and upload documents like a resume or cover letter. Thoroughly fill out all sections and tailor materials to each role.
Easy Apply
Easy Apply roles let you submit your LinkedIn profile as your application with the click of a button, along with answering some additional application questions on the platform.
InMail
Jobs labeled “InMail recruiters” invite you to apply by directly messaging the recruiter specified in the post. Highlight your interest and fit in the InMail.
Recruiter Outreach
Even if a role isn’t posted publicly, find and connect with recruiters at your target company on LinkedIn and express interest in opportunities.
Applying for roles early, completely and by following instructions demonstrates your attention to detail and motivation. Focus on quality over quantity by tailoring each application.
Message Recruiters
Instead of just submitting applications and waiting, be proactive reaching out directly to recruiters and hiring managers at companies you want to work for. Here are tips for effective outreach:
– Personalize each message to explain why you are interested in and a great fit for the specific role or company.
– Highlight relevant background, skills, accomplishments and passions that make you stand out.
– Ask about the interview process, ideal candidate, challenges of the role or company initiatives to show your interest.
– Share any personal connections you may have to the company employees or leadership (i.e. alumni status).
– Request a phone call, virtual coffee chat or meeting to further discuss qualifications and learn more.
– Thank them for their time and consideration. Check LinkedIn to see if messages are read and follow up accordingly.
Recruiter messages allow you to make a more personal and memorable introduction versus just submitting an application into a portal. Follow up your outreach with an application submission.
Ace the Interview Process
As you progress through applications, you will start receiving interview requests. Here are tips to ace every step:
1. Initial Phone Screens
– Have your resume, the job description and research on the role available to reference.
– Prepare answers to common phone screen questions about your background, skills and interest in the role.
– Speak clearly and confidently, even if just on a phone. Having notes and water nearby can help.
– Have thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end.
2. Technical & Skills Assessments
– Brush up on the specific required skills before any technical test or case study.
– Ask the recruiter if there are areas you should focus your preparation on.
– For virtual presentations, practice with the tech platform ahead of time. Dress professionally and have notes nearby.
3. Manager Interviews
– Research your interviewers on LinkedIn to personalize your conversations and prepare questions specific to each person’s background and role.
– Practice articulating how your experience, leadership style, values and vision directly address the company and role’s top priorities.
– Ask the interviewers thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of and passion for the opportunity.
4. Follow Up
– Send thank you notes to each person who interviewed you within 24 hours. Personalize each message with something unique from your conversation.
– Follow up with the recruiter on next steps and your continued interest after interviews. Ask for their feedback on your candidacy.
By preparing thoroughly and following up promptly at each interview stage, you increase your chances of earning an offer.
Negotiate Your Offer
Once extended an offer, evaluate if the compensation, benefits, work location, responsibilities and growth opportunities align with your needs and expectations. If not, negotiate respectfully with these tips:
– Have a specific counteroffer in mind, whether it be higher salary, more vacation time, flexible work arrangements or other benefits.
– Research typical pay ranges for the role and your experience level on sites like Glassdoor, Payscale and Salary.com to benchmark.
– Politely explain your reasoning for the counteroffer using market data and the value you will bring.
– Be reasonable. Ask for adjustments comparable to market rates that account for your unique qualifications.
– If countered, carefully weigh the final offer details against other opportunities to determine what works for your career goals and needs.
Negotiating needs to be done cordially and backed by facts. Avoid ultimatums. With the right approach, you are often able to agree on an offer favorable for both you and the employer.
Accept & Decline Offers
Once you have an offer in hand that works for you, verbally accept excitedly and follow up in writing. Notify other companies you are pursuing that you have accepted another role and are no longer a candidate. Decline any other offers you received gracefully.
If the timing of offers makes it difficult to decide, ask if there is flexibility to extend the deadline. This gives you time to complete all interviews and make the best decision. Avoid reneging – backing out of an accepted offer – whenever possible.
Inform your network and update your profiles and LinkedIn once you formally accept a position. Thank all individuals involved in your job search for their support.
Onboard & Excel
When starting your new role, be proactive setting up meetings with stakeholders to build key relationships and understand priorities. Glean insights by asking questions and observing team dynamics. Keep growing your internal network.
Work hard to ramp up quickly and make meaningful contributions. Seek regular feedback and be open to learning. Participate enthusiastically in onboarding and training.
Updating your experience on LinkedIn, growing your network internally and staying active on the platform even after landing a job preserves valuable connections and surfaces future career options. Congratulations on leveraging LinkedIn to land your next role!
Conclusion
Mastering how to effectively apply for jobs on LinkedIn is an invaluable skill for career success and advancement in today’s digital era. Optimizing your LinkedIn profile, proactively networking and messaging recruiters, submitting tailored applications, interviewing successfully and negotiating offers leads to winning your next opportunity.
Dedicate time to regularly enhance your LinkedIn presence, connect with contacts, research employers, search for openings, apply to roles, prepare for interviews and build relationships. Patience and persistence are key. Use LinkedIn as part of a multi-pronged job search strategy.
By consistently putting your best foot forward on the world’s largest professional networking platform, you showcase your unique value, experience and passions to make the right career connections. Your dream job is within reach following this comprehensive playbook to apply for jobs strategically on LinkedIn. Just click “apply” and launch your next chapter!