LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 660 million users worldwide. It’s a great place to network, build your professional brand, and of course, search for jobs. With LinkedIn’s advanced search features, you can find and apply to jobs that match your skills, interests, and preferences.
One useful feature on LinkedIn is creating saved job searches. This allows you to set up customized searches that will alert you when new jobs matching your criteria are posted. Having saved searches can save you time and effort compared to doing manual searches every time you want to look for relevant job openings.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about creating effective saved job searches on LinkedIn.
Benefits of Saved Job Searches
Here are some of the key benefits of using LinkedIn’s saved job search feature:
- Get notified of new relevant jobs – Once you save a search, LinkedIn will email you whenever a new job is posted that matches your search criteria. This allows you to be among the first applicants.
- Stay up-to-date on opportunities – Saved searches help you keep tabs on the job market for your target roles without having to repeatedly run the same searches.
- Customize and filter – You can customize searches based on job title, company, location, job function, industry, seniority level, and other filters.
- Save time – Saved searches eliminate the need to manually look for jobs every day or week. The jobs come directly to your inbox.
- Focus your search – Tailor your searches so you only see openings highly relevant to your goals and qualifications.
- Apply quickly – Easily view and apply to jobs from the emails LinkedIn sends you, without needing to log into your account.
In summary, saved searches allow you to be more targeted, efficient, and proactive in your job search on LinkedIn.
How to Create a Saved Job Search
Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a saved job search on LinkedIn:
1. Access LinkedIn’s Jobs Page
Go to https://www.linkedin.com/jobs in your web browser or mobile app. This is the main jumping off point for LinkedIn’s job board.
Alternatively, you can click on “Jobs” from the LinkedIn homepage or navigation bar.
2. Enter Your Job Search Criteria
Use the search bar at the top of the page to enter the keywords for the type of job you want. For example, “Project Manager,” “Registered Nurse,” or “Software Engineer.”
You can also search by company or location by clicking the additional filters below the search bar.
3. Filter Further If Desired
To refine your search, use the filters on the left side of the page. Filter by location, date posted, job type, company, industry, job function, seniority level, etc.
Narrowing your search will make sure you only get results highly relevant to you.
4. Click “Save this Search”
Once you have your ideal search filters set up, click the “Save this Search” button near the top right of the page.
5. Name Your Search
You’ll be prompted to give the search a name. Name it something that summarizes the search, like “Project Manager Jobs in Chicago” or “Remote Software Engineer Roles.”
6. Select Search Options
Configure the following options for your saved search:
- Frequency for email updates – Daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Location radius – Narrow or broaden your geographic area.
- Remote filter – Choose to include or exclude remote jobs.
- Job type filters – Full-time, part-time, internship, etc.
7. Save Your Search
Once your options are set up, click “Save” to complete setting up the saved search.
You’re all done! LinkedIn will now email you whenever new jobs match your search criteria.
Tips for an Effective Saved Search
Here are some tips to ensure your saved job searches are optimized for the opportunities you want:
- Use specific keywords relevant to your target role – For example, “Social Media Manager” rather than just “Manager.”
- Search multiple variations of a role – Try “software developer,” “software engineer,” “application developer,” etc.
- Factor in alternate job titles – Marketing specialists may also be listed as coordinators, assistants, analysts, etc.
- Focus on one location – Broad location filters can get overwhelmed with irrelevant results from other cities.
- Limit to recent postings – Search the last month or week to see the latest openings.
- Review and refresh periodically – Update your searches regularly to keep them well-targeted.
Following these best practices will help you hone in on the newest and most relevant job opportunities.
Managing Your Saved Searches
LinkedIn makes it easy to manage and modify your saved job searches over time:
- Edit search criteria – Click into any saved search to update the keywords, filters, options, etc.
- Change email frequency – Increase or decrease how often you get emailed updates.
- Delete a search – Remove any searches that are no longer relevant.
- Review email updates – Scan new job results right from your email to quickly apply.
- Follow companies – Follow employers to get notified when they post new jobs.
Refining and customizing your searches periodically can help streamline opportunities sent to your inbox.
Applying to Jobs from Email Updates
One of the handiest features of saved searches is the ability to quickly apply to jobs straight from the email updates LinkedIn sends you:
- View new job results – Each email contains listings that match your search with a brief overview.
- Click “Apply Now” – Apply directly from the email with a single click, no need to log in.
- Follow application instructions – Complete the application on the company’s site.
- Leverage LinkedIn Profile – Your up-to-date LinkedIn profile will impress recruiters.
- Stay organized – Email yourself notes on jobs you’ve applied to from LinkedIn emails.
Applying as soon as you get relevant job alerts can give you a jump start on the competition.
Customizing Your Profile for Your Target Roles
To maximize your success from LinkedIn job searches, make sure your LinkedIn profile is customized for the types of roles you want:
- Targeted headline – Summarize your professional identity in your headline, like “Product Marketing Manager.”
- Key skills and achievements – Feature the skills and accomplishments most relevant to your goal jobs.
- Position descriptions – Tailor the bullets under each position for keywords that will appeal to recruiters and hiring managers.
- Industry keywords – Incorporate terminology from your target field throughout your profile.
- Keywords in your profile URL – If available, get a custom URL with your name and keywords.
A strategic, keyword optimized profile will get you noticed more by LinkedIn recruiters and hiring managers viewing your application.
Pro Tips
Use these advanced tactics to get even more out of LinkedIn’s job search features:
- Join relevant LinkedIn Groups – Follow Groups in your industry to see job postings members share.
- Connect with company insiders – Message employees at companies you’re interested in to build relationships.
- Follow companies – Get notified when your target employers post new openings.
- Use advanced Boolean search – Combine keywords with “AND” and “OR” for more precision.
- Look for talent scouts – Connect with recruiters who work in your field.
- Use saved search alerts – Get mobile notifications when you get new job results.
Leveraging your entire LinkedIn network and these insider strategies can uncover even more relevant opportunities.
Conclusion
Creating saved job searches on LinkedIn provides a simple and effective way to automate and customize your job search. Defining your ideal roles and locations and receiving automated email alerts eliminates the need for manual searches.
With savvy search configuration, prompt application, and a strategically optimized profile, LinkedIn saved searches can connect you to your next great job match with much less effort. Sign into your account today and set up some searches that will put the ideal job opportunities right at your fingertips.