Posting a job on LinkedIn without showing your profile can be useful for maintaining privacy or anonymity when hiring for certain positions. However, LinkedIn does require all job posters to have a profile and be signed into it to post a job.
While you can’t post a job without having a profile at all, there are steps you can take to post a job on LinkedIn while revealing minimal information from your profile. Here are some tips:
Use a Basic or Private Profile
LinkedIn allows you to choose from 3 profile visibility settings:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Public | Anyone can view your full profile |
| Basic | Anyone can see your name, headline, current position, and industry |
| Private | Only your connections can see your profile |
To post a job with minimal profile exposure, use either the Basic or Private setting. With Basic, people will only see limited information if they click on the job post. With Private, only your connections will see even that limited info.
Use an Alternate Profile
LinkedIn allows you to have multiple profiles under the same account. You can create an alternate profile specifically for posting jobs.
Keep your main profile fully private, while the alternate profile uses the Basic setting. The alternate only needs those basic job posting necessities – a name, headline, current position, and industry.
This allows you to post jobs without any extra profile info being seen. Just sign into the alternate profile when posting jobs.
Use a Company Page
If you are posting jobs on behalf of a company, you can post through an official Company Page rather than an individual profile.
Company Pages have their own settings separate from your personal profile. You can make the Company Page visible to show basic info without exposing your own profile.
Steps to Post a Job with Limited Profile Visibility
Here is the full process for posting a job while limiting profile exposure:
Step 1: Adjust Profile Settings
First, adjust your profile visibility:
– For your main profile, set it to fully Private so only connections see it.
– If using an alternate profile, set it to Basic with just name, headline, position, and industry.
– For a Company page, set visibility to show basic company info but not full page or employees.
Step 2: Create the Job Post
Next, create the job post itself:
– Click “Jobs” in the top LinkedIn menu bar and select “Post a job”
– Enter all the job details – title, description, responsibilities, qualifications, etc.
– You can leave the logo, company name, and other info blank if you want to remain anonymous.
– Double check that the role and any details won’t identify you unless intended.
Step 3: Select Job Visibility
When posting the job, you can choose who can see it:
– “Anyone” – Most public, visible to all LinkedIn members.
– “Members only” – Only visible to logged-in members.
– “Connections only” – Only visible to your connections. Most private.
Choose based on your visibility preferences. Just know the more private, the smaller your applicant pool.
Step 4: Publish the Listing
Preview the job post, then publish it live. The job will now be live on LinkedIn for applicants to see and apply.
You’ve successfully posted a job while controlling profile visibility! Monitor applications and manage the hiring process from the jobs dashboard.
Best Practices
When posting jobs with limited profile exposure, keep these best practices in mind:
Use a Generic Photo
Even with a Basic profile, your photo will be visible. Use a generic, non-identifying photo rather than your own picture.
Customize Public Name
You can customize the public name on your profile to remain anonymous. Avoid using a real name.
Consider a Company Email
If you don’t want applicants replying to your personal email, use a generic company email instead.
Remain Professional
Even without your full identity exposed, still communicate professionally with applicants. Don’t reveal anything inappropriate.
Monitor Responses
Check back regularly on the jobs dashboard to vet and respond to applicants. Follow up in a timely manner.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Why do I need a profile at all to post a job?
LinkedIn requires job posters to have an account and be logged in for quality control reasons and to prevent abusive job posts. The good news is you can use options like an alternate profile to remain mostly anonymous.
What if I want to stay completely anonymous?
Unfortunately, you will need to have at least some basic profile information to post a job on LinkedIn. Completely anonymous job posts are not permitted.
Can I hide my identity from applicants?
Yes, you can use an alternate profile with minimal info, non-identifying photo and name, and generic company email to remain essentially anonymous to applicants.
What profile info do applicants see when applying?
With a Private profile, applicants see no profile info. With a Basic profile, they only see your name, headline, position, and industry. Your full profile remains hidden.
Is a Basic profile sufficient for posting jobs?
A Basic profile gives enough info for LinkedIn to post jobs while protecting your privacy. Most applicants will be focused on the job details rather than your limited profile info.
Conclusion
Posting jobs anonymously or with limited profile exposure is possible on LinkedIn through careful configuration. Use a Private, Basic, or Company Page profile, customize visibility settings, and utilize best practices to keep your personal details private. This allows you to hire freely for any position while maintaining your professional reputation.
With the right approach, LinkedIn’s job board can be a valuable hiring resource without compromising your privacy or identity. Just follow the steps outlined above, and you can securely post jobs and connect with qualified applicants.