Being unemployed can be a challenging and stressful time. However, it’s important to remember that unemployment is usually only temporary. With some strategic planning and effort, you can continue moving your career forward even when you find yourself between jobs.
One valuable tool to leverage during unemployment is LinkedIn. As the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 660 million members, LinkedIn provides access to a vast range of connections, resources and opportunities. By actively engaging on LinkedIn during unemployment, you can raise your professional visibility, nurture your network, explore job options and demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers.
Keep your profile updated
With recruiters and hiring managers frequently searching LinkedIn for potential candidates, it’s essential that your profile accurately represents your professional capabilities and experience. Take time when unemployed to update your LinkedIn profile so it includes:
- A professional headshot
- A compelling headline and summary section tailored to your target roles
- Detailed descriptions of your skills, accomplishments and credentials
- All your current and past work experiences with clear role descriptions
- Examples of projects, publications, certifications or other showpieces
- Recommendations from managers, clients or colleagues that endorse your capabilities
Optimizing your LinkedIn profile for clarity, completeness and relevance will help you stand out in recruiter searches and allow hiring managers to quickly determine if you’re a potential match for open positions.
Expand your network
Networking is one of the most effective strategies for landing a job when unemployed. With its expansive member base, LinkedIn provides an ideal platform to efficiently grow your professional network. Dedicate time each week when unemployed to proactively connect with:
- Recruiters at target companies: Message recruiters who source talent for roles or employers you’re interested in. Introduce yourself, briefly explain your background and express interest in any relevant opportunities.
- Leaders in your industry: Reach out to executives, entrepreneurs, influencers and senior professionals in your field to build relationships. Offer value by sharing useful articles or providing thoughtful comments on their posts.
- Former managers and colleagues: Reconnect with past coworkers, supervisors, clients or vendors you enjoyed working with. Remind them of your experience together and interest in new opportunities.
- Alumni from your university: Join alumni groups on LinkedIn to connect with fellow graduates. Leverage your shared collegiate experiences and interests to build rapport.
- Friends of friends: Use LinkedIn’s 2nd and 3rd degree connections to expand your network. Introduce yourself through any mutual connections and mention shared affiliations.
Broadening your LinkedIn network exposes you to insider opportunities and referrals that could shorten your job search when unemployed.
Follow relevant companies
One simple yet effective way to stay on top of potential job openings is to follow relevant companies on LinkedIn. Here are some ways to use this feature when unemployed:
- Search for employers in your industry or geographic area and click “Follow” on their LinkedIn Company Page.
- Set up LinkedIn job alerts for specific employers to get notified when openings are posted.
- Frequently check Company Pages for newly posted jobs or news about new projects and initiatives that could lead to hiring needs.
- Engage with Company Page content by liking, commenting, sharing and clicking on articles to signal your interest.
Following target employers provides visibility into opportunities at organizations you want to work for. Make sure to also follow key hiring managers and recruiters at those companies.
Join industry groups
Industry-specific LinkedIn Groups offer a chance to immerse yourself in a professional community aligned to your field and goals when unemployed. Groups to consider joining include:
- Local chapters: Connect with professionals in your geographic area through regional alumni associations, nonprofits and other community groups.
- Trade organizations: Trade and professional associations often have LinkedIn Groups to facilitate discussion and collaboration.
- Company or product users: Groups focused on particular brands and employers can help you network with relevant insiders.
- Special interest groups: Join conversations around niche topics like women in leadership, LGBTQ+ professionals and other affinity communities.
Engage actively in Group discussions when unemployed by posting thoughtful questions and insights. You can also identify members to connect with individually based on common interests or mutual connections.
Offer pro bono services
One strategic way to gain new skills, give back and expand your network when unemployed is to offer your expertise on a pro bono basis. Some options for providing volunteer services through LinkedIn include:
- Advising nonprofits on projects that leverage your capabilities and experience.
- Providing complimentary coaching, mentoring or consulting to recent graduates or young professionals.
- Teaching or training courses for local schools, community colleges or professional associations.
- Creating content, designing assets or supporting initiatives for philanthropic organizations.
Publicize your pro bono work and achievements on your LinkedIn profile and via posts. This demonstrates your commitment to making a social impact and keeping your skills sharp when unemployed.
Share career advice
Given your own unemployment experience, you likely have valuable insights to offer others navigating periods between jobs. Potential ways to provide career assistance through LinkedIn include:
- Responding to questions and messages from connections about the job search process.
- Publishing posts with tips, recommendations and lessons learned from your situation.
- Creating content like e-books, courses or webinars on in-demand job search topics.
- Speaking about relevant career-related themes at online events, conferences and meetings.
Positioning yourself as a career advisor helps you build your personal brand, display your thought leadership and expand your network when unemployed.
Take online courses
LinkedIn Learning provides a massive catalog of online courses covering business, creative and technology topics. When unemployed, this presents an opportunity to:
- Learn new skills that make you more marketable for target roles.
- Earn certifications and credentials that validate expertise on your resume.
- Stay professionally sharp and prevent skills from stagnating between jobs.
Add any courses or certifications you complete to your LinkedIn profile. This enables you to showcase newly expanded capabilities to recruiters and hiring managers searching for candidates.
Conclusion
Navigating unemployment can be demoralizing, but using LinkedIn effectively keeps you connected, engaged and progressing towards your next opportunity. Maintain an optimized profile, expand your network, follow employers, join industry groups, offer pro bono services, share advice and take courses. By proactively leveraging LinkedIn’s tools and connections when unemployed, you’ll be well positioned to achieve your career goals.