LinkedIn’s Apply button allows you to quickly and easily submit your profile and resume to apply for jobs on the platform. When you click the Apply button, several things happen behind the scenes to process your application and deliver it to the hiring manager.
Your Profile is Sent to the Employer
The most basic function of the Apply button is to send your LinkedIn profile to the employer as an expression of interest in the role. Your profile acts as a quick summary of your professional background, experience, skills, and other credentials.
LinkedIn’s Apply connects directly to the LinkedIn profile you have built, packages up the information, and sends it directly to the hiring manager’s inbox. This allows them to quickly view your profile as part of assessing your candidacy, without you needing to re-enter all of your information into a lengthy application form.
When you click Apply, you are effectively letting the employer know you are interested in the role and allowing them immediate access to view your profile. Your LinkedIn profile is central to the application process via the Apply feature.
Your Resume is Uploaded
In addition to your LinkedIn profile, the Apply feature also automatically uploads your resume to be sent to the employer. Your resume provides more detailed information about your work history, skills, education, and other qualifications.
Your resume is pulled from the LinkedIn Resume section, if you have one uploaded. This resume is then bundled together with your profile. Having both your resume and profile sent together gives the employer the big picture overview via your profile, supplemented with the detailed work history from your resume.
Ensuring your resume is up-to-date on LinkedIn is crucial, as many employers will be judging your candidacy primarily on your resume submitted at this initial application stage.
A Cover Letter May be Generated
LinkedIn also provides the option to generate and include a Cover Letter with your application via the Easy Apply feature.
When opting to include a Cover Letter, you can choose for LinkedIn to automatically generate one for you based on the job description and your profile. The Cover Letter will highlight your relevant skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to the role.
Alternatively, you can choose to upload your own custom Cover Letter drafted to the particular position and company you are applying to. Including a Cover Letter allows you to expand on your interest and fit for the specific job.
Your Application is Submitted to the Employer
Once you complete the Apply flow, your full application consisting of your Profile, Resume, and optional Cover Letter is formally submitted directly to the hiring manager’s LinkedIn account.
This means your application will sit in the hiring manager’s Messages section alongside any other LinkedIn correspondence. It will be clearly highlighted as a job application for that particular role.
The Employer is Notified
In addition to delivering your application directly into the hiring manager’s LinkedIn inbox, the Apply feature also automatically notifies the employer that you have submitted an application.
This ensures your application is surfaced prominently and immediately to the employer, and is not missed amongst other messages.
You can be confident that clicking Apply alerts the hiring manager that your application is waiting for their review. This notification drives further visibility to your application.
Your Application is Associated with the Job
LinkedIn’s Apply feature has the benefit of directly associating your application to the relevant job, and submitting it back to the person who posted the job ad.
This means your application materials are neatly packaged up and clearly labeled as intended for a particular role at a particular company. There is no ambiguity about what position you have applied for.
The standardized application format also means employers can easily manage and track applications as they arrive from candidates.
One-Click Applying for Future Roles
A handy feature of LinkedIn’s Apply is that after submitting an initial application for a job, you can then quickly apply again with one click for any other jobs at the same company in future.
LinkedIn stores your application documents and application history. If you find another role that interests you at the same company, you can simply click a button to instantly submit your existing application again.
This shortcut removes the need to continually resubmit your full profile, resume, and other documents each time you apply. You can easily express interest in other relevant openings as they arise.
You Appear in the Applicant Dashboard
Once you submit your application via LinkedIn Apply, your name will automatically appear in the applicant tracking dashboard for that particular role.
Employers can view a centralized dashboard to manage and track all applicants who have submitted for the job. As soon as you click Apply, your name appears on this list alongside other candidates.
Being on the applicant dashboard makes it easy for employers to evaluate and progress your application, as everything is in one place. It also provides visibility over where you stand amongst other applicants.
Your Consent is Logged
As part of the Apply flow, you provide your consent for your personal information to be shared with the hiring company regarding the particular role you are applying for.
This formally documents your permission for your LinkedIn data to be accessed. Without your explicit consent, your information cannot be shared with the employer to be considered for the job.
Your consent is only for the specific application. It does not provide ongoing access or use of your data. Your consent is also revocable at any time if you change your mind about progressing your application.
How Employers Manage LinkedIn Job Applications
Once you click Apply and submit your application for a job, here is some insight into how employers typically manage these types of LinkedIn applications:
Application Review
Hiring managers will closely review your submitted LinkedIn profile, resume, and any other supporting documents like a Cover Letter. They assess your suitability for the open position based on areas like your skills, qualifications, experience and cultural fit.
Resume Screening Software
Your LinkedIn resume may be processed through Applicant Tracking Software that scans resumes and profiles for keywords, skills, former employers, and other data points to filter applicants.
Reaching Out
If interested in progressing your application, the employer will reach out to request a formal interview. Alternatively, they may wish to screen you over a quick phone call before scheduling an interview.
Interview Scheduling
For applicants that pass initial screening stages, employers will contact them to schedule a formal job interview. This could be conducted via phone, video conferencing, or in-person.
Assessment & Selection
The hiring manager will assess candidates through one or more interviews and other selection processes before deciding on the most suitable applicant to make an offer to.
Rejection Notification
For applicants that are unsuccessful, the employer will send a message to notify that you have not been selected to progress further. Rejection notifications on LinkedIn close the loop on your application status.
Benefits of Applying with LinkedIn
Here are some of the key advantages to using LinkedIn’s Apply feature compared to a traditional application process:
Quick and Easy
The LinkedIn apply flow is extremely quick and easy. Just a few clicks apply your full profile. No need for lengthy application forms.
Leverages Existing Profile
Applying relies on your comprehensive LinkedIn profile, so no repetitive entry of information required. Your profile does the heavy lifting.
Increased Visibility
Your application is prominently delivered to the hiring manager’s inbox and notifications. This visibility makes it more likely your application is reviewed.
Associated with Job
Your application is neatly tied to the specific role, improving organization and tracking.
Standardized Format
Your profile, resume, and cover letter are formatted consistently for employer review. A standardized application format improves assessment.
More Applications
The ease of one-click applying makes it quicker to submit to more roles that interest you. More applications means higher chance of success.
Ongoing Consent
You must consent to share your data with each specific application, and can revoke access at any point.
Potential Issues to Be Aware Of
While the LinkedIn Apply feature offers many benefits, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
Limited Screening
Easy apply means it is quick for candidates to express interest even if not well suited. This can overwhelm employers with applications to review.
Emphasis on Profile
Heavy reliance on LinkedIn profile means your candidacy may be unfairly judged on the strength of your profile vs resume.
No Customization
The standardized LinkedIn application format does not allow customization or pitching your unique value proposition.
Potential Duplication
Applying for a role where you have already submitted your profile via another channel may duplicate and complicate applications.
Data Privacy
While consent is required, some candidates may have concerns around privacy of having their data submitted directly via LinkedIn.
Tips for Using LinkedIn Apply
To gain the most from LinkedIn’s application functionality, here are some top tips:
Build a Strong Profile
Your Profile will make or break your application. Invest time ensuring your Profile is comprehensive, detailed and professional.
Customize for Each Application
If possible, tweak your Profile and Resume to better fit each application rather than sending a generic version.
Use Cover Letter
Opt to include a Cover Letter tailored to the organization and role to customize your pitch.
Follow Up
Don’t just apply and wait. Follow up after applying to express your interest in interviewing.
Check Privacy Settings
Review your Profile’s privacy settings before applying. Make sure information is set to public.
Monitor Activity
Check who has viewed your Profile after applying to gauge employer engagement.
Remove Old Applications
Delete previous applications no longer under consideration from your account history.
Conclusion
The LinkedIn Apply feature offers a quick and convenient way to submit your candidacy for roles. But it is not necessarily a replacement for direct outreach. Use it as an additional application channel alongside traditional job hunting approaches.
Take time to ensure your Profile and Resume accurately reflect your experience prior to applying. Follow up after submitting your application to increase your chances of landing an interview.
With some discipline, LinkedIn Apply can be a powerful addition to your job search toolkit and help connect you with exciting new job opportunities.
