What hashtags to use on LinkedIn looking for job?

Quick Answer

When looking for a job on LinkedIn, strategic use of hashtags in your posts and profile can help attract recruiters and hiring managers. Some top hashtags to use include:

• #OpenToWork
• #JobSearch
• #Hiring
• [Your Industry] (e.g. #Finance)
• [Your Job Title] (e.g. #SoftwareEngineer)
• [Skills] (e.g. #SocialMedia)
• [Location] (e.g. #Chicago)

Using relevant hashtags helps get your profile and content seen by more of the right people. Include a few strategic hashtags in your profile summary, posts, and comments to improve visibility.

Why Use Hashtags on LinkedIn?

Here are some of the key benefits of using hashtags on LinkedIn when job searching:

• Increases reach – Adding relevant hashtags means your content may appear in searches related to those terms, expanding visibility beyond just your connections.
• Discoverability – Recruiters often search hashtags to find candidates based on skills, experience and location.
• Engagement – Hashtags can help spark conversation with others in your industry and build relationships.
• Branding – Strategic hashtags communicate your professional brand and what you bring to the table as a candidate.

So in short, hashtags help get your profile and content seen by more relevant people, which is critical when job searching on LinkedIn.

Top Hashtags for LinkedIn Job Search

Here are some of the most effective hashtags to use on LinkedIn when looking for a new job opportunity:

#OpenToWork

Perhaps the most popular job hunting hashtag, #OpenToWork clearly communicates that you are actively looking for new roles. Include it in your profile summary, posts and comments to surface your search to recruiters.

#Hiring / #Recruiting

Follow and engage with the #Hiring and #Recruiting hashtag threads to stay on top of new job postings and find openings that may not be formally advertised yet.

[Industry] e.g. #Finance, #Healthcare

Use hashtags for your particular industry to get connected with others in your field. Industry-specific hashtags can also help you discover new companies and roles.

[Job Title] e.g. #ProjectManager, #DataScientist

Hashtags for your current or desired job title help showcase your professional brand and background. Follow related hashtags to find openings matching your experience.

[Skills] e.g. #SocialMedia, #CRM

Highlight relevant skill hashtags you have experience with. This helps attract recruiters looking for those particular abilities and strengths.

[Location] e.g. #Boston, #Remote

Location-based hashtags like cities and states communicate where you are looking to find opportunities. #Remote showcases openness to virtual roles.

Examples

Here are some examples of how you could incorporate various job hunting hashtags on LinkedIn:

• Profile Summary: Digital marketing professional with 5+ years experience. #OpenToWork in #Chicago area or #Remote roles. #PPC #SEO
• Post: Thrilled to announce I have achieved my Google Ads certification! Excited to apply my #PPC skills in a new #Marketing role. #OpenToWork
• Comment: Congrats on the new job! I am currently looking for #UX design roles in the #BayArea. Please let me know if you come across any good opportunities. #OpenToWork #UXDesigner

Tips for Using LinkedIn Job Hunting Hashtags

Here are some top tips for using hashtags effectively on LinkedIn while searching for your next position:

• Prioritize 1-2 primary hashtags like #OpenToWork or your job title to consistently communicate your search.
• Research popular hashtags in your industry and incorporate relevant terms throughout your profile and posts.
• Don’t overdo it. Around 2-3 well-chosen hashtags per post/comment is ideal, too many can seem spammy.
• Use popular job listings hashtags like #Hiring regularly to uncover new openings.
• Follow companies and thought leaders in your field who frequently use relevant industry hashtags.
• Consider creatively combining multiple hashtags, e.g. #Chicago #JavaDeveloper.
• Test out different hashtags and monitor which terms yield the best engagement and reach.

Most Popular Job Hunting Hashtags

Here is a table summarizing some of the most popular and effective hashtags commonly used in LinkedIn job searches:

Should You Include Hashtags in Your LinkedIn Profile?

Using relevant hashtags in your LinkedIn profile itself can also be an effective approach when job searching. Here are some benefits of including hashtags in your profile:

• Showcase important skills, experience and interests throughout your profile.
• The “Open to Work” photo frame already includes the #OpenToWork hashtag, so complement this in your profile.
• Adding a few concise hashtags helps reinforce what you bring to the table.
• Hashtags boost search optimization for keywords recruiters may be looking for.
• Can highlight your professional brand by incorporating your niche, industry, or job title hashtags.

When adding hashtags to your profile, just be selective – 1-3 well-chosen hashtags in key sections like your summary and work experience descriptions are ideal. Avoid over-optimization by adding too many terms throughout your profile, which can seem excessive.

Some other tips for effectively using hashtags in your profile include placing them at the end of summary statements, before the special characters like parentheses, and using both niche and broader terms like industry and skill hashtags.

Conclusion

Making strategic use of relevant hashtags on LinkedIn is an impactful way to expand your visibility and connections when conducting a job search. By incorporating terms like #OpenToWork, your industry, skills, and locations throughout your profile and posts, you can get discovered by more recruiters and hiring managers looking for candidates like you.

Focus on quality over quantity with hashtags – a few thoughtful, targeted terms are more beneficial than overloading each post. Experiment to see which hashtags gain the most traction. Consistently using 1-2 primary hashtags like #OpenToWork and monitoring job listing hashtag threads will empower an effective hashtag strategy.

Hashtags are not the only technique that should be leveraged, but can serve as a valuable supporting element when combined with an optimized profile, expanded network and proactive outreach. However, their simplicity and discovery power do make them one of the most efficient tools for getting your LinkedIn profile viewed by people that matter in your job search.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hashtags should you use on a LinkedIn post?

Using 2-3 relevant hashtags per post is recommended. This ensures your content is discoverable without looking like spam. Include 1-2 primary hashtags (e.g. #OpenToWork) consistently.

What types of hashtags do recruiters search on LinkedIn?

Recruiters often search skills (#SocialMedia), job titles (#SoftwareEngineer), industries (#RealEstate), and locations (#Seattle) to find candidates. Following #Hiring and #Recruiting threads also uncovers opportunities.

Where should you include hashtags on LinkedIn?

Effective places for hashtags include your profile summary, work experience descriptions, posts, and comments. You can also include them organically in messages to connections.

Can you overdo it with LinkedIn profile hashtags?

It’s possible to go overboard. Limit hashtags in your profile to 3-5 very relevant terms sprinkled judiciously in key sections. Avoid letting them dominate or detract from profile content.

Do irrelevant hashtags on LinkedIn actually reduce reach?

Yes, using niche or unrelated hashtags may actually limit the visibility of your posts in some cases. Always ensure hashtags directly relate to your content and professional focus.

More LinkedIn Job Search Tips

Here are some additional tips for maximizing your LinkedIn job search:

• Craft an eye-catching, keyword-rich headline like “Digital Marketing Specialist | Open to New Opportunities”
• Expand your connections by sending personalized invites
• Join relevant industry and career-oriented LinkedIn Groups
• Follow target companies to see job postings and news
• Search Jobs and interact with listings to signal interest to recruiters
• Research hiring managers to send customized InMail messages
• Publish and share engaging content focused on your niche
• Consider advertising open roles or promoting yourself as a candidate
• Give and receive recommendations to build social proof

Combining recurring primary hashtags like #OpenToWork with these other job seeking best practices on LinkedIn will help you maximize your visibility and land more interviews.