LinkedIn To-Do List for a Job Seeker

With 40% of its 740 million members accessing LinkedIn every day, many consider it the premier social media platform for job seekers. While that is unquestionably the case, the fact that the average user only spends 17 minutes a month on the website means that a job seeker needs to be uniquely targeted in their activity. Their LinkedIn to-do list will dictate their success.

You cannot hope to miraculously pop up in your hiring manager’s feed when they jump on to accept a few more connection requests. 87% of recruiters use the LinkedIn search function for sourcing, but again they will be looking with a targeted approach.

A job seeker’s LinkedIn to-do list needs to focus on improving their chances of being found. 

Optimising their LinkedIn profile is a critical first step before job seekers get involved in any regular LinkedIn activity. It is so much more than simply an online resume. That will be covered in a different blog, so assuming that you already have a compelling profile, here is a simple to-do list that you should commit to every day during your job search:

What’s on the LinkedIn To-Do List?

Share updates a couple of times a week. Just because potential employers might not see your updates, it may well be that someone in your network might be in a position to refer you for a role. Sharing updates (not only job-seeking ones) will make you remain visible. They should add value to your industry network – avoid inane surveys.

Remain active on the newsfeed. Liking and sharing a couple of updates from potential employers or recruiters is an easy way to bump yourself onto their radar. This item on your LinkedIn to-do list ensures that your content gets a little more visibility from the algorithm. If you see people who need help, don’t hesitate. The unwritten law of social media reciprocity is real

Add potential employer connections. Adding connections who work at potential employers or extra recruitment contacts is an excellent way of expanding your network. Maybe (just maybe) you may connect with someone who has an open position. Always send a tailored message with your request – let them know that you are looking.

Set up job alerts and search open positions. LinkedIn has many attributes of a job board. It is easy to search for available roles, set up job alerts, and do a wealth of research on both companies and future bosses. Try to automate as much of this as you can on your to-do list – it is easy to waste time if there is nothing new out there.

Browse your list of industry hashtags. Hashtags are easily indexed on LinkedIn, and you can be sure that many employers will be active on LinkedIn with their employer branding efforts. Save the hashtags they use and browse them when you have a moment to catch up on the latest content. Engage with industry hashtags wherever possible.

Most importantly….

Reach out to people and ask for help. Asking for help on LinkedIn is one of the best things you can do as a job seeker. The community is genuinely open to helping one another. The people you ask may likely have been assisted by someone else previously. You won’t get it if you don’t ask, so don’t be shy. Doors will open for you.

You do not have to do all these activities in one go. The LinkedIn mobile app is incredibly convenient. Get a couple of these ticked off during a spare five minutes in the kitchen, waiting to pick up the kids or maybe even as a break between meatier job search activities. 

Little and often is the best mantra – LinkedIn is your trusted job search companion.

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This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists. 

Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).