You built an awesome LinkedIn profile, but no one is contacting you. What do you need to do to draw attention to your profile?
The secret is in sharing status updates that appeal to your network and potential employers. So should you post in your status updates on LinkedIn? Here are 10 ideas.
What Can You Do To Increase The Number of People Offering You Job Leads?
One of the best ways to stay top of mind and build a memorable reputation is by sharing on-brand news, stories and events.
You want to be remembered by contacts in your network and you want to stand out.
On-brand for a job seeker is NOT job search stuff. It is content related to your next desired occupation.
This is the most important thing you need to know:
LinkedIn reported that job seekers who updated their status update weekly were 10 times more likely to be contacted by recruiters.
Is Your Profile Really Awesome?
Before you lure people to your profile, review this checklist of 20 things to do to create an awesome LinkedIn profile.
What To Post To LinkedIn In Your Status Update?
People associate you with the content you share!
Don’t panic when you see the “start a post”
What Should You Post On LinkedIn
“informative, useful updates receive the highest engagement rates.”
LinkedInâs marketing strategy guide LinkedIn Best Practices Targeted Status Updates, which is written for businesses but is as close as we are going to get for job seekers These are the status updates LinkedIn users value most:
- 60% of members are interested in industry insights
- 53% are interested in company news
- 43% are interested in new products and services
This means that you should be sharing industry insights, company news and new products and services (in your field). But there are more options too!
The real magic happens when you consistently show up on LinkedIn so your connections remember who you are, what you do, and what’s important to you.
Below are 10 ideas on what you can post as a job seeker. Mix it up and alternate (and test) these status updates.
1. Industry Insights
Industry reports, predictions, changes in laws and other industry insights are important. But it’s hard to keep up.
As you are researching and meeting new people, you may discover valuable insights. If you don’t subscribe to industry publications and newsletters, now would be a great time to start.
2. News About Target Companies
People want to know what the competition is up to and usually monitor mentions about their own company.
If you aren’t already following companies of interest/target companies, you should start doing this now. By doing this, you will be able to see the news they share through their LinkedIn company status updates.
3. Job-Related Tips/Hacks
Well-written, good-quality status updates (or even an article) related to the work you do will help other professionals too.
You could write a post about time management, new tools or software, success stories or new trends.
Resharing someone’s tip post is another option. To find posts written by others, search LinkedIn using hashtags (#) or enter the keyword and filter by posts.
If you follow industry influencers, industry publications and newsletters, you can easily reshare articles they’ve discovered, written or mentioned.
4. Ask a Question
Asking a question in a post/status update is a way to engage your network. Avoid job search-related questions that may distract from your main branding message.
Instead, ask your connections for their opinions on certifications or new technology being used. Or you can ask your network to recommend professional associations, clubs or organizations they value. You may even choose to share an article and ask your network for their opinions on a topic mentioned within the article.
5. Images, Infographics, Videos
Create or re-share graphics, images, videos related to your industry/occupation. Including a visual (image, infographic, or video) in your post catches the reader’s attention. And visual content is also more likely to be shared.
You could share a photo from a professional event, a screenshot of work you recently completed, or if humor is more your style, a funny meme or cartoon once in a while lightens the tone and may help people understand you better.
Infographics are helpful eye-candy and make it easier to understand the information.
You don’t have to be on camera to share a video. Share an informative or educational video someone else has created like a TedX Talk.
Native video (video created directly on LinkedIn) is also a way to let your personality shine. That’s a deeper topic I will cover at another time.
6. Upcoming Events
Are you planning to attend a conference or workshop? Share the registration link and description of the event with your network- someone may want to attend too! You may also use your post to ask who else is going.
7. Random Actions of Kindness
Give kudos or a shout-out to someone you want to thank (show appreciation). You can mention a work milestone, recent accomplishment, or congratulate them for outstanding work. If/when you tag someone on LinkedIn, they receive a notification.
LinkedIn provides several different types of Kudos when you create a post.
To send Kudos from your desktop:
- Navigate to the profile of the LinkedIn member youâd like to recognize.
- Click the More button in their introduction section.
- Select Give Kudos from the dropdown.
- In the Select kudos award pop-up window, select a kudos award from the options provided.
- Share in a post (or as a private message)
8. Posts from Your Network
Review and take note of what your connections are sharing and talking about.
When you find a relevant, interesting post take the following actions (no, don’t just click “like”).
- Step 1. Comment on why you enjoyed the post.
- Step 2. Reshare it. Introduce the shared post by writing why you liked it and are resharing it. Be sure to tag (@name) the person who shared it to give them credit!
Learn more about how to comment on LinkedIn posts here.
9. Quotes/Inspirational Messages
You can share an on-brand quote or professional testimonial. Motivational quotes are uplifting and stir positive emotions. Either share as an image or just share the quote as text. Remember to always credit the source of the quote. And sharing a professional endorsement or testimonial of your work is highlighting both you and the person who wrote it!
10. Self-Promote
If youâve done all the other things listed above, youâve earned the right to talk about yourself.
Did you receive an award? Did you complete a course or degree? If you are proud of your accomplishment, share it as an update. You could even create a slidedeck with testimonials or recent projects in your profile and share it with your network.
Your Comments Are Visible To Everyone
Did you know when you comment on someone’s post your comment is viewable in the activity section of your profile?
This is a good thing, as long as your comments are positive, civil and/or helpful. Some call it a “freshness date.” It shows when you were last active on Linkedin.
When you comment on posts, not only are you engaging with the poster/author, you also can engage with the other people who are commenting. This is a wonderful way to network with like-minded thinkers!
Should You Post Your Resume As An Update?
Posting your resume or making general pleas for help doesn’t typically result in an outpouring of assistance from your professional network.
However, making a single announcement about your job search and specifically what you are looking for (types of jobs and industry) can catch the attention of your network.
How Often to Post?
If you are actively job searching, you should attempt to post regularly – at least 1 time per week and up to 5 times a week. Consistency is the name of the game.
According to Richard van der Blom’s 2024 analysis,
“You will reach on average between 11 and 16% of your connections, each post! I think you have other issues to worry about when it comes to posting on LinkedIn!”
Check Your Notifications
LinkedIn no longer displays work anniversaries and birthdays of your connections in your LinkedIn feed. But you may find other interesting posts or information you can share! Pay attention to your notifications.
Viewing Your Home Feed For Updates
Quick Tip: By default, your home feed is set to show the TOP (more popular) posts from your network. But if you want to see RECENT, you will see different posts from different people. Immediately below the Start A Post box, look for the “Sort by:” and click on the arrow/triangle to temporarily change between Top or Recent posts.
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Related Posts: 25 Inspiring Ideas Anyone Can Post on LinkedIn
The post 10 LinkedIn Post Ideas For Job Seekers appeared first on Career Sherpa.
