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10 LinkedIn Post Ideas For Job Seekers

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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.

10 LinkedIn Post Ideas For Job Seekers

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?

LinkedIn post prompt

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.”

LinkedIn''s 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.A 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 aA 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:

  1. Navigate to the profile of the LinkedIn member you''d like to recognize.
  2. Click the More button in their introduction section.
  3. Select  Give Kudos from the dropdown.
  4. In the Select kudos award pop-up window, select a kudos award from the options provided.
  5. 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 you''ve done all the other things listed above, you''ve 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 withA 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?

Activity on LinkedIn

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.

LinkedIn top vs recent posts

INFOGRAPHIC

10 LInkedIn post ideas for job seekers
10 LinkedIn Post Ideas For Job Seekers

Related Posts: 25 Inspiring Ideas Anyone Can Post on LinkedIn

The post 10 LinkedIn Post Ideas For Job Seekers appeared first on Career Sherpa.

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10 Little Things That Make A Big Difference To Hiring Managers
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10 Little Things That Make A Big Difference To Hiring Managers

As a former hiring manager in several consulting firms, I often wondered if candidates were cognizant of the impression they made on employers. Even small things, such as the frown displayed by an applicant upon arriving at an interview, or the worn-out jeans of an applicant in a roomful of suits, gave me pause as I worked to screen candidates.

Ironically, many of the problems I spotted could have easily been fixed by taking care of seemingly minor issues. In some cases, these corrections would have made the difference between hiring the job candidate and taking a pass on the applicant!

Here are 10 “little” things that make a big difference to hiring managers in the interview process:

1. Your Digital Identity

Man on laptop fixes his social media accounts while looking for a job

Yes, recruiters and hiring managers will be checking out your LinkedIn presence and verifying that your Facebook and Instagram activity is not violating their corporate policies. But have you stopped to think about your tweets or the content you’re creating on TikTok?

Even the most realistic employer will need to assess your liability as a potential new hire. Therefore, your online activity must be sufficiently toned down and presentable to a potential company—long before you enter the job market.

If you’ve kept up a website on your middle-of-the-night gaming habit or constantly tweet your distaste for political candidates, these items can offend hiring managers—and cause them to rethink bringing you in for an interview.

2. Your Honesty

Woman shakes hands with the hiring manager before a job interview

Struggling to hide employment gaps in your work history on your resume? Failing to mention that new job you just took (that isn’t working out)? White lies or sins of omission on your resume and in your interviews will come back to haunt you in more than one way.

If interviewers don’t catch lies during the resume screening process, there’s still a chance that your background check will reveal all. Even after you’re hired, your record of impeccable service won’t make up for less-than-forthright stories on your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Stories abound of high-profile executives, entertainment professionals, and sports coaches who attended college but didn’t graduate—and who paid the price for fudging these resume details years down the road.

3. Your Accessibility

Hiring manager talks to a job applicant during a video call/virtual interview

Are you open enough on LinkedIn that others can contact you? Or did you forget to make your email address (and possibly mobile number) visible to other users? Here are best practices for ensuring you’re more easily reached on LinkedIn:

  • From the “Edit Profile” menu, look under the box with your name and headline for “Edit Contact Info.” Here, you can fill in your email address and phone number.
  • Joining groups is also an important step in becoming accessible to employers. Sharing a group with another user means he or she can reach out to you for free (important to recruiters maximizing their LinkedIn budgets).

4. Your Job Search Follow-Up

Happy woman on laptop writes a message to a hiring manager

Sent in a resume, but failed to take any action beyond pressing the “Send” button? If you didn’t spend some time following up or identifying company insiders for further networking, your job search will take longer.

Doing some homework on the employer’s business needs and identifying key people for personal follow-up (through LinkedIn or an online search) shows them you’re truly interested in a career opportunity, and that you’ve given thought to solving their business problems.

Be sure to use formal channels when applying for a posted job. Then, reach out to your newly found contacts to reiterate your interest in joining the company. Better still, connect and network with employees at the companies on your interview bucket list well before you start your job search. That way, you’ll already have connections at those companies when it comes time for you to apply for a job.

​5. The Tone Of Your Cover Letter Or LinkedIn Message

Hiring manager looks at a job candidate's resume during an interview

Cranking out LinkedIn messages or cover letters at top speed—with just a few adjustments here and there? Hiring managers can smell a “form letter” approach a mile away. Nothing says “I’m desperate and don’t care about your needs” more than a disjointed cover letter or a LinkedIn message that simply asks for a job.

No matter how you’re getting in touch with employers, take the time to write a brand-specific message of value to them—helping them discover who you are, what you offer, and why you’re interested in a position with their company. This means customizing each LinkedIn message and writing disruptive cover letters.

You may not be able to crank them out as fast, but you’ll be sacrificing quantity for quality. And, in the job search, quality is always better than quantity.

6. Your Demeanor When Arranging The Interview

Hiring manager interviews a job candidate

When setting up any kind of business meeting, there’s a certain amount of give and take required for coordination. No matter how in-demand your skills may be, you’ll be expected to acquiesce to interview timing and location parameters set by employers. That can mean dealing with less-than-helpful receptionists or HR personnel, all of whom will be taking notes on your reactions.

Your phone etiquette and email communications will be watched closely; a courteous and respectful tone will go miles in reinforcing your personal brand and potential as a job candidate.

7. Your Appraisal Of The Interviewer

Man feels uncomfortable during an interview with the hiring manager

Feeling put out by the fact that your interviewer appears younger, more inexperienced, or otherwise beneath you in the professional hierarchy? Be careful how you convey this disapproval. You may believe you’re hiding these feelings, but as one of those younger-looking interviewers, I often picked up on this tone very quickly!

Even if you decide mid-interview that you’re not interested in the company, remember to display a high degree of professionalism. You never know how well-connected your interviewer might be.

8. Your Discretion

Woman on laptop follows up with a hiring manager

Polarizing, hot-button subjects such as politics or religion should make their way out of your resume, LinkedIn profile, interview discussions, and side conversations.

No matter how neutral or popular you consider your stance to be on these topics, there’s bound to be someone who disagrees with you—and who votes against hiring you.

9. Your Post-Interview Actions

Man on laptop writes an email to a hiring manager

Yes, you should be sending a thank-you note to employers after your interviews! Whether a short, handwritten card, LinkedIn message, email, or even hard-copy letter, a thank-you note gives employers the impression that you’re a gracious and appreciative job candidate.

A post-interview note can also be used to address lingering questions, counter potential objections (“Regarding our discussion on your new Western region, I can assure you that I’m accustomed to handling accounts in person for maximum effect—and therefore open to travel”), or mention a fond memory you have of the experience (a conversation, for example) to highlight a connection you made with the individuals at the company.

Be sure to address your notes to each person you’ve encountered in the interview process (or at least mention their names in the note), especially if you’ve met with a panel or group.

10. The Frequency Of Your Messages

Just because social media lets you send messages faster than ever doesn’t mean you should pester employers. Following up once or twice after applying for a job should suffice to let them know you’re still interested in the position. The same is true of the post-interview period.

Hiring managers have companies to run and customers to serve in addition to the process of choosing you. They may also have other candidates to consider. Staying on an employer’s radar is important, but so is professional discretion. Aim for somewhere in between silent and stalker in your follow-up activities.

There are numerous ways employers can be put off by your job search practices or approach. Ensure you’re taking steps to satisfy their need for information and put your best professional foot forward.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

What Soft Skills Should A Student Have To Be Hired?
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What Soft Skills Should A Student Have To Be Hired?

In today’s competitive job market, academic qualifications alone are often not enough to secure a dream job. Employers increasingly seek candidates with strong soft skills to complement their technical expertise. Soft skills, also known as interpersonal or people skills, are the personal attributes that enable individuals to work effectively and harmoniously with others. They are […]

The post What Soft Skills Should A Student Have To Be Hired? appeared first on Jobacle.com.

3 Keys To A Successful Job Search
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3 Keys To A Successful Job Search

It can be very demanding looking for another job when your current one is constantly stressing you out. After all, when you get home from a long and frustrating day, the last thing you want to do is give any more thought to the world of work. Unfortunately, most new jobs don’t just fall into your lap—you have to go out and get them.

Approaching your job search as strategically and as systematically as you would approach your next business deal can help keep the process manageable. Here are three keys to a successful job search:

1. Initiation

If you were going to start a huge new project at work, would your first step be to just sit down and start the project? Of course not! A lot of planning and preparation go into any major project, and your job search should be no different. Therefore, the first step is NOT to sit down and start sending out dozens of generalized resumes to any job that sounds like a relatively good fit.

Your first task should be to determine exactly what you’re looking for in your next position. Just like you can’t write a project plan until you know what the project is, you simply cannot write an effective resume or cover letter without some idea of where you’d like your career to go. You may find this part of the process to be the most time-consuming, as it requires some soul-searching. However, it’s an essential step in the process that must not be skipped.

2. Planning

Man looks for a job

Once you’ve determined your professional goals, you’re ready to spend some time assembling your marketing tools—a cover letter, resume, and any other pertinent documents that support your message (like an optimized LinkedIn profile). This is essentially the same process as setting up a project at work; you need both plans and human resources for an effective job search.

It’s important to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job that you’re applying to. In order to have a powerful resume, you have to lead with results and quantifiable accomplishments. This process takes time, so plan your schedule accordingly.

3. Execution

Woman looks for a job

Only when you’ve established a goal and pulled together the tools needed to accomplish it should you actually start looking for and applying to jobs. Setting up email alerts through sites like Glassdoor.com or Indeed.com can save you hours of scouring through online job postings.

If you tackle your job search in a strategic and systematic manner, you should soon reach a place where you can go to your inbox, look through positions that may be a good fit for you, and then simply customize your polished resume for each application. Consider each quality job application you send off as a deliverable in the project of finding yourself another job. Whenever you successfully land your next position, you’ll be able to close out this project and move on to the next one!

The job search process can be incredibly frustrating and stressful, especially if you’re feeling lost, trapped, or burned out in your career. If you’re struggling to find a job that’s right for you, we can help.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

4 Red Flags Employers Watch For On Cover Letters
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4 Red Flags Employers Watch For On Cover Letters

4 Red Flags Employers Watch For On Cover Letters

Before getting into what should or shouldn’t be in your cover letter, let’s just get out of the way that a cover letter is a must. Why? Well, the answer is pretty simple.

The cover letter gives you the chance to express that you’re a professional and that you have the skills, expertise, and passion the employer is seeking in an ideal job candidate. When you don’t send a cover letter with your resume, it can be interpreted as you’re not that serious about the job—that it’s not even worth your time and effort to include a greeting that will put your information in context to the employer’s needs.

Writing a cover letter is particularly important if your resume raises red flags when reviewed on its own. Things like a lengthy period of unemployment, smaller job gaps, or no specialized training for a job that requires it needs some explaining to alleviate concern.

So, here’s what you need to be watchful of in your cover letter so that it works effectively with your resume.

1. You Didn’t Customize Your Cover Letter

Like the resume, your cover letter needs to be customized and speak directly to the employer’s needs. It shouldn’t simply say, “I’m interested in the job, and here’s my resume for review.” If you’re going to do that, then it’s the same as not sending a cover letter at all.

The best way to customize your cover letter is to go all in and write a disruptive cover. Speak of your knowledge in the business, what you know about that employer, why you’re passionate about their mission, products, or services, and how your experience and skills can help the employer reach their goals. Provide highlights from your resume and how you can apply what you learned in past positions to the job you’re looking to land at their organization.

Basically, if the employer can feel your excitement through the cover letter, and is impressed by the story you tell, you’ll be one of the first job candidates they contact to learn more.

2. You Left Important Questions Unanswered

Man on laptop writes a cover letter for a job opening

There are some things on your resume that may raise a red flag, and if they go unexplained, the hiring manager will not take a chance on you. They’ll just move on to the next candidate.

Consider things like periods of unemployment, lack of degree or certification, frequent job changes, or a change in career direction that may require more information. The point is not to over-explain, but to touch on the subject in short to offer a reason that will alleviate potential concerns. For example, you may have taken a year off from work to care for a newborn or sick parent. Tell that story in your disruptive cover letter.

Also, your disruptive cover letter should begin to answer some of the questions the employer will want to find out for sure if you come in for a job interview. Some of those questions include:

  • Can you save or make the company money?
  • Are you passionate about what we do?
  • Will you stay with the company long enough for us to see a return on investment from hiring you as an employee?
  • Do you want to grow as a professional at the company?
The sooner you can answer these questions for the employer, the easier it will be for you to move on in the hiring process. And it all starts with a great cover letter.

3. You Didn’t Proofread

Woman on laptop proofreads her cover letter

Your cover letter is a reflection of your professionalism. If it’s filled with misspellings or poor grammar, the employer will be left to believe you are careless—a direct reflection of how you may perform on the job.

Let’s be honest: If you really care about getting the job you’re applying for, you’ll proofread your cover letter and resume multiple times. If you don’t seem inclined to proofread all of your career materials before sending in your application, the job probably isn’t the right one for you.

Nevertheless, make sure you proofread your cover letter. When in doubt, have a trusted friend look it over too!

4. You Didn’t Follow Directions

Man on laptop follows directions while writing a cover letter

Many employers will leave specific directions in the job posting for applicants to follow. It can be as simple as including XYZ in the subject line when your email message is serving as the cover letter, including your salary requirement, or providing an answer to a question.

Since many employers get more applicants than they need, any applicant who fails to follow directions is an automatic strikeout.

While writing your cover letter, follow any directions the employer has on the job posting. The same goes for when you send it out. Even if your cover letter is amazing, not following the directions can hurt your chances of landing an interview!

Your cover letter is the best opportunity for you to stand out to employers early on in the hiring process, so take the time to write one that is polished and speaks directly to the employer’s needs. Whatever you do, avoid the red flags above!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.