8 LinkedIn Job Search Steps Most People Skip (And How to Win)

I came across a great post on LinkedIn recently about how to use, you guessed it, LinkedIn. Wait! Don’t click away. This actually was a really good post with superb advice for job seekers who want to stand out from others who are searching for the same kinds of jobs.

Justin Shuman, chief commercial officer of HealtheMed, gets full credit. As you work through his eight nuts-and-bolts tips, understand that most people use LinkedIn like a basic digital resume. They put up a profile, apply to a few jobs, and hope for the best. That is why most job searches take months. If you want a real advantage early in your career, you need to use the platform like a search engine instead.

Here are eight practical steps almost nobody takes, but will give you a huge leg up over everyone else:

1. Clean up your photo

Scrap the nature backdrop, wedding crop, or casual vacation shot. Get a simple, plain background with good lighting where your face is clear. People make quick decisions, so look ready for work.

2. Mine job posts for keywords

Find 10 to 15 job postings for the exact role you want. Read through them and list the top 5 to 10 skill words that repeat the most. These are the exact search terms recruiters use to find candidates.

3. Find your blueprint profiles

Look up a dozen people who already work in your target job and have detailed profiles. Study how they describe their daily tasks and career growth. Use their pages as a clear roadmap for your own profile.

4. Rewrite your profile with data

Take the keywords and ideas you just found and put them into your “About” section and work entries. Make as much quantifiable as possible by adding numbers, percentages, or concrete project outcomes.

5. Get your skills endorsed

Go to your “Skills” section, add those top 5 to 10 keywords, and ask former coworkers or classmates to endorse them. Higher endorsements help your profile rank closer to the top in search results.

6. Signal target companies directly

Search for companies you want to work for and click on their “About” tab. Select the “I’m Interested” button. This quietly sends your profile straight to their HR recruiters so they know you are open to opportunities.

7. Target future bosses

Use the advanced search tool to find people who could be your manager or department head. Click “Follow,” turn on notifications by clicking the bell icon on their profile, and leave thoughtful comments when they post.

8. Post content regularly

Write posts 1 to 3 times a week. Make sure at least one post directly touches on the industry topics and keywords you used on your profile. It proves you understand the industry before you even step into an interview.