Learn how to Get Recruiters to Contact You on LinkedIn

A search-optimized LinkedIn profile can entice your subsequent job out of the blue. One in all my purchasers has landed his final two jobs by recruiters discovering his profile. On this submit I’ll share confirmed strategies–some well-known, and a few stunning–to get recruiters to contact you on LinkedIn.

Not the entire ensuing recruiter messages will probably be about appropriate alternatives–life insurance coverage gross sales, anybody?–however all of them have worth, as I’ll clarify beneath.

First, let’s have a look at the way to make your profile right into a recruiter magnet.

Embody loads of efficient key phrases.

As you could know, when recruiters search LinkedIn–both by way of the specialised LinkedIn Recruiter app, or by LinkedIn’s primary search–they search for sure phrases associated to the position they’re trying to fill. For instance, a communications supervisor’s profile will normally embody a number of mentions of “media,” “internet,” “writing” and so forth.

There are numerous methods to determine the key phrases you might want to embody all through your profile. You would ask an AI device similar to ChatGPT to determine the key phrases in a number of typical job postings you’ve pasted into your question. After I tried it, ChatGPT (primary model) did a reasonably good job, however included a few key phrases that didn’t precisely seem within the posting. If I did it once more, I’d inform it that the key phrases have to be written precisely as they appeared.

Or use my “guide” technique:

1. Discover a number of job postings which can be very typical of the job you need.
2. Spotlight the abilities and {qualifications} that appear most important. Clues: The important thing abilities are sometimes talked about extra usually, could seem close to the highest of the posting, and should seem in a number of postings.
3. Make a listing of the phrases you highlighted.
4. Add to your listing the job titles you’re inquisitive about, as a result of these are a number of the most essential key phrases. (“However I’ve by no means held that title,” you could say, “so how can I embody it in my profile?” Maintain studying, particularly the “Bonus Tip” beneath!)
5. When you’re at it, add the verbs most frequently used within the postings, as nicely.
6. Prioritize the listing, utilizing the standards from step 2 above, plus your individual judgment.

Nevertheless you go about creating your key phrases listing, work these phrases into your profile, particularly within the following sections: Skilled Headline (the road proper below your picture), About, Expertise and Abilities. (When you’re at it, embody them in your resume and canopy letters, too. Each of these paperwork are seemingly for use in employers’ applicant monitoring techniques, the place key phrase optimization can enhance your possibilities of getting an interview.)

***Bonus Tip***  Some of the efficient locations for key phrases on LinkedIn is the “Title” discipline of the roles within the Expertise part of your profile. Though it’s essential to incorporate your correct title, that’s not all you’ll be able to embody in that house. Learn my submit Can you modify your title in your resume?

At all times present a present “job.”

Why did I put “job” in quotes? As a result of even in the event you’re unemployed, there are methods to actually and ethically embody a keyword-rich, efficient “present place” entry that goes proper up “to current,” with out claiming that you just’re at the moment employed.

This is essential, as a result of usually recruiters seek for professionals who’re at the moment ready much like the one they’re trying to fill. Dealing with this a part of the profile strategically will assist get it in entrance of recruiters. They are going to then see that you just’re not employed–and never even claiming to be–but when all the things else seems to be good, you’ve nonetheless bought an opportunity of being interviewed. Learn my submit, Learn how to Replace Your LinkedIn Profile When You’re Unemployed.

Have an entire profile.

Profiles that LinkedIn considers “full” get extra views. To attain “full” standing, LinkedIn recommends you do the entire following:

1. Add a profile picture.
2. Checklist all the roles or positions you’ve held, together with descriptions of your roles.
3. Checklist 5 or extra abilities in your profile. (Get higher search rankings by together with 50-100. There’s no motive to not. Embody each laborious and mushy abilities.)
4. Don’t skip the “About” part. One of the best “About” summaries are conversational however skilled, written in first individual (“I”), and keyword-rich. Be partaking. For instance, you may describe what you like most about your work. You’ll be able to even embody a little bit of humor.
5. Fill out the “Intro” part (the highest part the place your picture seems) fully, together with trade, location and postal code.
6. Fill out “Schooling” even in the event you didn’t full your faculty diploma.
7. Have 50 or extra connections.

Discover that the primary merchandise on LinkedIn’s completion listing was “Add a profile picture.” LinkedIn states that “simply having an image makes your profile 14 instances extra more likely to be seen by others.” It additionally makes a vital first impression, so select the fitting picture. Don’t fear, LinkedIn isn’t a magnificence contest. The primary factor is to look approachable {and professional}, with further factors for trying wholesome and full of life.

Be nicely linked.

Whereas “50 or extra” connections could also be sufficient to qualify your profile as full, having extra will make your profile extra findable. What’s variety of connections? I’ve recommendation on that, too.

Get suggestions.

Not solely do suggestions increase your search rankings, they’re compelling social proof of your abilities, together with these essential however hard-to-prove mushy abilities. Know the finest practices for acquiring and capitalizing on suggestions.

Once you do hear from recruiters, reply politely, even when the place is method off-base, and join with them on LinkedIn. If you understand another person who is perhaps inquisitive about their opening, see in the event you can introduce them. A technique or one other, responding to those contacts will increase your odds of listening to from them about future alternatives which may be proper up your alley. Not solely is it good manners, it’s good networking, which as you understand is a significant a part of getting an excellent job sooner!  (This submit has been up to date in 2025.)