It's natural to assume that the job search begins when you apply for a job. It all begins somewhere else for recruiters: LinkedIn. Recruiters go to LinkedIn to look for skilled, experienced and qualified professionals for a specific position. In some instances, they might end up selecting someone who has never even sought the position.
This is the reason why that your LinkedIn profile can benefit you even if you're not looking for a job.
So, What Exactly do Recruiters do on Linkedin to Find Qualified Candidates?
1. They Search For Specific Skills and Keywords
Recruiters don't just pick up their phones and start dialing random numbers. They look for certain keywords associated with the job they are seeking.
For instance, in a scenario where a company requires an SEO specialist a recruiter may look for the following keywords:
- SEO
- Technical SEO
- Keyword research
- On-page SEO
- Google Search Console
- SEO content strategy
Even if you do have those skills, if they aren't listed anywhere on your profile you may not show up in the recruiter's search results.
That's why it's important to choose the words you use in your LinkedIn profile. Consider the kind of career you're looking for and the skills and words you think the companies would look for. Then, of course, add the relevant words to your headline, About, experience and skills.
2. Your LinkedIn Headline Helps Recruiters Understand What You Do
Your headline is a prime element of your profile that recruiters will first notice when they view your profile in search results.
A headline like:
“Job Seeker | Open to Opportunities”
Does not provide a recruiter with much info.
Compare that with:
“SEO Specialist, Technical SEO, On Page SEO and Content Strategy”
The second line of text is the first thing that tells the reader what the person does and provides keywords for those who are searching. Don't list all of your skills in your headline. Keep it to your main professional identity and what kinds of opportunities you're looking for.
They ask questions about your work experience. When a recruiter comes across your profile, they typically will review your experience to see if your background fits the job.
Here's where many profiles begin to fall behind. Just stating the job title is not sufficient.
Instead of:
Digital Marketer
you might have told what you actually did:
- Optimised website content with SEO techniques.
- Performed keyword research and competitor analysis.
- Tuned website pages for search engines.
- Tracked organic traffic and keywords.
Detailed duties and accomplishments help recruiters gain a better understanding of your skills. Include measurable results, if available. You can make your life easier to evaluate using numbers.
3. They check for your skill.
Add your professional skills to your LinkedIn profile, and recruiters will look for these skills when they're searching for candidates.
For instance, a recruiter hiring a project manager could be seeking individuals with project management, Agile, stakeholder management, and Microsoft Project skills. Be sure your skills accurately reflect your real experience. You don't want to include all of the skills you've ever run into, you want a short list of relevant skills.
4. They Read Your About Section
The About section provides recruiters more context about you. It shouldn't simply repeat your CV. To clarify who you are, what you do, the industry or industries you're familiar with, and the kind of job you are seeking.
For example:
"I create and execute SEO content, technical optimization and content strategy for businesses to increase their presence on the internet and leverage their website to generate qualified organic traffic and opportunities for business."
There's no restriction. It can be more lengthy but it should provide your recruiter with an understanding of your professional value even before he/she gets to your experience section.
5. They Look Out for Evidence of Your Work
A Recruiter is not always willing to believe your profile. They may wish to see what you are able to do.
That's where LinkedIn's Featured section can come in handy.
It can be displayed in the following ways:
- Portfolio projects
- Articles you've written
- Case studies
- Certifications
- Presentations
- Websites you have contributed to.
- Professional achievements
This can be especially helpful for someone who has not a lot of experience in the workforce. Even if you have not been formally involved with that work, a strong project can showcase your ability.
6. They Check Your Activities
What you post, comment on or share may also be viewed by the recruiter.
It is not necessary to post daily or to be a LinkedIn Influencer but your post should reflect what you do and your core values. If your profile states you're an SEO Specialist, and you've been posting about SEO, content marketing and search trends recently, this provides the recruiters with more context regarding your expertise. You can also help make your profile more up-to-date and trustworthy by being a professional.
7. They Check for Your Location and Availability
With today's increasing remote-working culture, location still plays an important role in many positions. Recruiters are able to search by city, country/region. They might also consider flexibility with location and work, such as remote, hybrid or on-site work.
If you are searching for jobs, ensure that your location and job preferences are correct. This can help make it simpler for recruiters to understand if you're a practical match.
8. They May Contact Candidates Who Didn't Apply
This is one of the biggest reasons to take LinkedIn seriously. Recruiters do not always actively seek out job applicants. They might be looking for you in a search, check your background and message you if they think you could be.
This basically means that you might be a target in a recruiter's talent hunt without even realizing it. However, this will only help you if you clearly convey what you do in your profile.
In summary, LinkedIn isn't just a platform for posting content online. It's an online CV and a searchable database of professionals. If your profile clearly explains what you do, the skills you have, and the results you have achieved, you're more likely to appear in relevant searches and give recruiters a reason to contact you. If you're currently searching for a job, don't focus on submitting CVs alone. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is doing some of the work too.
And if you're looking for more opportunities, ExpertWoka can help you take the next step by connecting you with curated job opportunities, career resources, professional profiles, and tools designed to support your job search.
