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Let’s be real—breaking through the LinkedIn algorithm can feel frustrating, but here’s the deal: you’ve got to “feed the beast” to get noticed, and actively engaging and show up in the platform is the best way to do it. It might feel a bit contrived or uncomfortable at first, but LinkedIn isn’t the full picture of who you are—it’s a tool. Think of it as your professional persona, designed to highlight your strengths and aspirations. With this playbook, we’ll show you how to strategically boost your profile so that the right people see the best version of you and open doors to the opportunities you deserve.
Spend 10 minutes reviewing your LinkedIn profile, focusing on above the fold – your headline, photo, About You, and recent posts. Ask yourself: Does this content reflect the professional persona I want to highlight? Could someone easily understand what I do and how I do it?
Think about the job you want and the skills it requires—both technical and soft skills. Dig through job postings for a few roles you’d love; what words do you see repeated across various postings?
We’re glad that you’re not only cold-applying to roles. Using a variety of application strategies, like getting referred by a former colleague or attending a job fair, can help you break through.
Cold-applying for roles is one of many ways that you can land your next gig, but it should never be your only strategy. You can also try:
Staying focused on the roles that are really aligned to your skills and ambitions is a great way to make sure that you’re not wasting your efforts on activities with little to no return. Stay focused here!
We get it: the job hunt can be exhausting and it can be tempting to start mass applying to roles. Unfortunately, doing so will likely only make your situation more frustrating: the more times you are declined for a role, it will inevitably make you feel even more burnt out and discouraged.
Instead, focus your energy on the roles that are truly interesting to you and make sure your application is as strong as it can be. Always consider tailoring your resume for the role and add a strong cover letter to help you stand out.
Whether you’re sending a thank you note or checking in after a few days of no response, it’s smart to be proactive and reach out to hiring managers and recruiters to keep your name in sight and in mind. Keep it up!
There are few things more impactful than a great thank you note after an interview. Be sure to always send one to folks you interview with, and be specific as to why you enjoyed the conversation. If they don’t get back to you with next steps by the expected date, reach out directly to check in.
We’re glad that you’re not reinventing the wheel when writing cover letters. While it’s always smart to repurpose some of your cover letter, remember to customize a few details to help align your letter to the role you’re applying for.
Great cover letters can be really impactful, but they can also take a lot of time. We recommend having a “default” cover letter that outlines who you are, what you’ve done, and where you want to go next. From there, you can make small tweaks to the cover letter based on what role you’re applying for.
Staying connected with your current network is a great way to learn about new opportunities that you may not have found on your own. As you’re connecting with folks, remember to be open about the fact that you’re looking for a new opportunity and you’d appreciate any connections or introduction they can offer.
Your network is probably one of your most underutilized resources. The more people you connect with, the more people can advocate for you and connect you to new opportunities.
Your friends and family can be some of your most trusted advocates. Keep sharing with them to help keep your job search on track and aligned to the things that make you, you.
Your friends and family are likely some of your biggest supporters. Even if you’ve never talked to them about your professional ambitions before, it’s never too late to share what you’re interested in and the types of roles you’re looking for. You’ll be surprised by how much insight, support, and ideas they’ll have to help.
Feeling confident reaching out to new folks is a great advantage on the quest of landing an interview. When you’re reaching out, be sure to include a specific reason why you’re interested in connecting.
We get it: reaching out to new connections on LinkedIn can be intimidating.
If you’re mostly afraid of rejection (aka: not hearing back from someone or being told no to a meeting), don’t let that deter you. Hearing “No” is part of the process of landing a job, but the key is to let others tell you no vs. telling yourself no before you even try.
If you’re unsure what to say: remember that specificity is key. Include details about why you’re reaching out to this individual in particular and avoid generic reasons for connecting.
It can be intimidating putting yourself out there on LinkedIn. Here are some quick scripts you can say to yourself, and to others, to move through the discomfort and get the most out of the platform.
Important Reminder: These scripts are here to guide you, but what truly matters is showing up as you. Copy-pasting won’t cut it—what makes you stand out is your personality, your voice, and what makes you unique. Use these as a foundation, but let your authentic tone shine through. People connect with people, not just words. Being genuine is what will make others love your approach and connect you with opportunities where your strengths and passions truly shine.
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