I was working with Tim, a 57-year-old career counseling client, and we were creating his LinkedIn profile. He was surprised when I mentioned that you could turn on a feature that would allow recruiters to find you and know that you are open to new job opportunities. I just assumed that he was only one of a few who might not know how to do this feature yet three days later I had another Baby Boomer client doing her LinkedIn Profile creation, and that client was also surprised that LinkedIn had this feature. Although it’s not a brand-new feature, you don’t want to miss out on having this tool turned on.
If you are open to a new job, you are going to want to use this so recruiters can find you. It’s a signal that goes out only to recruiters, so you don’t have to worry about your boss or any employees from your company finding out that you’re looking for a job. This is great because, for some of you, it’s risky to state on LinkedIn (like in the About summary section) that you’re looking for a job. Think about what might happen if your boss goes to your Profile and sees you advertising yourself to other employers. That could be a very uncomfortable conversation. This LinkedIn feature “hides” your signal from your current employer. That’s why this feature is a great one to use. It works behind the scenes.
According to LinkedIn, 94% of recruiters search LinkedIn for job candidates. 94%. They know that most of the talented applicants are already working. They want to find you, and by using this feature, you will enable recruiters to locate you more easily.
Turn On Your Notice to Recruiters
To let recruiters know you are ready for new opportunities, you must turn “On” your signal. First, you need a LinkedIn account and a well-written profile. You should be sure to complete all the necessary information. (For more details on how to develop your Profile, you can read my Forbes series on LinkedIn Creation found at Forbes).
To start, click the “Jobs” tab on the toolbar. When the “Jobs” window opens, select “Preferences” at the top of the page. When the window opens, you will see a slide button. Simply tap the button to move it to the “On” position and fill out the short questions about your new job preferences. For example, you can list five job titles. Pick the accurate title that you are currently seeking. For my client who has been a Sales Rep, we listed Sales Manager, and Software Sales Manager and also Technology Sales Manager as all three are appropriate job titles for where he wants to go.
Source - Read More at: www.forbes.com
