How to Save Time and Find the Right Job on LinkedIn
Discover a time-saving LinkedIn search hack to find perfectly matched jobs instantly. Learn advanced strategies to streamline your job hunt and boost your success rate.
Are you tired of endlessly scrolling through irrelevant job postings on LinkedIn, feeling like you're searching for a needle in a haystack? You're not alone!
In fact, you might be among the 99% of job seekers who unknowingly do not use LinkedIn's search function quite right.
But don't worry – I am about to let you in on a game-changing 'secret' that could revolutionize your job hunt.
Remember, this simple method works for every job title out there! It will help you to find the exact position you want in seconds, cutting through the noise and zeroing in on your dream job. Does it sound too good to be true?
The Problem: Casting a Wide Net in a Tiny Pond
Picture this: you're a talented professional looking for a position as a Recruiting Manager. Excited about the possibilities, you hop onto LinkedIn, type 'Recruiting Manager' into the job search bar, and hit enter.
What happens next? You're suddenly drowning in a sea of results, many of which aren't quite what you're looking for.
This scenario is all too common, and it's like casting a wide net in a tiny pond. Sure, you'll catch something, but is it what you really want?
Let's break down why this approach is problematic:
Irrelevant Results: Your search for 'Recruiting Manager' might turn up positions for Technical Recruiter, Lead Recruiter, or even Senior Talent Sourcer. While these roles might be in the same ballpark, they're not exactly what you're after.
Time Drain: Sifting through pages of job listings that don't quite fit the bill is a massive time sink. It's easy to spend hours scrolling, only to come away feeling frustrated and no closer to your goal.
Missed Opportunities: As you wade through irrelevant listings, fatigue sets in. It's entirely possible you might overlook the perfect position simply because it is buried among less suitable options.
Inaccurate Matches: LinkedIn's algorithm tries its best, but without the right guidance, it might prioritize roles that match only one part of your search term. For instance, you might see lots of 'Manager' positions that have nothing to do with recruiting or with any of the roles you are trying to get.
Overwhelming Options: When faced with too many choices, decision paralysis can set in. You might find yourself unable to decide which roles to apply for, or worse, give up the search altogether.
The problem isn't you - it's how you're searching!
This scatter-gun approach to job searching is not just inefficient – it's also demoralizing. It can make you feel like the right job isn't out there, or that your skills don't align with what employers are seeking.
So, what's the solution? How can you cut through the noise and find exactly what you're looking for? The answer is simpler than you might think, and it's hiding in plain sight on your keyboard.
The Solution: The Power of Quotation Marks
Now that we've identified the problem, let's unveil the elegantly simple solution that's been hiding in plain sight: quotation marks.
Yes, those humble quotation marks (" ") you probably use every day are about to become your secret weapon in the job search arena.
I am not talking about single quotes (' ') but of double quotes (" ")!
How It Works
The magic lies in how LinkedIn's search algorithm interprets quotation marks. When you enclose your search term in quotes, you're essentially telling LinkedIn, "Find this exact phrase, in this exact order."
It's like giving the search engine a pair of laser-focused glasses, allowing it to see precisely what you're looking for. This technique is known as Boolean operators, and here's how you can uncover job opportunities using Boolean Search.
Let's break it down:
Without Quotes: Searching for Recruiting Manager
LinkedIn looks for pages containing these words, but not necessarily together or in this order.
Result: A wide array of loosely related positions.
With Quotes: Searching for "Recruiting Manager"
LinkedIn searches for this exact phrase.
Result: Positions specifically titled "Recruiting Manager".
Real-World Example
Let's put this into practice. Suppose you're looking for a Senior Recruiting Manager position:
Without quotes: Senior Recruiting Manager
Results might include: Junior Recruiting Coordinator, Senior Sales Manager, Technical Recruiter
With quotes: "Senior Recruiting Manager"
Results: Positions specifically titled "Senior Recruiting Manager"
The difference is clear. With quotation marks, you're no longer casting a wide net – you're using a precise, targeted approach that yields relevant results.
Boolean search isn't just for LinkedIn; you can also use it on Google to find jobs that offer visa sponsorships.
Advanced Techniques: Refining Your Search
Now that you've mastered the art of using quotation marks in your LinkedIn job search, it's time to take things to the next level. By combining this technique with LinkedIn's built-in filters and some creative thinking, you can fine-tune your search to pinpoint exactly the opportunities you're looking for.
Leveraging LinkedIn's Filters
LinkedIn offers a variety of filters to help you narrow down your search results. Here's how to make the most of them:
Date Posted: For the freshest opportunities, filter for jobs posted in the last 24 hours or week.
Experience Level: Whether you're entry-level or a seasoned professional, use this filter to find roles that match your experience.
Salary: Filter jobs based on salary. This filter might not be available everywhere.
Company: If you have dream companies in mind, use this filter to see if they have relevant openings.
Remote: Whether you're looking for remote work or a position in a specific city, this filters on-site, hybrid or remote roles.
Easy Apply: This filter helps you find all jobs that offer the Easy Apply plugin, which allows job seekers to easily send out applications without leaving LinkedIn.
Remember to review All Filters, where you'll discover these two specific filters:
Under 10 applicants filter
In your network filter
Combining Quotation Marks with Advanced Search Techniques
Now, let's combine our quotation mark trick with these filters and some additional techniques:
Get More Specific:
Instead of just "Recruiting Manager", try "Senior Recruiting Manager" or "Technical Recruiting Manager"
This narrows your search to more senior or specialized roles
Use Boolean Operators:
AND: "Recruiter" AND "Finance"
You can also try: "Recruiter" AND Finance
This search targets keywords found in the job title.
OR: "Recruiting Manager" OR "Senior Recruiter"
This will help you target two roles in one search!
NOT: "Recruiter" NOT "Entry Level"
This will remove the phrase entry level that is in the job title from the results.
So there is a difference between
"Recruiter" NOT "Entry Level"
"Recruiter"
The second search will identify all Recruiter positions, including those with Entry Level titles like Entry Level Recruiter.
Explore Related Titles:
Don't limit yourself to one exact title. Try variations like: "Recruiting Manager" OR "Recruitment Manager" OR "Manager of Recruiting"
Putting It All Together: A Step-by-Step Example
Let's walk through a comprehensive search for a senior recruiting role in the tech industry:
In the search bar, enter: "Senior Recruiting Manager" OR "Senior Talent Acquisition Manager"
Apply filters:
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
Industries: Information Technology & Services, Computer Software
Job Type: Full-time
Date Posted: Past month
Scan the results and refine them as needed.
By following these steps, you're not just searching – you're strategically hunting for the perfect role that aligns with your career aspirations.
Remember, the key is to be flexible and iterative in your approach. If you're not getting the results you want, try adjusting your search terms or filters. With practice, you'll become adept at crafting searches that yield the most relevant and exciting opportunities.
Two Overlooked Places to Search for a Job
When it comes to job searching, many people turn to well-known platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, or other well-known career sites. However, there are other valuable resources that often go unnoticed.
Here, we explore two such platforms: