Job hunting is hard. But what if there were a few easy things you could do to make it easier, and even have recruiters reaching out to you instead? That’s what this guide is all about.
Hi, my name is Sakura. I’ve worked as a recruiter at top companies like Google Japan, and I’ve also been a job seeker myself. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to set up your LinkedIn profile so recruiters come to you, not the other way around.
1. Understand the Mind of a Recruiter
Before we jump into what to do, you need to think like a recruiter.
Recruiters use a tool called LinkedIn Recruiter. It allows them to filter through thousands of profiles using keywords, job titles, past companies, years of experience, languages, and more.
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So if your profile doesn’t match what they’re searching for, you won’t show up. It’s that simple. But don’t worry, I’ll show you how to fix that.
2. Make Your Profile Clickable
Your profile needs to catch attention. Here’s how:
- Add a photo: A clear, professional headshot. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just real.
- Use a clear job title: Instead of something broad like “Sales Professional,” write “Business Development Representative (BDR)” or “Enterprise Account Executive – Cloud Services.” Use the job title you’re aiming for (only if it matches your real experience).
- Write a short summary: Highlight your top skills, tools you’ve used, and key responsibilities. Use keywords from the jobs you want.
- Include your work history: Use bullet points to list what you did at each job. Keep it simple and clear.
- List your education: Optional, but helpful.
- Use the “Open to Work” feature: Recruiters can filter by this, so it increases your chances of getting noticed.
3. Make Your Profile Connected
The more connected you are, the higher you rank in recruiter searches. LinkedIn pushes people with mutual or close connections to the top of the list.
Here’s what to do:
- Add your coworkers and ex-coworkers. Start with people you’ve worked with directly.
- Add people at companies you want to work at. This helps you show up in their network.
- Engage with posts: Comment on job updates, share useful articles, or respond to relevant posts in your field.
It’s not about adding everyone. Be strategic. Focus on the people and companies that matter to your goals.
4. Make Your Profile Credible
Anyone can say anything on LinkedIn. So how do you show that you’re real and professional?
Start with these two easy steps:
- Grow your network: Profiles with more connections look more legit. Aim for 500+ if you can, but start with people you already know.
- Ask for recommendations: Get a past manager, team lead, or senior colleague to write something about you. Not your best friend, not your peer. Someone who worked with you directly and can speak to your skills.
Recommendations build trust and give recruiters extra confidence to reach out.
5. Want to Go the Extra Mile? Stand Out
Once you’ve done the basics, here are a few extra touches that can really help you shine:
- Add your language skills: If you’re bilingual or multilingual, highlight it.
- Include a short personal note in your summary: What drives you? What kind of work culture or mission matters to you?
This gives recruiters a feel for who you are — not just what you’ve done.
My Special Advice to you
Getting recruiters to message you on LinkedIn isn’t about tricks. It’s about doing the basics well:
- Make your profile clickable with a clear photo, title, and summary.
- Build real connections to boost your visibility in search.
- Add credibility through recommendations and a solid network.
If you’ve been laid off or you’re currently job hunting, I know it’s not easy. But trust me, these simple steps can change the game for you. Recruiters are out there looking. Make it easy for them to find you.
Here is a video guide on how to do everything in this article,
— Sakura (from Tokyo)