10 LinkedIn Status Updates For Job Seekers

You built an awesome LinkedIn profile, but no one is contacting you. What do you need to do to draw attention to your profile?

The secret is in sharing status updates that appeal to your network and potential employers. So what kind of status updates should you post on LinkedIn?

Is Your Profile Really Awesome?

Just in case, you may want to see this checklist of 20 things to do to create an awesome LinkedIn profile.

What Can You Do To Increase Job Leads?

You want to be remembered by contacts in your network and you want to stand out.

One of the best ways to stay top of mind and build a memorable reputation is by sharing on-brand news, stories and events. On-brand for a job seeker isNOT job search stuff. It is content related to your next desired occupation. Desperate pleas for help as status updates don’t typically result in an outpouring of assistance.

Here are 10 Status Updates

to consistently add valuable and viewable content to your LinkedIn status updates.

1. Share Industry Insights

LinkedIn’s marketing strategy guide “LinkedIn Best Practices Targeted Status Updates,” which is written for businesses but is as close as we are going to get for job seekers “informative, useful updates receive the highest engagement rates.” These are the status updates LinkedIn users value most:

• 60% of members are interested in industry insights
• 53% are interested in company news
• 43% are interested in new products and services

You can monitor industry news directly from LinkedIn by setting your Pulse preferences.

Here’s How To Change the News You See On LinkedIn

Go to Interests > Pulse > All channels and select the categories that are important to you. You will see the X turn into a green checkmark. Now these stories will appear in your Pulse newsfeed. You can also select “All Publishers” to get articles from your favorite news sources, such as Time, Mashable, Entrepreneur, etc. Influencers are recognizable people, such as Richard Branson, Jack Welch and others, who post on LinkedIn’s publishing platform.

2. Share News About Target Companies

One of the first steps you should take is to follow the companies you are interested in working for.  By doing this, you will be able to see the news they share through their LinkedIn company status updates.

3. Post Job-Related Tips/Hacks

Well-written, good-quality posts related to the work you do will help other professionals too. Posts might be about time management, new tools or software, success stories or new trends. You can find these tips through Pulse, Influencers, industry publications and newsletter, to name a few. How are you keeping up with what’s going on in your field?

4. Ask Questions

Asking questions is a way to engage your network. Avoid job search related questions which may send a message of desperation. Instead, ask your connections for their opinions on certifications or new technology being used. Or you can ask your network to recommend professional associations, clubs or organizations they value. You may even choose to share an article and ask your network for their opinions on a topic mentioned within the article.

5. Share Quotes

Motivational quotes are uplifting and stir positive emotions. Either share as an image or just share the quote as text. Remember to always credit the source of the quote.

6. Share Infographics, Images, Videos

Infographic by QuickSprout

All of these result in greater engagement and sharing. You can learn more in this post by Bufferapp, (and credit to the image from them too!)

Status updates you share containing links supply 200% more engagement according to the Bufferapp post. This is what you are looking for! When your network engages with what you’ve shared, they associate you with the content and remember you!

Images work too! Posting LinkedIn status updates with images increases comments by 98%.

Finally, who doesn’t love a great video?! Share a TedX Talk or short video and watch your network share it!

7. Group Discussions Show In Your Updates

Did you know when you add to a group discussion, it shows in your status update? This is another way to show you are active in your profession. Not only is adding to a group discussion a great way to network within the group, it also shows your network you are talking about a specific topic which may be of interest to them too.

8. Upcoming Events

Are you planning on attending a conference or workshop? Share a link and description of the even with your network- someone may want to attend too! You may also use your status update to ask who else is going. 

9. Share Humorous Business/Work-Appropriate Cartoons.

Everyone loves a good joke, funny meme or cartoon once in a while. Lighten up the seriousness of your status updates by sharing a laugh. It helps people understand you better.

10. Share the Status Updates from Your Network.

From your home page on LinkedIn, scroll down through the updates (either set to top or recent).

Did you know this changed? Read more here.

See what your connections are sharing and talking about. Find something interesting and when you share the status update (no, don’t just click ‘like”). Why not tag the person you are sharing it from by using their name. This gives them credit for finding the article AND is a nice ping of recognition to show them you are aware of what they are sharing! Consider this network nurturing.

Did You Know?

Many other LinkedIn activities show up in activity feed. According to LinkedIn:

“While you can limit most of your updates, the following will be posted regardless of your activity settings:

• Connecting with other LinkedIn members. Note: You can turn the notification off when you make a new connection by hiding your connection list.

• Group activity – You now have the option to turn this off within your Group settings, if you don’t, an activity will post. Learn more about preventing updates when you join a group

• Sharing content

• Upgrading to a Premium account (doesn’t apply to Job Seeker account)

• Following an Influencer, Channel, or Publisher

• When you “Like” shared content”

 How Often to Post?

According to LinkedIn’s marketing guide (for businesses),

• Post at least 20 status updates per month to  maximize your reach to approximately 60% or more  of your unique audience each month.

• Our best-in-class marketers are posting 3-4 status updates per day, per audience.

• 20% of followers are typically reached with one status update.

LinkedIn also reported that job seekers who updated their status update weekly were 10 times more likely to be contacted by recruiters.

INFOGRAPHIC