How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job: 5 Steps That Work

You don’t need thousands of followers, years of “local experience,” or even permanent residency to land a job through LinkedIn.

What you do need is the right strategy.

I’ve seen countless international students and migrants go from no responses to multiple interviews just by improving their LinkedIn approach. If you’ve been applying online with no luck, LinkedIn can be your game-changer — if you use it right.

Here’s how to start.

Step 1: Fix the Basics of Your Profile

Before you send a single connection request or apply for a job, make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and professional.

Must-haves:

A friendly, high-quality headshot (no blurry selfies or holiday pics)
A headline that sells your skills, not just your current status (“Engineering Graduate | Data Analysis & CAD Design” is better than “Recent Graduate”)
A compelling About section that shares your skills, career goals, and what you bring to employers
Updated Experience, Skills, and Education sections — even volunteer work, internships, and coursework count

A well-built profile makes recruiters stop scrolling. Without it, they’ll skip straight past you.

Step 2: Use Keywords to Show Up in Searches

LinkedIn is a search engine for recruiters. If your profile doesn’t include the keywords they’re typing, you won’t appear in their results.

Here’s what to do:

Open a few job ads for your target role.
Highlight recurring skills, software, and qualifications (e.g., “project coordination,” “Excel,” “stakeholder engagement”).
Naturally add these keywords into:

Your headline
Your About section
Your Experience bullet points
Your Skills list

Example:
If recruiters are searching for “Marketing Coordinator Canva,” make sure those words are in your headline and experience — not hidden in a cover letter they’ll never see.

Step 3: Turn On “Open to Work” (The Right Way)

This is one of the simplest ways to get in front of recruiters.

On your profile, click “Open to Work”
Select job titles you’re targeting
Add preferred locations (include nearby cities)
Set visibility to “Recruiters only” for a discreet search, or make it public if you’re comfortable

This moves you into recruiter search dashboards — meaning they can find you even if you never apply for their roles.

Step 4: Start Making Smart Connections

Your network is your hidden job board.

Start with:

Classmates, professors, and alumni
Recruiters in your field
Professionals working at your dream companies

Tip: Always send a note with your connection request:

“Hi Alex, I’m a business analytics graduate and would love to connect with professionals in the industry.”

Don’t pitch. Don’t send your resume. Focus on building rapport.

If you already know people from university, part-time jobs, or internships, connect with them first. A warm connection is far more likely to lead to an opportunity than a cold one.

Step 5: Engage Weekly — Even If It’s Just One Comment

LinkedIn rewards activity. And more importantly, your network will remember you if they see your name regularly.

Like relevant posts from people in your field
Comment with something thoughtful (“This is a great approach to client onboarding — I’ve tried something similar in my internship and it worked well.”)
Share an insight, an article, or a resource you found useful

You don’t have to post original content every day. But a consistent presence keeps you top of mind — so when someone hears of an opening, you’re the first person they think of.

Extra Tips to Boost Your Results

Check your contact info — Make sure your email is visible in your Contact section. Recruiters won’t chase you if they can’t reach you quickly.
Update quarterly — Even small updates (a new course, volunteer role, or skill) show you’re active and growing.
Be patient but persistent — Many connections won’t lead anywhere right away. Stay consistent.

Common LinkedIn Job Search Questions

Can I get a job on LinkedIn without experience?
Yes. Many graduates land their first role by showing transferable skills, engaging with the right people, and presenting themselves professionally.

Do I have to post content to get hired?
No — but commenting and engaging will significantly improve your visibility.

What’s the most important part of my profile?
Your headline, About section, and photo. They’re the first impression that determines whether someone clicks through or moves on.

Want a LinkedIn Checklist That Gets You Noticed?

If you want to shortcut the process, I’ve put together the Skilled Job Starter Kit — built for international students and migrants.

Inside, you’ll get:

A LinkedIn profile checklist
Resume templates that get interviews
Interview scripts to help you sound confident

👉 Get it free here: theaho.co/free