STOP Using These 3 Words On Your LinkedIn Profile
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2024
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Okay, so what three words do you absolutely NEED to avoid using on your LinkedIn profile?
The answer is...
“Actively seeking opportunities”
This phrase, as well as variations of it, can completely ruin your chances of being found by recruiters, let alone getting a job interview. Here’s why…
It hurts your keyword optimization.
Recruiters look for talent on LinkedIn by searching for specific keywords that relate to the job they’re trying to fill.
For example, if a recruiter was trying to fill a Digital Marketing Specialist role, he or she might look for keywords like “digital marketing,” “email marketing,” “blogging,” and so on.
All of these keywords are relevant skill sets that a digital marketing specialist would have on their profile.
So, when you’re saying “actively seeking opportunities” in your headline, you’re missing the opportunity to keyword optimize and you’re decreasing your chances of being found by recruiters.
Waste of valuable real estate.
Recruiters only spend a few seconds reviewing profiles of potential candidates, so you want to make sure you’re showcasing the best, more impactful information at the top of your profile.
When you opt to use meaningless phrases like “looking for opportunities,” specifically your top fold, you’re wasting a valuable real estate on your profile.
You’re choosing to use phrases like that instead of being intentional and strategic with what you add to your profile.
Words like that add nothing to your profile because they don’t help you brand yourself for a specific job and they don’t help you increase your keyword density on your profile.
It makes you look desperate.
When you put phrases on your profile like “seeking new opportunities,” it can hurt your personal brand, and ultimately, your chances of landing a job interview.
This phrase makes you look desperate for a job, and employers aren’t necessarily going to want to bring you in if you’re essentially begging for employment.
Why? It’s a risk. If you’ll do anything to get a job right now, even if it’s not the right fit for you, you might leave that company within a few months when you find a better opportunity. It costs employers a lot of time and money when employees leave, so it’s a big risk.
So, if you do one thing today, REMOVE that phrase from your profile! It won’t help you get a new job.
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So true (I'm a recruiter)!
Any particular reason for the bias. Also I have seen HR demand 2-3 years experience in a programming language that's isn't even 2 years old yet.
pete lee because those writing job descriptions don’t know.
I’ve seen MANY job descriptions that are so incorrect in asking for Project Management vs. Scrum Master just for example
So what should we put if we are between jobs to cut down on biases and roadblocks?
@@christopherhughes9787 simply don't let them know that you aren't currently working. Make them simply change the leave date to something more recent
JT, I'm no genius when it comes to work search and professional etiquette. I have watched several of your videos on various topics and have been amazed that there have been a lot of things that you recommend doing... and those are things that I have been doing or I'm currently doing and they work for me. I like your no nonsense and to the point approach, please keep posting.
Wow thank you so much! That means a lot. I'm so glad our videos have been making a real difference in your professional career. That's what Work It Daily is based around, making a difference in the lives of professionals. Best of luck TTlsle :)
Totally agree @ttisle!
I really did not realize how much I should have been focusing more on my hard skills rather than tell them what I am searching for. Thank you for the info.
I learned that actively seeking opportunities puts me in a disadvantageous possition against other candidates and shines light in a situation that as a job seeker plays against me.
It really surprises me, I had been told that I should let people know I am seeking an opportunity to catch more eyes. But your words totally changed my thinking. Recruiters used a special tool to search candidates, that which means if I used same ways as other people, I won't stand out in a crowd. Then, I gonna lose at the first step. Thanks, JT, you enlightened me.
I just found your channel as I searched (as usual) for prosperity lessons. I want to say THANK YOU for sharing this valeuable info. I want to encourage those listening to you because I have been homeless living in a car for 7 years. I am now about to "post" my talent on Linkedin. I have no idea how to use it properly but people like you may not realize what a true blessing you are to those of us who CHOOSE to prosper no matter the circumstance. I do not yet have money to go to a class or join a workshop online. This gives me an opportunity to learn what to do with my talent. I cannot Thank You enough!!!
I learned that recruiters are not seeking those who are unemployed and discriminate based upon this. I figured they would be seeking candidates who are looking for work, unemployed or not. This is helpful!
Free-ing up valuable real estate makes perfect sense. There is limited space, and time, to make an impression. Thanks, JT!
I never knew that "actively seeking opportunities" can have such a major impact and even come down as somewhat desperate. Made me think a little bit. Thank you so much for sharing.
This was a great point, I recently presented to the Women's Employment Network in Kansas City and encouraged them to use the "let employers know you are open to opportunities," switch that you can turn on through your profile, but did discourage wasting valuable headline space with the obvious "seeking opportunities."
I think people need to realize that Linkedin is not a good platform for poor recruiting efforts nor is it a means to spread MLM (pyramid) schemes. It is, and should remain, a career portal, if it seeks longevity. So I appreciate this video!
Thanks for the advice, one thing that I learned is 1. How to convert LinkedIn connection in TH-cam Subscribers and 2. Increasing Video views with 3. Engagement ... So Thanks a lot for teaching this.
Having taken this advice from you I changed my headline and when the next recruiter contacted me (I think very quickly after that) they didn't even ask about the employment time gap in my profile, they focused instead on my strengths (which obviously interested them). Thank you once again J.T!
Wonderful Stavrianna! So glad that small change yielded such good results for you :)
Yep - totally agree, the biggest take away is the desperation that can be perceived by those 3 little words...
It was interesting to hear that recruiters will bypass someone not actively employed, I believe the thought process behind it is that they are unemployed for a reason that was caused by their own actions... and it is a shame, I have hired many that were unemployed at the time of hire and most have been the most amazing colleagues I have worked with. Tip for parents that are returning to work.. use skills that you have gained while raising your children, those skills matter, think organization, planning, managing multiple tasks and personalities at the same time. I have seen too many left blank or simply stating stay at home mom or dad... there is a lot of work to that and marketable skills.
Agree! I am helping a friend right now who overstayed at an unsatisfying job and now faces a bit of relevant technologies shock, ageism and LinkedIn aversion. They are so skilled at what they do, and actually ARE quite diverse in wearing many hats. Not sure what I might do to help them.
Thank you. You made me cry lol....it's so true.
I learned many things from this video but I think the most important was that those words won’t make a recruiter hire you they gonna do it for your skills and experiences. So, why don’t put your effort making your profile looks more attractive instead looking “desperate” ?!
Trying to make my profile attractive, hope I be the lucky winner to get your advice on it.
I’ve been learning a lot from all your videos and tips.
Thanks. I learned to stop, solicit feedback from others, listen, reflect, and be willing to change what I thought was appropriate initially.
By seeing this video I learn about big hurdle in job search. And that is "Actively seeking opportunities"
Yikes, I had this in my profile on LinkedIn. .... removed it now ... thanks so much. Actually, I have been hired in the last 5 out of 5 interviews that I have had. I think subliminally I have been taking in all the great information that you have on your web site. I have referred friends and colleagues to your site and now this channel. Thank you for all you do!
It's been 16 years since I've been in the job market, now that I'm back looking, this gives me some great points to make changes to my profile
"If you want to win, you gotta work it daily"
reminds me that persistence and focus are critical to the career search process. Thanks J.T.!
Benjamin Kerns a few minutes a day on the platform turns into hours of success on there
I learned that your headline is what will matter most and certain works help with keyword optimization.
i didn't realize that recruiters first only see your photo and headline. That is incredibly useful!
This is so helpful. I’ve definitely learnt that if I’m already employed and have been for many years, I shouldn’t be listening to the advice handed out by my university regarding the words I should use in my linked in. They suggest using exactly what you say not to since not all students have jobs during university and are probably ‘actively seeking’. Understandable on their part, but not specifically relatable for everyone.
Great advice. As someone who is unemployed and 'actively seeking opportunities,' it's frustrating to know that my profile is minimized because of my unemployment. And while I try to make my summary sound smart to highlight my accomplishments, it's difficult to know the exact keywords a recruiter is searching for - it's a black hole of unknowns. I appreciate all of the insight you provide to help those of use who are unemployed expedite the search for gainful employment. Lets hope that my updates, tweaks, and changes to my LinkedIn profile catch the eye of a recruiter sooner rather than later. Thanks so much!
It is a pity that recruiters are biased against unemployed people. I really did not know that. Recruiters may be missing out on great available talent. But the lesson is not to appear desperate. I am still learning how to leverage LinkedIn so I truly appreciate the advice.
I agree completely, I have actively pursued opportunities in both cases, where I was employed and when I was not employed. Recruiter contact was much more prevalent when I was actively employed versus when I was not. I have not used the "three words" identified in J.T.'s video for the very reasons she suggests, probably the most common, is it makes you look desperate. I did learn more about recruiter's search capabilities on LinkedIn from the video. Very informative.
I learned that I’m not a pro at job hunting like I thought I was. Although I’ve never used those three words, I did not realize how much recruiters pass by those who do use them. I was out of work for two years, two years ago and in November I moved out of state so now I am unemployed again. I’ve learned that I really don’t come up with anything catchy or really worth reading, like I thought I did
Although I am currently employed and not actively looking, it is good to know these tips. I have seen a number of people that have "actively seeking opportunities" or some variation of that in their profile. Thanks for the tips!
I can understand the 'desperation' aspect, but it never occurred to me that it would mess up keyword optimization. I've not used the 'bad three' myself, but have been told I might want to. Glad to know that sticking by my gut was a good thing.
My biggest issue is knowing how to spotlight my soft skills, especially when trying to pivot career paths.
Thank you for all your valuable insight. I am currently searching for á job and even though I did not write these three exact words, my headline on LinkedIn contained “aiming for a career in...” which might just as well, now when I reflect on it, be me screaming: I am unemployed and desperate. I have changed it now!
Remove " Actively seeking opportunities" from your profile and highlight hard skills instead so that you don't look desperate.
Thanks for these tips, I have been retrenched recently after working at the same company for almost 20 years and getting back into the market, especially as an experienced person who is rather challenging.
Learned why you shouldn't put the real reason why you shouldn't use those words, not why I thought it wasn't good. I had different reasons. Thank you.
Your videos are great! I often find these types of videos to be condescending and negative, but you sound like you respect your viewer and want them to succeed (and the advice is helpful).
I learned i shouldnt put the actively seaking opportunities and changed it on my profile too. Thanks much
J.T. What I learned about my job search is not to show you are desperate. I have been out of work for over a year and sometimes I feel like I have the plague. I hope I win the review of my LinkedIn page. I can use your professional help. Thanks in advance.
Oh my, I had these on my profile before but removed them. I didn't even know how harmful it was! Also didn't think it would effect keyword optimization. Thank you!
I think it is a brilliant advice. I would personally use all this space to highlight my skills and expertise in different areas. As J.T says your headline is actually a set of keywords that recruiters would use to shortlist your profile during initial screening process.
Thank you so much JT for this I saw this post a few days ago and I immediately acted. What stood out for me was the notification for Recruiters - I changed the "actively seeking opportunities," - I really appreciated that hint - I understand the SEO process and it immediately made sense to me. Thank you for this intelligence - it is changing our lives and ability to market ourselves for better prospects globally. :)
I have learned that in order to be recruited effectively it is vital to think like a recruiter, not like a recruitee.
Agreed 100%. Both recruiters and hiring managers prefer candidates that are not actively looking.
This was really useful for me. Didn't realise it could actually get one out of the interview shortlist.
Other than searching for job one should keep involved in something gainful - a training, a course, volunteering etc and that should be the highlight of the break.
Happily employed now, but this does expose a limitation of LinkedIn. Their one-size-fits-all posting capability does not allow for selectively sharing content. In this scenario I may want to share my need or desire for a new job with just my closest contacts (not all of them) so they can start to explore their network for me. The world doesn't always need to know everything.
Great point, as I believe a recruiter should see your strongest characteristic first. The recruiter is looking for what can you do for me, not the other way around. It is the same thought process when I wrote personnel evaluations in the military. Why should you receive a promotion?
I learned many things but most important is not to look too desperate for job change
This makes sense, but I had never really thought about it before.
Becky Lutz it’s huge for people who are looking for jobs
I learned how companies search for candidates. I will be re-wording my headline for a better chance to get noticed.
A very great video for me to improve my LinkedIn profile. I put my school, major and my attitude with my career field on my headline section before. After this video, I changed it to my good skill and attitude in my career field. Very good to know this important thing. Very helpful!
Hi J.T.! I am a recruiter myself, and this video taught/reminded me to continue to be aware of my bias and keep it in check! I also learned the importance of the headline, and if I'm your lucky winner, I'd be interested to hear your suggestions on how to improve mine.
Thanks for all of your great insight!
-Elise Hartman
I thought it was just me that had reservations behind that phrase on LinkedIn (~ desperation). It's nice to hear from a recruiter other valid reasons why it should not be used. Thank you!
Thanks for the advice. I now understand that it's important to highlight my skills, experience & achievements in previous organisations rather than putting as actively seeking for opportunities.Thanks for sharing this video JT!
The tip about “keyword optimization” is useful for all of us. Thanks!
Thanks JT! Don't look desperate and waste your real estate with actively seeking opportunities!
Yet again...exquisite advice from the master. I learned that my profile definitely needs a review by J.T. and I hope she sees it the same way. I always improve when I take the time to listen to and act on her recommendations. Thank you J.T.
This video definitely gave me a different perspective on how to go about seeking a new career, and gave me more onsite on what to convey when creating my resume.
I used your tips on what to put in a job application and got hired! My LI profile though... So far it hasn't attracted employers, and I'm interested in how to improve it.
I learned what employers look for and where on a person's profile, as well as what is a waste of time and space.
I learnt that actively seeking for opportunity is not a skill. Therefore, using these three words may be detrimental to getting a job interview
actively seeking opportunities phrase shows you're desperately want any job
The brief profile is too valuable to waste space. Thank you! Subscribed.
Thanks for sharing those tips. Although this video was published back in March 2018 and now in May 2022, almost 4 years ago, still some points are resonating with the job seekers in today's job market.
Hey, that's the first thing I did when started looking for a job but your points make sense and I am going to change my LinkedIn profile headline right away. Thanks J.T
I fixed my profile before the video even ended… It Will be interesting to see how quickly this works.. Thank you so much for your advice.
Hello J.T., your video was very helpful, I would have never thought that, “Actively Seeking”, would have such a HUGE impact on your job search and recruiters would discriminate and pass you by. Thank you so much, I like your motto: If you want to win you got to work it daily, nice!
I learned how bad “actively seeking opportunities” looks to a recruiter. I wouldn’t want to take myself out of contention. Great tip and thank you for explaining why!
LinkedIn: Lucas Velmer
I have just learnt that the words I use in Linkeln profile mater a great deal. thank you
Well, along with the three words, I felt like there should be choosing of appropriate skills and it's not that when you add all the skills keyword in your profile that would result showing your name in the search engine at the top.
We must also keep a selected and appropriate skills in our profile.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again thank you very much. Your advice has been so helpful for my job search and already helped me nail a few interviews (experience/learn/grow).
One question I can’t seem to get a straight answer on is, if you’re not currently working, as I’m laid off right now, what do you use for a current position and description, if it’s worth putting one in at all? I’ve read that it helps with the recruiter search results, and I’ve also heard the opposite. Any advice would be extremely appreciated.
Great. You show how to keep us calm, without showing despair.
Thanks, I used (open for new change).
Just changed it now to my job title.
And it really helps to get seen
Great video. I have always thought “Actively Seeking Opportunities “ was a bad idea as well. Thank you for sharing your knowledge as people need to know this. The one thing I learned is that I need to watch the rest of your videos to see what I’m missing. Thanks!
You're good. Direct, to the point, useful. Your help is appreciated.
Great Advice! I learned that I should be more brave in putting my qualities forward in my headline as opposed to keeping it short and vague no matter my status. I guess the challenge starts when you are trying to break away from your current profession and do something new. Thanks J.T.!
"If you want to win, you got to Work It Daily" - this is really true!
I have those 3 words on my profile as it was suggested before. I then removed it after watching this video. What could be the best in exchange of it? I am unemployed and is looking for a job.
I copied this on my headline 😂
I have been told to do this or seen it in Resume/Job hunting books. Even when employed put "actively seeking ..."
Thanks for all the advises......even i have seen people using so many times the same statement as their profile tag line..definitely learned a lot of things....most importantly....to never look desperate, especially when you are already on a payroll. Thanks J.T.
I have learnt a lot through watching these, Video's. Appreciate the information you provide. Learning about what recruiters look for when running their search is an eye opener. Thanks again.
Ativando as legendas, eu entendi! É a versão da expressão "Em busca de recolocação"/"Em busca de novas oportunidades" em inglês! Verdade! Obrigado, J. T. O'Donnell.
Hey JT, i believe that there's tons of perspectives when it comes to use those 3 words in LinkedIn profiles and it's extremely important to understand all of them to increase knowledge. In my case, i didn't realize that - as recruiters - we might not get to the right candidate because they use those words on their profile.. and it might happen! I will start to share this with candidates, i hope that helps in the future :) Thank you!
Someone needs to make a video on how searches appear as viewed from a recruiter's monitor. Be able to watch from over their shoulder as they do their thing. If I were a recruiter doing searches, what exactly am I looking at and what did I do to get the results I see. I don't understand how some people get so many profile views. I get excited if I get one, particularly if it's a recruiter from a company I am interested in.
JT, thanks for the valuable tips, actually I do not understand why linkedin has this feature for someone looking for a job to include the type of jobs they are looking for and "let recruiters know your are open for job opportunities" if this is something recruiters are inclined to avoid...
J.T. - Please choose me for the Profile review. I learned that recruiters are turned off my those 3 words....but I need to learn MORE! Thanks
Wow - Its so simple yet so powerful. My profile was near to perfect but guess what i had that 'Actively seeking opportunity right in my first summary. Thanks for awesome video. It makes such a lot of difference.
Sam Ansari if you are looking make sure you turn on the feature to allow recruiters to reach out
That's true . Actively seeking opportunities helps you a lot I have seen it.
This is nothing but a game, they know they are playing us and we know we are being played, but both parties put fake smiles on and pretending everything is nice and dandy. Snakes in the cave. Thank you for the video and information.
I am retired and I am still working part-time so I can meet people and make a difference in society. My passion is to help seniors and children and uplift them and bring a smile to their face. I would love to work face to face with autistic kids and impact their lives through patience and therapy. When they get an early diagnosis and evaluation they get help faster and become independent. I see the process is very slow and my goal is to help speed up the process for these little kids. any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks for the clarity - words do matter.
The video is focused on what 'not to post' if you're unemployed, and provide key search words which will allow your profile to be seen in a search. Any suggestions to narrow down the key words and making the profile more searchable?
Thanks J.T.! Learned today not to show that you are desperately looking for work in your LinkedIn profile.
Agreed. What was interesting to me was her comment recruiters are more biased towards people with jobs. I'm not in HR, just interesting. I guess it makes sense, but really was surprised that goes on. My follow up question would be why?
But the key here I took away is make sure you have your profile real estate used wisely. Have Information that is searchable. I will share with a few young people I mentor as they begin to learn about the world of LinkedIn. Help create a good start and path forward for them.
Whow. This opened a lot of wisdom into my job searching skills. Thank you.
A great video and a great thing to remember "If you want to win, you have to work it daily"!
HelloThis is the best bideo i have watched this year so far.. i learned that i shoudnt use these 3words wich are so detrimental for me when recruiters are searching gor me.Thank you looking gorward to more of your videos.
God bless you
Hi J.T. I am hoping, like others who have left a comment and seen the helpful video that I get chosen for a free coaching session with you! :) This video was informative, to the point and useful and I learnt that recruiters and headhunters are actually biased towards those that are unemployed.....how tragically ironic....but good to know the reality of the beast that is to be dealt with! Thanks and keep us informed.
Great information. Never thought about using those 3 words on my profile, but it definitely helps to know not to ahead of time! Thank you!
I learned that I need choose better the words that I use in my In profile
Thoughtful...and makes a ton of practical sense. #LinkedIn
Thank you J.T. Very insightful!! Now i have learnt employers usually use key words to search on LinkedIn.
Thank you so much for these tips.
This video made me thoughtful! I never really thought about the recruiters' mindset.
This video taught me that this is so important to value what the recruiters want and what they think about the applicants. As my Linkedin profile is one of the paths to attract them, it must be a combination of the bests of me.