Strategies For Your LinkedIn Profile When You Are Unemployed

Strategies For Your LinkedIn Profile When You Are Unemployed You find yourself unemployed.What do you put on your LinkedIn Profile?evalDo you announce your availability or would doing so reduce your attractiveness as a candidate?Fortunately, you have several strategic options.As you consider the options that follow, the primary consideration is this: How would a HR recruiter or hiring executive react to the strategy you use for the level of position you are seeking? After we discuss the strategic options, we’ll discuss factors that could influence your decision on which strategic approach to take.End Date on your last EmploymentYour first option is to list an end date on your current employment. It’s honest and your profile is up-to-date. Viewers of your profile can draw the conclusion that you are currently unemployed in your chosen field.Announce your Unemployment in your HeadlineYour headline is the area immediately below your name. LinkedIn provides 120 character spaces, which is actually a lot of room. It is acceptable to use your hea dline as an advertisement of your availability: “Currently Seeking New Opportunities.”However, there is a more effective approach. When HR recruiters search LinkedIn for candidates, they use keywords to find qualified candidates. The headline area is one of the places that the LinkedIn programming and algorithms look for matching words.evalBy only announcing your availability, you lose your ability to put keywords in your headline which reduces your chances of being found by a HR recruiter.There is a way to get the best of both worlds. Remember, LinkedIn gives you 120 character spaces. So get your keywords in your headline plus “Seeking Opportunities.” For example, “Banking Professional Specializing in Commercial Lending, Seeking New Opportunities.” This strategy capitalizes on your keywords and announces your availability.Announce Your Availability as a Statement in Your Summary SectionAnother option is to include a statement of your availability early in your summary s ection. Your statement could be as simple as “Actively Seeking New Employment.”Your Summary section is also an area where the LinkedIn programming and algorithms look to match keywords. There is a strategic advantage of adding a sentence or two with keywords about position types, industries, types of companies that would interest you.evalFor example, “Actively seeking a new opportunity as an account manager in the employee benefits industry.” This can help tighten your search but be aware that it can also reduce potential opportunities. After you make this statement, continue with the rest of the summary in traditional fashion.List Your Availability as Your Current EmploymentThe consideration with this approach is the LinkedIn programing and algorithms look at position titles and position descriptions for matching keywords.So simply putting “Open to Opportunities” as your title does not take advantage of the programming.A better approach is stating an actual title or job function followed by “seeking opportunities.”For example, “Sales Operations Professional Specializing in Healthcare Seeking New Position.” You have 100 character spaces in the title area which is a lot room. You could re-word your headline and put it here as well.For the Company Name, you can put “Unemployed”. But, that sometimes can carry a negative stigma â€" though the weight of that stigma has faded in recent years. Instead, consider a more positive approach, such as putting “Exploring a Career Move” or “Seeking New Position” as your current employer.Your position description provides some unique opportunities. If you resigned from your previous employment, the first sentence of you description could read something like this:“Currently seeking a new position after voluntarily leaving [Past Employer] in good standing with recommendations.”evalOR“Actively looking for a new job in event planning after resigning my position at [Past Employer] with strong j ob performance evaluations.”If you were laid off, you could state the description something like this:“Was subject to a company-wide lay off affecting [x number employees, the entire marketing department, x number of departments]. Release was not performance related.”Create the messaging to put you in the best light. According to LinkedIn, there is now a 200 character minimum and a 1000 character maximum in the position description area.evalIf you were terminated for performance, it’s probably best to leave that unspoken and use the position description space for other strategies.The position description space is an area where the programing works to match keywords. So using your keywords here works to your advantage. So, what do you put in this space? You have a lot of latitude regarding the content. It is recommended that any messaging be reasonable short and to the point.The content of the position description could be a brief statement of your abilities, knowledge using keywords. It could function as an abbreviated cover letter. You could also re-work your elevator speech (if you have one) and put it here. The key consideration is to use the space wisely, not be lengthy, and consider how a HR recruiter would react to what you write. When put all together, it could look something like this:Title: Account Manager Seeking Opportunities in Employee BenefitsCompany: Exploring A Career MoveDescription: Was subject to a company-wide lay-off affecting over 100 employees at Insurance Company. Release was not performance related.Seeking an account management position to benefit an insurance organization with proven skills in client service, ACA compliance, implementation, renewals, and claim resolution.Do Nothing At AllThe final option is do nothing at all and if asked about your profile, go with “I forgot.” This is not ideal, but the option is available to you.Which Strategy would be Best for You? The correct strategy(ies) depends on your unique profess ional circumstances. You may choose a select combination of approaches.If you work in an industry where it is common to hire on a project basis, contractor-to-hire, or consulting basis, announcing your availability using these strategies makes good sense.The level of your position or positioning on the corporate organizational chart of the position you are pursuing also has a bearing. Speaking generally, these “announcement” strategies may be more acceptable to lower, mid-range, sales to management roles rather than true senior management, executive, or C-Level positions.Exercise your professional judgement as to whether or which strategy(ies) to use. Your strategy hinges on how you believe a HR recruiter or hiring executive for you desired position could respond.