Introduction to Hiring on LinkedIn
In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professionals and businesses alike. But did you know it’s also a goldmine for finding top-notch employees? With over 740 million members worldwide, LinkedIn offers a vast pool of talent just waiting to be tapped. As a seasoned LinkedIn marketing strategist, I’ve helped countless businesses leverage this powerful platform to build their dream teams. Today, I’m going to share my insider tips on how to find employees on LinkedIn like a pro. 🕵️♀️💼
Choose the Right LinkedIn Plan
Before diving into your employee search, it’s crucial to choose the right LinkedIn plan that aligns with your hiring needs and budget. Let’s break down the options:
Free
The free plan is great for dipping your toes into LinkedIn recruiting. You can post jobs, search for candidates, and message your connections. However, your reach is limited, and you’ll miss out on some advanced features.
Premium Business
This plan unlocks InMail, allowing you to message candidates outside your network. You’ll also get insights into who’s viewed your profile – perfect for identifying potential candidates who’ve shown interest in your company.
Recruiter Lite
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, Recruiter Lite offers advanced search filters, candidate tracking, and more InMail credits. It’s a solid choice if you’re regularly hiring but don’t need the full suite of enterprise features.
Recruiter
The big kahuna of LinkedIn hiring tools, Recruiter is designed for larger companies with extensive hiring needs. It offers the most advanced search capabilities, unlimited InMail, and collaborative hiring tools.
Remember, the best plan for you depends on your specific needs. As my former client Sarah from TechStart Inc. once said, “Upgrading to Recruiter Lite was a game-changer for our hiring process. We filled three key positions in half the time it used to take us!”
Optimizing Your LinkedIn Presence
Now that you’ve chosen your plan, it’s time to make your company shine on LinkedIn. Here’s how:
Build a company page
Your company page is your storefront on LinkedIn. Make it attractive and informative. Include your company’s mission, values, and culture. Use high-quality images and engaging content to showcase why someone would want to work for you.
Post job listings
Use LinkedIn’s job posting feature to list your open positions. Be sure to include detailed job descriptions, required qualifications, and information about your company culture. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to attract the right candidates.
Leverage employee networks
Encourage your current employees to share job postings and engage with your company page. Their networks can be a goldmine of potential candidates. As we say in San Francisco, “Your network is your net worth!”
Finding Qualified Candidates
Now comes the fun part – actually finding those stellar employees! Here are my tried-and-true methods:
Search for companies
Look for companies similar to yours or in your industry. Their employees might be open to new opportunities. Use LinkedIn’s company search feature to find relevant organizations.
Filter current employee lists
Once you’ve found a company, you can view their current employees. Use filters to narrow down by job title, location, or skills to find potential candidates that match your needs.
Use Advanced Search for former employees
Don’t forget about former employees! They might be looking for new opportunities. Use the “Past Company” filter in Advanced Search to find these potential candidates.
Search by job titles, skills, locations
Get specific with your search. Use job titles, required skills, and locations to find candidates that match your exact needs. For example, “Marketing Manager” + “SEO” + “San Francisco” can help you find local marketing pros with SEO skills.
Join industry groups
LinkedIn groups are fantastic for finding engaged professionals in your industry. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions. You might just find your next star employee!
Pro tip: Use Boolean search operators to refine your search even further. For instance, “Marketing Manager” AND (SEO OR PPC) NOT Agency can help you find marketing managers with SEO or PPC skills who don’t work for agencies.
Contacting Candidates
Once you’ve identified potential candidates, it’s time to reach out. Here’s how to do it effectively:
InMail
If you have a Premium plan or above, use InMail to contact candidates directly. Keep your message concise, personalized, and compelling. Mention why you’re reaching out and what makes your opportunity unique.
Personalized connection requests
If you’re using a free plan, you can still reach out through connection requests. Always include a personalized note explaining why you want to connect. This can be a great way to start a conversation about potential opportunities.
Remember, as we say in the LinkedIn world, “It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know – and how you approach them!”
FAQs
- Q: How many InMails do I get with each LinkedIn plan?
A: It varies. Premium Business gives you 15 per month, Recruiter Lite offers 30, and Recruiter provides up to 150 InMails monthly. - Q: Can I post jobs on LinkedIn for free?
A: Yes, you can post one job at a time for free with a basic account. However, paid plans offer more visibility and features for job postings. - Q: How can I make my job postings more attractive on LinkedIn?
A: Use clear, engaging job titles, provide detailed descriptions, highlight your company culture, and use relevant keywords to improve visibility. - Q: Is it better to search for active job seekers or passive candidates on LinkedIn?
A: Both have their merits. Active job seekers are ready to make a move, while passive candidates might be a great fit but need some convincing. A mix of both is often the best approach. - Q: How can I use LinkedIn groups to find employees?
A: Join relevant industry groups, participate in discussions, and look for members who demonstrate expertise in areas you’re hiring for. You can then reach out to these individuals directly. - Q: What’s the best way to approach a potential candidate on LinkedIn?
A: Be personal, genuine, and specific. Mention why you’re reaching out to them in particular and what makes your opportunity unique. Avoid generic messages at all costs.