We’ve all been asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As adults, however, we realize that achieving career goals can be daunting. Many find themselves in jobs they don’t love or stuck in careers that don’t fit their true aspirations.

If you’re not currently pursuing your dream job, the good news is that with tools like LinkedIn, achieving your career goals is more within reach than ever before.

LinkedIn has evolved into one of the most powerful platforms for professional networking and job searching. Yet, many users merely connect with others and post their resumes, overlooking the platform's full potential.
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Here are some expert tips on how to take advantage of LinkedIn’s features and position yourself for landing that dream job:

Instead of just uploading your resume and waiting, make yourself visible by engaging with professionals in your field. Share industry insights, comment on relevant posts, and consistently contribute value.

• Join LinkedIn Groups. Participate in LinkedIn Groups related to your industry. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share knowledge.
• Follow Companies. Follow target companies and their hiring managers to stay on top of job postings and gain insights into their culture.
• Use Keywords: Make sure you write a good LinkedIn Headline. The About section on LinkedIn (aka Summary) is just as important. Include keywords that recruiters search for. This increases your chances of showing up in recruiter searches. That said, be aware of the dos and don'ts when the recruiter calls you.

A clear, high-quality headshot is essential. Your photo is your first impression on LinkedIn, so make it count.

• A Good First Impression is Important. Profiles with photos are 14x more likely to be viewed. A profile without a photo often feels incomplete or unprofessional.
• Reflect Your Industry: Ensure your image aligns with your industry norms—whether that’s a formal headshot for corporate roles or something more creative for artistic industries.

An incomplete LinkedIn profile is a missed opportunity. Make sure each section is thorough and up-to-date.

• Go Beyond Job Titles: Use the Experience section to describe your achievements, not just responsibilities. Include metrics where possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 25% in Q1”).
• Don’t Forget Skills and Endorsements: Ensure that you list relevant skills and seek endorsements from colleagues. The more specific and aligned your skills are to your desired role, the better.

Don’t hesitate to request recommendations. These carry weight with recruiters and add credibility to your profile.

• Personalize Requests for Recommendations. When asking for a recommendation, be specific. Let the recommender know what aspects of your work you’d like them to highlight.
• Give to Get. Offer to write a recommendation in return. This fosters goodwill and increases the likelihood that others will reciprocate.

Consistently publishing content not only boosts your profile’s visibility but positions you as a thought leader in your field.

• Write Articles. Write about current trends or share your expertise in your area of interest. These can significantly improve your credibility and foster new connections.
• Engage with Comments. After publishing, engage with comments on your posts. This boosts visibility and encourages ongoing conversations.

Don’t underestimate LinkedIn’s built-in job search tools.

• Set Job Alerts: Use LinkedIn’s job search feature to ​set up job alerts for new positions in your field.
• Use the Easy Apply Option. Many companies use LinkedIn’s “Easy Apply” option, streamlining the application process and getting your resume in front of recruiters faster.

Customize your LinkedIn URL to make your profile easy to share and look more professional (e.g., linkedin.com/in/YourName). This also helps improve your visibility on Google searches.

When you access LinkedIn Learning, you will note that LinkedIn offers a wealth of learning resources that can help you upskill. Complete relevant courses and add them to your profile to show employers your commitment to professional growth.

​LinkedIn is more than just a digital resume. It’s a platform designed for networking, professional development, and job searching all in one. Whether you’re actively looking for a job or simply want to build your professional presence, utilizing LinkedIn’s full range of features can set you on the path to success.

​The time to prepare for a job search is while you’re still employed. This concept is called “Career Cushioning.” Prepare yourself for a soft landing at a new job by being proactive about your job search ideas and creating alternate paths to new employment in the event of a layoff or termination.
 
While looking for a job while still employed is always a strong strategy, career cushioning is a growing trend. The term gained favorability in late 2022/early 2023.
 
Job security can be rare in certain industries. Ensuring you have a place to land in the event of sudden change is a proactive way to deal with uncertainty. Key roles and industries are being reimagined because of the impact of technology, including artificial intelligence. As a result, career cushioning is becoming increasingly relevant.
 
According to research conducted by recruiting firm Robert Walters, 68% of professionals surveyed are already looking for new jobs as a “just in case” tactic. Almost half of those surveyed (48%) say low job satisfaction is the reason for their current mindset. Other reasons include lack of job security (28%) and internal changes within the company (16%). A turbulent economy is also a contributing cause (8%).
 
MarketWatch Guides found that 70% of workers are taking steps to prepare for layoffs — such as putting more money into savings, or regularly reviewing job listings. The MarketWatch Guides 2024 Layoff Anxiety Survey found that survey respondents are monitoring current unemployment rates.
 
Financial insecurity is also driving career cushioning tactics. 40% of workers say if they were laid off today, they would run out of money within one month based on their current spending. Almost a fourth of those surveyed said they would run out within two weeks.
 
Generational differences are also apparent in career cushioning strategies. The Layoff Anxiety Survey found Generation Z employees (born between 1997 and 2012) feel the most pressure. 57% reported being anxious about being laid off, and 88% are actively taking steps to prepare for layoffs. 42% of millennial employees (born between 1981 and 1996) report layoff anxiety.
 
Taking action can be an effective strategy to reduce anxiety.

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• Monitoring the job market
• Strategic career moves amidst industry lay offs
• Preparing/updating job search documents and LinkedIn profile
• Networking with recruiters and others who can assist with a job search
• Arranging for informational interviews to learn more about a company
• Activating job search alerts and browsing job listings
• Creating a target list of prospective employers
• Applying for jobs
• Researching opportunities for a career change
• Learning about how to to find contract work
• Inventorying your skills and interests for alignment with future opportunities
• Improve your personal brand by increasing your online visibility (blogging, social media engagement, etc.)
• Upskilling/reskilling/training
• Starting a side hustle that could become a job/career or taking on freelance work
• Working with a resume writer and/or career coach
• Increasing personal savings in anticipation of a layoff
• Taking stock of your finances and opportunities to cut expenses
• Working with a mental health professional to address anxiety issues

 
Employees may also consider career cushioning strategies if they feel underappreciated or unchallenged in their current role, even if the position is stable. Dissatisfaction with salary and benefits, work/life balance, and career opportunities can also be reasons to pursue career cushioning activities.

​One key tactic for setting yourself up for success is networking. Connecting with individuals inside and outside your field can help you land your next role. Networking can help you identify unadvertised jobs and help you tap into the hidden job market, connect with recruiters and hiring managers, and learn more about a company before you apply for an advertised opening.
 
Based on a survery of 3,000 participants in 2016 conducted by Lou Adler, the CEO at Performance Based Hiring, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. Especially when pursuing a confidential job search, networking can help open door to finding the next job opportunity. No longer does networking mean attending industry conferences and trade shows — mastering LinkedIn as you key to land your dream job and using LinkedIn messages to stay in touch can be just as effective.

​Even if your position isn’t threatened, career cushioning is a smart strategy to ensure you’re being paid a market rate and you’re ready for an opportunity if it arises.