LinkedIn isn’t the issue — it’s the way you’re utilizing it

A LinkedIn submit by an “Open to Work” knowledge administration grasp who has freelanced for defence, nuclear, and pharma purchasers epitomises many IT contractors’ predicament within the present jobs market.

Here’s a LinkedIn query that a couple of contractor is asking

Not being approached concerning the kind of momentary assignments they as soon as could not shake off with a stick, the contractor requested whether or not LinkedIn is even the appropriate place to search for work anymore.

Their phrases had been uncooked, reflecting the frustration many contractors are feeling proper now, writes Matt Craven, founding father of The CV & Interview Advisors and  Winning Work Expert.

The lowdown on discover high-paying (unadvertised) IT contracts

Before I get into explaining why, fairly often, it is not LinkedIn however how persons are utilizing LinkedIn that is the issue, when you relate to the OP, you may prefer to know that tomorrow (Tuesday Oct twenty first), I’m going to disclose “How To Find High-Paying Unadvertised Contracts”.

It’s a free webinar for readers of ContractorUK and registration is fast and simple. You can enroll here.

LinkedIn as 2026 comes into view looks like…

But let’s now get again to our tech job-hopeful feeling hopeless.

They described LinkedIn as a murky repository for views on politics, adverts, and daft selfies. I are inclined to agree. LinkedIn does really feel somewhat off for the time being, nevertheless it’s not LinkedIn’s fault; in fact, it is simply the state of the world and the way persons are feeling.

But that actuality would not assist people making an attempt to win work!

‘LinkedIn posts looking for employment generate little traction’

This specific contractor was discussing how little traction their job-seeking posts had been getting, which is an comprehensible gripe. It’s extraordinarily laborious to get observed on LinkedIn, and making use of for roles can really feel like a bunfight, with lots of of candidates for each function.

And but, the query they requested — “Is LinkedIn still the right place to look for work?” deserves a critical reply. Because the reality is, LinkedIn nonetheless works, however provided that you employ it correctly.

Visibility v worth

Ok, let’s begin with some plain speaking by me based mostly on what I discovered trying on the OP’s profile.

The contractor had years of expertise, a strong technical background, and a transparent upward profession trajectory. Three large ticks.

But (and it is a large “but”), their LinkedIn profile did not convey any worth past the duties they’ve carried out.

Our contractor’s LinkedIn profile: assessed and analysed

Their “headline” was a string of contractor job titles, somewhat than a compelling worth proposition.

Their LinkedIn profile’s “About” part listed obligations however no achievements.

And there have been no measurable outcomes, no examples of affect, and no clear sense of how they make organisations higher.

If a recruiter learn such a profile, they’d see expertise however not proof. Being blunt — in at this time’s momentary labour marketplace for professionals, that is the distinction between success and failure.

To succeed, you should EVIDENCE your affect as a contractor

Profiles on LinkedIn and different on-line expertise marketplaces constructed round duties and instruments sound competent, however they are not compelling.

The most profitable skilled job-seekers promoting their expertise on-line carry their work to life with:

The worth for contractors of STAR case research

We can go into larger element on Tuesday, however at the least, right here we advocate that contractors on LinkedIn use quick case research that observe the STAR methodology:

STAR is essential as a result of recruiters and purchasers do not simply need to know that you simply managed tasks; they need to know you delivered outcomes, i.e., financial savings, efficiencies, enhancements. That’s what separates robust candidates from the weaker ones.

Having STAR case research in your LinkedIn “Projects” part will showcase your worth and present the proof that you do not simply do a job, you do it effectively.

Keep all of it in

At instances when the hiring market is not performing fairly as we would like it to, I see many individuals turning to social media to vent their frustration, which is totally comprehensible.

Being out of labor may be robust, and getting help out of your skilled community may be cathartic.

But as a contractor, your private model issues.

Venting may win sympathy from friends, nevertheless it hardly ever conjures up confidence from potential purchasers. A number of “Why won’t recruiters call me back?” posts can begin to injury your credibility.

Would you rent Mr Grumble or Mrs ‘Yes, Leave it with Me’?

Of course, we prefer to see authenticity, however do purchasers reply to pessimism? The most profitable contractors are those who can exude positivity, share constructive vibes, and use social media as a platform for educating.

I feel job-seekers usually underestimate how their social media presence impacts their job prospects.

In a world filled with frustration and laborious knocks, I totally admire the thought of a “Say Whatever You Want Day” the place you can provide anybody who crosses you ‘each barrels’ and all reminiscence is erased the following day. It can be enjoyable, however we will solely dream. Back in the actual world, cultivating a constructive private model will get you additional.

Missing thought management?

Another doubtlessly lacking piece of the puzzle over why your LinkedIn job prospects ain’t what they was once may owe to an absence of Thought Leadership. In different phrases, you not being a Thought Leader.

When professionals who cost by the day supply no opinions, no commentary, and no perception, their presence and standing get diminished, not amplified or enriched.

I’ve been championing thought management for donkey’s years, however these items is now mainstream. I usually communicate to employers and recruiters who assert that there is merely an expectation that extra senior people have one thing helpful to say.

What can Thought Leadership obtain for contractors?

Contractors who construct themselves into recognised trade specialists and use their LinkedIn profile to amplify such standing by sharing their ideas are a lot much less more likely to be ‘on the bench’ than those that keep below the radar.

In a sea of sameness on LinkedIn or elsewhere on-line, Thought Leadership may be what turns ‘Open To Work’ into ‘In-Demand’.

You needn’t submit each day or chase ‘Likes,’ — you simply must contribute worth.

Three fast methods to start out Thought Leadership

With Thought Leadership, it is not about shouting louder; it is about exhibiting you perceive your craft higher than most — you do not have to be the world’s best.

The irony which I’m noticing is that those that supply worth appeal to it. People who share concepts, case research, and recommendation win extra contracts, not as a result of they’re louder, however as a result of they reveal experience that draws alternatives.

Three LinkedIn profile clues you are hiding

Some LinkedIn customers (together with our OP) additionally prohibit their visibility and chance of receiving job presents or merely being contacted by:

Doing these three issues in your LinkedIn profile may really feel such as you’re exhibiting that you simply take privateness critically. But in enterprise phrases, it is invisibility. If decision-makers cannot simply see who you’re, or definitively establish you, or contact you, you are sabotaging your individual success.

Limited firm contractors eyeing exterior IR35 roles ought to suppose like enterprise homeowners always, together with making it straightforward for individuals and potential purchasers to seek out them. It must be nearly instantaneous for decision-makers to grasp your worth, and easy to contact you in the event that they’re excited by partaking your providers.

Having no phone quantity or e-mail handle in your LinkedIn profile web page’s “Contact Info” tab is not fairly the pondering of a profitable, actually ‘open for enterprise’ contractor.

Avoid the bunfight

Contractors relying solely on on-line purposes are caught in a bunfight.

There are lots of of candidates vying for every project, so a greater technique is to create a pipeline of purchasers by networking and enterprise growth.

Most contractors consider themselves as companies, and working as a enterprise normally lends itself to enterprise growth.

The 5 phases of Business Development as a contractor

And LinkedIn nonetheless is a superb place for contractor enterprise growth!

I like to consider enterprise growth in 5 phases: Search, Connect, Nurture, Impress, and Talk. Translated for contractors, the 5 are:

These 5 rework LinkedIn from a job board right into a business-development engine.

Is LinkedIn the issue?

Yes, LinkedIn may be irritating. It’s crowded, political, and infrequently shallow.

But it is the one strongest networking and business-development platform for contractors.

The platform hasn’t failed you, however LinkedIn has evolved. If you deal with it as a market for alternative somewhat than a spot to air frustrations, it could possibly nonetheless ship.

Abandon all hope ye who enter LinkedIn?

Absolutely not! Instead, observe my 5 prime suggestions when you’re looking for contract work on the world’s largest enterprise networking web site.

Further assist

ContractorUK readers can request a free, confidential 1-to-1 assessment of their CV and LinkedIn profile from one in every of my workforce of personal-branding specialists:

And if you would like to go deeper into entry the hidden contract market, together with what recruiters actually see in LinkedIn Recruiter™ (and construct a community that drives alternatives), you possibly can be part of tomorrow’s webinar: