Most professionals know LinkedIn offers a robust job board and an online resume-style profile, but fewer people know how to tap into new, underutilized tools that can accelerate the job search. Whether you’re passively exploring or actively applying, here’s how to unlock LinkedIn’s full potential in 2025:
Signal You’re “Open to Work”
The “Open to Work” feature has evolved. Beyond flagging your interest to recruiters, LinkedIn now allows you to share preferences like:
- Work style: remote, hybrid, or on-site
- Job type: full-time, part-time, freelance
- Compensation expectations
- Preferred locations
Be selective with the titles you list and opt for strategic variations within the same job category like “Marketing Manager,” “Digital Marketing Manager,” and “Growth Marketing Lead.” Be sure to refresh these regularly to stay visible.
Use Smart Job Alerts and Job Collections
LinkedIn’s Smart Job Alerts now use AI to surface more tailored listings based on your behavior, including what you click, apply to, and even skills you’ve listed.
New this year, LinkedIn introduced Job Collections like:
- Best Remote Jobs for Career Changers
- Top Startup Roles in Tech
- Flexible Jobs with Four-Day Workweeks
These curated sets offer a faster route to roles that align with your goals.
Explore and Post in Hashtag Communities
Instead of relying solely on Groups, take advantage of LinkedIn’s Community Hashtag Feeds, such as:
- #OpenToWork
- #HiringNow
- #WomenInTech
- #MarketingJobs
These feeds are hubs for content, discussions and even live job postings. Engage by commenting on posts, asking thoughtful questions and sharing relevant articles. The more you interact, the more visible you become.
Reach Out to the Right People
When you find a job posting, scroll to the “Meet the Team” section. This feature now highlights not just the recruiter, but potential teammates and hiring managers.
Filter by location, job function, or shared school to find points of connection. Then, send a personalized message. Focus on curiosity, not a favor:
- Reference a shared connection or article
- Ask about their experience on the team
- Express enthusiasm about the company’s mission
Validate Your Skills with Assessments and LinkedIn Learning
You can now earn skill badges in tiers (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) across 100+ disciplines, from Excel and Adobe to leadership and data visualization.
LinkedIn Learning, now integrated with badge-earning, also released new 2025 content in:
- AI for Business
- Sustainable Operations
- Strategic Marketing
Finished courses can be added to your profile, proving you’re proactively building expertise, even before you’re hired.
Showcase Media and Wins in the Featured Section
The Featured section is your digital portfolio. Be sure to add:
- Your resume or a custom intro video
- Work samples or case studies
- Certifications or press mentions
- A link to your personal website or blog
This is one of the most-viewed profile sections by recruiters. Don’t let it sit empty.
Tap Into Your Network and Ask for Referrals
Referrals remain one of the most effective ways to land interviews. LinkedIn’s “Ask for a Referral” tool now suggests the best-fit contacts based on your application history and shared connections.
Before using it:
- Message the contact first
- Express your interest in the company and ask for their perspective
- If the conversation flows, ask for a referral or warm intro
Contribute to Collaborative Articles
LinkedIn’s AI-generated Collaborative Articles invite users to weigh in on trending topics. Share your perspective, and your name gets attached to thought leadership pieces that are seen by recruiters and peers alike.
Ready to make your next move? Explore our open roles here.
