As a job seeker in this market, you know that success doesn’t come from just applying to jobs and waiting to hear back about scheduling an interview. That approach is so last decade. Instead, you need a multi-pronged strategy that includes a solid LinkedIn plan.
I’m not talking about just putting up a profile and calling it a day. I mean implementing an approach to position yourself as a thought leader. You’re not just being reactive on LinkedIn; you’re a proactive go-getter who inspires recruiters and hiring managers to contact you and learn more. Instead of being a lurker who only uses LinkedIn to look for jobs or maybe see what people are sharing, by implementing this four-week plan you’re going to get noticed and see results.
Is it a scary concept to put yourself out there on the platform? Sure, it can be, but here’s the thing: You don’t have to become an influencer who’s posting daily essays and dancing on camera (but you can, if that’s your thing). You need to be consistent and focused. Remember that 1% more is still more, and if you can add to that every week, pretty soon, you’ll see some big-time results.
Let’s dive in.
Week 1: Post About Your Exit
I’m going to assume that if you’re here reading this, you need a job NOW. And that’s probably because you were caught in a layoff. With layoffs worse in 2025 than they were in 2008 (here’s the proof), you’re certainly not alone. Therefore, the first thing to do is let people know the story. There’s no shame in it, and if you don’t share, how will people know that you’re looking and need support?
Why sharing your exit story works
- Recruiters notice when someone announces availability. In fact, they can search by new “open to work” candidates—whether or not you share a green banner.
- Your network becomes aware you’re in job-search mode. Networking powers activated!
- LinkedIn’s algorithm boosts life and career update posts. Yes, really.
- Your transparency builds trust. And we all know we do business with people we know, like, and trust.
The trick: Share your exit without drama
Yes, you are feeling all the feels when you get your pink slip. I get it, but tears and anger won’t ingratiate you with your LinkedIn community. Instead, present the facts:
- Start with what happened: “My role was eliminated as part of a company restructure.”
- Stay positive: “I’m grateful for my time there and the teams and people with whom I worked.”
- Your goal: “As I move forward, I’m seeking a new role in executive operations in a healthcare setting.”
- A call to action (CTA): “I’d welcome introductions to someone in your network who’s a good fit, and I’d love to connect to catch up.”
Simple and straightforward is naturally effective and will undoubtedly spark a wave of messages.
Week 2: Stop Being Invisible
Whether you’ve been active on LinkedIn during your employment, were barely on the platform, or you’re starting from scratch, now is the time to elevate your presence. To start, you’ll want to review your profile and ensure it’s optimized for frontend views and backend recruiter searches (see my blog about the different sides of LinkedIn). Remember that the key aspect of this LinkedIn plan is marketing yourself as an ideal solution and problem solver. Start with your profile.
Update your photos
There are two images on your profile: your icon/headshot and cover photo. Your headshot should be recent, just you, smiling, and a confident pose. No, you don’t need to hire a professional photographer (although you can, if you choose to); you only need to take a good head-and-shoulders pose.
For that cover photo, think “branding.” Sure, a pretty picture of a sunset is. . .well. . .pretty, but it’s ineffective in marketing you. Think of your profile as your marketing landing page: people need to know what you do and how you can help them in 2–3 seconds flat. Try Canva, which has some templates and ideas. If you have design talents, so much the better. Image only or with added key words and phrases will work just dandy.
Check your headline
Do not update your headline to “Currently seeking new opportunities.” Marketing is the goal here, and your headline plays two key roles:
- Adds keywords to help you be found (on the frontend and backend).
- Illustrates how you can help, aka your value add.
To put together an excellent headline, incorporate three elements:
- What you do
- How you help
- Something personal
Again, we’re helping people know, like, and trust you, and as a three-dimensional human being, you are not just your job. Give them ways to latch on to you. Here’s my headline:
Resume Writer | LinkedIn Optimizer | Job-Search Coach | Your Career Advocate: Proud to have helped 10K+ job seekers advance their careers. Writing and coaching are my superpowers. Hiker, fitness nut, keto for life.
As a job seeker, something like this might work:
Vice President of Operations | Transformational leader who turns operations around from failing to thriving | Addicted to coffee and donuts
Review and update your about section
If you don’t yet have a robust about section, now’s the time to change that. Absolutely include targeted keywords, but be sure that, more than that, you’re telling your story. Why are you awesome? How can you solve problems? Are you strategic or tactical?
I also encourage you to add two things here that most job seekers don’t consider:
- Something personal: Whether it’s a hobby or your favorite musician, just like your headline, it gives readers something to which they can relate.
- Contact information: Good marketing always includes a solid CTA. Don’t leave people hanging; make it easy for them to follow up.
You have 2,600 characters here, so about 3–5 short paragraphs. Add spaces, lines, emojis, or impactful text to make your about section stand out (but don’t overdo it).
Strengthen your experience section with results
The next part of your LinkedIn plan will call in your updated resume (you have updated it, haven’t you?). Review the experience section of your LinkedIn and bring in those accomplishments from your resume. Yes, numbers are ideal, but even if you don’t have them, show results. Typically, accomplishments will fall into one of five areas:
- You made someone money
- You saved someone money
- You made someone happy
- You improved efficiencies
- You mitigated loss or risks
Update your skills section
You can have up to 100 skills listed on your profile. While you don’t need to max it out, be sure you have 50 or more. These should be skills already on the platform, so type in a word (e.g., revenue) and look at the dropdown to choose those that make sense. Do not attach all of them to a position you had; instead, choose 5–7 to highlight at each role. Also be sure to put your top five skills in your about section.
Why these updates help
The foundation of this strategic LinkedIn plan is your optimized profile. As if by magic, views will increase. You’ll show up in more searches, attract more recruiters, and *bam!* increase your credibility—because you’re no longer invisible.
Week 3: Make Target Lists
Okay, let’s be honest: Most job seekers will stop at #2 of this LinkedIn plan. But not you; you’re savvy and smart. You’re proactive, and you know that we’re not living in Field of Dreams. “If you build it, they will come” only goes so far. You need intention.
List 20 people who will answer your call/text/email
These people are your “inner circle”—not necessarily your best friends, but the people who know your work and will help if asked. Reach out to them personally (on LinkedIn or another channel) to:
- Share what you’re up to and looking for
- Ask whom they know
- Request introductions
- Offer support in return
This warms your network and creates momentum.
Identify 10 dream companies
These companies can be long shots, safe choices, hiring, or not. AI is a great option to do this research, if you’re not sure where to begin. Once you have your list:
- Follow their company pages
- Read their leadership bios
- Understand their challenges
- Learn their vocabulary
- Engage with their content
This is how you build company-specific visibility.
Connect with your potential boss (or boss’s boss)
LinkedIn has seriously leveled the playing field for job seekers. And now that the platform has integrated AI into the search bar, you can look for nearly anyone. You can search for specific titles at companies, using the advanced search option, or you can ask something like, “Who in my network is connected to decision makers at Company A?” It’s that easy.
Once you have these people nailed down, reach out and connect:
“Hi, Taylor. Your work in digital transformation caught my eye. I’d love to connect and follow your insights.”
Don’t ask for a job or push your agenda. Just be a good human being. It really does make a difference.
Why targeted outreach works
By being strategic with your LinkedIn plan, you build a pipeline of opportunities. You transform your search from passive to proactive. And this is where you’ll really start to see things coming together.
Week 4 (and Beyond): Engage!
Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, the next thing to do in your strategic LinkedIn plan is to get active on the platform. That means you’re going to post your own content and comment on the content that others are sharing.
Comment strategically
This is not simply, “Thanks for sharing” or “Great post.” When you comment on others’ posts, you want to engage. Give some feedback; say something valuable. Did you know that the views on your comments are tracked? You can see how many people look at what you say, and if you say good stuff, they’ll notice. They’ll then want to connect with you and see what else you’re sharing. Remember to include your target connections and companies when it comes to commenting.
Create original content
As for posting content, this is where many job seekers get stuck. They feel comfortable commenting because it allows them to add to the conversation without actually starting the conversation, as it were. Remember that we live in an age of AI, so you can ask ChatGPT for suggestions on what to post, making this a lot easier. If you’re not sure where to start, here are three topic areas:
- Talk about your job search. After you share your exit statement, continue to update your network regularly with the fact that you are still looking, what you’re looking for, and how it’s going. Steer clear of negativity, and don’t drop any names.
- Share your expertise. “Did you know” and tips are great posts to engage audiences. You can include images or not, but the goal here is to highlight that you’re an expert.
- Give insights into who you are as a person. As mentioned, we do business with people we know, like, and trust, and providing a glimpse into your interests and hobbies helps people to know and like you.
If you want to really accelerate your esteem on LinkedIn, you can create articles, or posts. Again, AI can help get you started here.
The Results
When you shift from passive (or barely there) to active and engaged on LinkedIn, you can absolutely expect to see results—fast.
In week one, your network wakes up and people start reaching out.
In week two, profile views will increase, including from recruiters.
In week three, you’ll start having conversations and getting introductions.
In week four and beyond, you’ll get noticed and remembered.
All this activity is cumulative, and somewhere between weeks two and six, you’ll see real results. Recruiters, hiring managers, and people you need to know will start viewing your profile, following and connecting with you, sending you InMails, adding you to their job projects, and asking for interviews.
In short, by following this LinkedIn plan, you stop being invisible.
A Strategic LinkedIn Plan Will Make a Difference
Looking for a job is always challenging, but in this market, it’s even more so. Instead of taking four to six weeks to find a job, it’s taking four to six months, and sometimes longer. But you don’t have to wait around for magic to happen; you can create your own magic. And a solid LinkedIn plan is a key way to do that.
When you shift from invisible to visible on LinkedIn, hiring managers wonder who you are, and they want to talk to you. And this plan provides you with the outline you need to get started.
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Need help navigating the job-search process? There’s a reason I named my company Your Career Advocate: I’m here to guide and support you from initial application through salary negotiation. Learn more about how I can help!