By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
EP 3101 How do you tell the world you’re looking for a job without appearing desperate.
Recruiters know something you don’t: They won’t fill that many positions
Okay, let’s talk about LinkedIn. Specifically, that open job position. You know, if you’re looking for a new job, it can feel like a minefield.
Today, we’ll break down how to write an essay with confidence and skill, rather than one of despair. So, let’s get started. Well, the first hurdle we have to overcome is what I call the despair trap.
We’ve all seen them, right? These posts look less like a showcase for talent and more like a request for help. Honestly, it’s just a huge missed opportunity. This really brings us to the million dollar question.
How do you tell the world you’re looking for a job without striking the wrong chord? How do you demonstrate value and confidence and make recruiters want to call you? It may seem tricky, but the solution is actually a simple yet powerful shift in the way you think. This is transformation. You have to stop treating your open job position as a little job ad in its own right.
Instead, start seeing it for what it really is. This is your personal professional billboard. This is your brand’s primary advertising space.
This sentence gets to its core. The posts that really get results, the ones that get interviews, they work because they are marketing documents first and foremost. They’re more than just status updates.
They are carefully crafted content designed to attract the right people. We’re talking about recruiters and hiring managers. So, this all sounds great in theory, but how does it actually work? Okay, let’s do this.
Let’s unpack a great open-ended job post piece by piece and see how a marketing mindset transforms into an attention-grabbing message. First, the title. Let me tell you, the first two lines of your post are absolutely everything.
Executive Job Search Gold Mine
This is your hook. The only job here is to stop the endless scrolling and immediately tell the recruiter who you are and what you do. So, it’s a perfect formula.
You start with OPEN TO WORK, bold, all caps. You can’t miss it. Then you use that little pipe symbol to separate your ideas and list your key features.
Think of these as your SEO keywords. After that, pop up your location and your work preferences, such as hybrid or remote. The entire format is very clean, easy to scan, and contains the exact information the recruiter would insert into the search bar.
Well, you’ve hooked them with that killer title. Now your post body text has to deliver the goods. Do you know the most effective way? Use your influence.
I’m talking about using hard numbers. Don’t just say you’re more efficient. No, no.
Let’s say your efficiency increases by 35%. See the difference? Specific, measurable achievements are undeniable proof of the value you bring. It turns your posts from a boring old list of job responsibilities into a portfolio of actual, tangible results.
But of course, it’s not all about numbers. A great article that gives the full picture. You need to briefly summarize your background, be very clear about what you are looking for in your next company, and even mention what drives you.
Did you know? Don’t be afraid to add a personal, human touch. The posts we analyzed mentioned service dogs. It’s a small detail, but it makes the person more memorable and relatable.
Okay, you’ve done your job. You’ve captivated them, impressed them with your results, and you’ve even shown them that you’re a real person. Now, for the final step.
You have to make it extremely easy for them to take the next step. This is your call to action. Your call to action.
Executive Playbook: C Suite Transition
The secret here is to make it frictionless. This is the key word. Don’t make your recruiter have to look for your resume in your profile, or worse yet, have to message you asking for it.
Just add a direct link to your resume in the post. You remove a step and make it effortless for those interested. It’s such a simple gesture, but it shows that you’re organized, professional, and ready to go.
So, we’ve broken it all down. We’ve already looked at the title, body, and ending. Now, let’s put it all back together and boil it down to the secret sauce.
The simple formula that really makes these posts work. In fact, it boils down to these four key things. First, you capture them with a clear title.
Second, prove your value with real numbers. Third, you can connect with them through a little human touch. Fourth, you can make it easy for them to do so via a direct link.
That’s it. This recipe hits the perfect sweet spot. It was professional, personal, and very effective.
But you know, there’s one last thing that holds it all together. Honestly, this is probably the most important piece of the puzzle. It’s your tone.
The right structure is half the battle, but the right feel is what really makes you stand out. Just look at the difference here. On the left, you have that vague language of passive, hoping to find my next role.
The right side is active, concrete, and confident. You are not hoping, you are seeking a challenge. You’re not begging to share, you’re saying, I’m going to bring expertise.
It’s not just about choosing different words. This is a complete reflection of how you view your career value. So we have to remember that your willingness to accept a job is not a request for help.
This is a professional title. This is an announcement that top talent is officially entering the market. So take advantage of these tools to deliver your message with the confidence you deserve and show the world what you’re made of.
So what would your title be?
Don’t act desperate!
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense career advice around the world because he makes so many things in people’s careers easier. Those ones Matters may involve job search, recruiting more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, and advice on solving workplace problems.
He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,100 episodes.
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You’ll find important information to help you with your job search on my new website, Job Hunting.Community In addition to video courses, books, and guides, I answer members’ questions about their job search every day. Leave your job search questions and I will respond every day. Becoming an Insider+ member gives you everything you get as an Insider+ member, plus you can connect with me via Zoom call to get your questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we offer individual and group coaching.
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