Interested in New Opportunities on LinkedIn, But Employer Uses It As Well

I've been actively seeking and applying for new opportunities, including trying to network better on LinkedIn. I've read that some folks have good luck putting things like "seeking opportunities in Las Vegas" and "Experienced drafter/designer looking for consultancy work in LA" as a way of grabbing recruiters and headhunters.

I know for sure that I've been being watched lately by a woman who works for a company I expressed interest in until learning that most people get hired via recruiters/contractors. I don't want to work for a contractor, but I'd be open to working for this company, but I have no way of expressing that on my LinkedIn profile without showing my current co-workers that I'm looking to leave.

How about simply calling her or emailing her directly...?

Can't get contact info.

should be able to send a message through linkedin, right? otherwise, I see no harm in submitting a cover letter/resume to the company in question.

He may have to upgrade to a paid version of Linkedin to send messages to people not directly in his network. Might be worth the money, might not be.

rcutclif wrote: should be able to send a message through linkedin, right? otherwise, I see no harm in submitting a cover letter/resume to the company in question.

It's a large company so I'm not sure how successful that'd be, but it'd be better than nothing, and I could easily state up front that I'm looking for direct-hire.

Google the person's name outside Linkedin and it will get you in to see their profile. Reach out to them directly with your info.

PHeller wrote:

rcutclif wrote: should be able to send a message through linkedin, right? otherwise, I see no harm in submitting a cover letter/resume to the company in question.

It's a large company so I'm not sure how successful that'd be, but it'd be better than nothing, and I could easily state up front that I'm looking for direct-hire.

If it's a large company, go to their corporate website, go to the carrers area, and apply directly with them.

We have lots of windows open that way.

They don't have a careers/employment opportunities website.

In reply to PHeller:

A large company that does not have a carreers site? That's odd to me.

If there's a direct contact info on their web page, ask about where they do direct hires.

There has to be an HR department that deals with the openings, so there should be a way to go direct to the source.

84FSP wrote: Google the person's name outside Linkedin and it will get you in to see their profile. Reach out to them directly with your info.

This worked.

Big company.

Can't you just call the switchboard and ask to speak to her?

alfadriver wrote: In reply to PHeller: A large company that does not have a carreers site? That's odd to me. If there's a direct contact info on their web page, ask about where they do direct hires. There has to be an HR department that deals with the openings, so there should be a way to go direct to the source.

Sorry they do have a career website but they didn't the positions the specific position I was interested in as "open", but yet multiple recruiters were hiring for that position.

What I'm more interested in is broadcasting that I'm open to new opportunities, not just this one in particular. When people see my profile I'd like them to be able to quickly notice "hey, we could hire this guy."

You could just search for the headhunters in your area/business and go to their sites directly. Most headhunters will have a pool of resumes they'll go through when new opportunities come up long before they post an ad for the job. Oftentimes, if you're the type of candidate they're looking for, they'll go through a pre-interview process and get you on the list of upcoming things.

Doesn't cost a dime for you and an easy way to "network" without raising too many flags.

-Rob

You can't "broadcast" it without broadcasting it. Your employer will see.

I know there is a way of putting up a "private" looking for opportunities with the paid memberships, but I'm not sure the same thing will happen in the free membership.

I can't see how that is possible. What if your employer is looking for someone? Wouldn't they see your post?

Here's how I do it...

My LinkedIn page is very public. I know this. I also want it- I am willing to be transparent with a potential employer (or anyone).

When I am job hunting, I make a few updates to my page. I never say anything specifically about job hunting, but it begins pinging people because of my activity.

Then, I sign up for the basic paid subscription- I think it's $19.99 per month. That's pretty cheap. It sends me notifications of companies looking for someone like me. I follow these leads diligently, and invite any of them to view my LinkedIn page (like a secondary online resume). When they view it, I am notified. I pursue these leads even more diligently.

I also join groups, and participate intelligently. It increases my exposure. I follow what I can from those.

I also seek invitations to private groups. When I know someone is in a relevant group, I ask for an invite. Then participate (cautiously). I don't want to overdo this.

I also attempt to connect with every lead I am able to. Again, cautiously. I don't want to look like I am trying to grab their contacts and mine them for data, but if the opportunity presents itself, I will grab their contacts and mine them for data.

I request confidentiality in every contact I make. Never had an issue. In fact, they seem to view the request as an indicator of my professionalism.

When I find what I am looking for, I unsubscribe to the paid version, and stop participating in groups. It dials down the noise again.

Note: my industry doesn't use headhunters. If it did, I would contact them directly.

I don't use it like it is a billboard, staring in the face of every possible contact. I want better quality leads then that. For me, it's more like fishing. Play the line, patience. Play the line, patience.

In reply to PHeller:

BTW- if it IS possible to contact people anonymously who are looking for someone, it is a VERY weak lead. Employers aren't going to want to weed through a bunch of anonymity. They don't need that aggravation.

your employer might see that you are looking elsewhere?

oh noes!!

then they will either come at you with offers to make you want to stay, or just ignore you and let you go... either way, you know where you stand with them..

we look at the help wanted sections of local newspapers in the break room at work before our daily meeting with the plant manager at the beginning of the shift... sometimes he asks if there is anything good out there..

Call the company. Enter any Random 4 digit extension number into the auto exchange. When Fred answers, apologize and tell him that you thought you were put though to Bertha and if he would be so kind as to re-direct your call.

That is one way the headhunters get in.

I'm confused, why would you be active on LinkedIn if you weren't looking for something else? The CEO and the director of operations for my company are linked to me on mine; that wouldn't stop me from openly looking at other things. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm open to bettering my position if I can do it without hurting my family/time.

That's what it's for.

nvm,

can this post die now? Many don't understand my original question and it more or less has been answered.

Looks like you've got it covered but to be honest most employers don't care. I get headhunted 2-3 times a month, when I get an interesting one I even share it with my boss. He knows if the right opportunity comes I'll take it. It keeps him on his toes to make sure the grass stays greener on my side of the fence.

In reply to PHeller:

I think there could be some really useful information shared for others to glean, even if you're "over it". There's some good comments in this thread.