LinkedIn Isn’t Optional Anymore: How Job Seekers Should Really Be Using It
For today’s job seeker, LinkedIn is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s not optional. And it’s definitely not just an online CV.
If you’re actively job hunting and only using LinkedIn to scroll, apply, or update your profile once a year, you’re leaving opportunities on the table, often without even realising it.
At Coar Consultants, we see this every day: talented professionals with strong experience who aren’t getting traction simply because they’re not using LinkedIn the way employers and recruiters actually use it.
Let’s change that.
The Biggest LinkedIn Myth Holding Job Seekers Back
The most common misconception we hear is:
“My CV should do the work, LinkedIn is just a backup.”
In reality, LinkedIn is often the first impression, not the second.
Recruiters use LinkedIn to:
Search for candidates before roles are advertised
Validate CVs and applications
Assess communication style, confidence, and credibility
Shortlist or rule out candidates quickly
If your LinkedIn profile is incomplete, outdated, or passive, it can quietly work against you — even if your CV is strong.
LinkedIn Is a Search Engine, Not a Social Feed
Here’s what most job seekers don’t realise:
LinkedIn works more like Google than Facebook.
Your profile needs to be:
Keyword-optimised for your industry and roles
Clear about what you do and what you’re targeting
Written for recruiters, not yourself
Job titles, summaries, experience sections, and even skills all influence whether you appear in recruiter searches.
No keywords = no visibility.
Why “Applying Only” Rarely Works Anymore
Submitting applications without building a LinkedIn presence is like knocking on doors in the dark.
Successful job seekers use LinkedIn to:
Research hiring managers and recruiters
Build familiarity before applying
Engage with relevant content and conversations
Position themselves as active, credible professionals
This doesn’t mean posting every day or becoming an influencer.
It means being intentional and visible.
Your Profile Should Tell a Story, Not List Duties
One of the biggest mistakes we see at Coar Consultants is profiles that read like copied-and-pasted job descriptions.
Recruiters don’t want task lists.
They want clarity.
Your LinkedIn profile should answer:
What problems do you solve?
What results have you delivered?
Where are you heading next?
When done properly, your profile works for you, even while you sleep.
This Is Where LinkedIn Coaching Makes the Difference
Most job seekers know LinkedIn matters.
They just don’t know how to use it strategically.
That’s where LinkedIn coaching with Coar Consultants comes in.
Through our LinkedIn workshops and one-on-one coaching, job seekers learn:
How to optimise their profiles for recruiter searches
What to post (and what not to)
How to market and Brand yourself
How to network without feeling awkward or salesy - (we give you the wording)
How to turn LinkedIn into an active job-search tool
How to build relationships that count
How to get noticed strategically
The result?
More profile views.
More conversations.
More opportunities.
Access to the Hidden Market
Final Thought
If you’re serious about your next career move, LinkedIn can’t be an afterthought.
It’s your personal brand.
Your visibility tool.
And often the difference between being overlooked and being approached.
Ready to Use LinkedIn Properly?
If you’re job searching and not getting results, LinkedIn coaching with Coar Consultants can help you stand out with clarity and confidence.
👉 Book a free 20-minute consultation and learn how to make LinkedIn work for you not against you.
🔗 https://schedule.coar.co.nz/