COAR | Job Search Coaching for Migrants in NZ & Australia

If you’re sending out job applications and hearing nothing back, you’re not alone. Most professionals don’t realise that LinkedIn isn’t just a social network, it’s your personal marketing platform. Done right, it’s where recruiters discover you, where opportunities appear before they’re advertised, and where learning never stops. Whether you’re job hunting or building your long-term career, mastering LinkedIn can completely change your results.

Let’s break down why LinkedIn is so powerful and how you can use it to get noticed, grow your network, and access the hidden job market.

1. LinkedIn Opens the Door to the Hidden Job Market

Around 70% of jobs are never publicly advertised, they’re filled through recommendations, referrals, or internal searches. That’s what’s called the hidden job market, and LinkedIn is the single best way to reach it.

When your profile is complete and active, recruiters can find you for roles you didn’t even know existed. Instead of spending hours applying online, your next opportunity might simply start with a message that says, “We came across your profile are you open to new roles?”

Here’s how to start unlocking that network:

Add recruiters and hiring managers in your industry.
Follow companies you’d love to work for.
Comment thoughtfully on their posts to appear on their radar.
Use the “Open to Work” feature strategically visible to recruiters, not the public.

This quiet, consistent visibility is how you access opportunities before they hit job boards.

2. Your LinkedIn Profile Is Your Digital First Impression

Think of your LinkedIn profile as your online CV with personality. It’s often the first thing recruiters check sometimes before they even open your CV.

A professional profile photo, clear headline, and value-driven “About” section help you stand out instantly. You don’t need to sound corporate or complicated; you need to sound clear, confident, and human.

Profile checklist:

Headline: Summarise what you do and the value you offer. Example: HR Consultant | Helping employees and businesses resolve workplace challenges with confidence.
About section: Tell your story in the first person. Use keywords naturally and show how you have added value through your key skills.
Experience: Focus on outcomes, not just duties what did you achieve?
Skills & endorsements: Keep these up to date and aligned with your target roles.
Recommendations: Ask a former colleague or client for a short testimonial.

A strong LinkedIn profile makes you discoverable and credible two essentials for getting noticed.

3. Networking on LinkedIn Doesn’t Have to Feel Awkward

Networking gets a bad reputation, but on LinkedIn it’s simply building genuine professional relationships. You’re not asking for a job, you’re connecting, learning, and sharing insights.

Start small: connect with people you know, join relevant industry groups, and comment on posts that interest you. The more you contribute, the more visible you become in other people’s feeds.

Simple networking habits that work:

Send one new connection request a week with a friendly note.
Like and comment on posts from your target companies or recruiters.
Post once a week about something you’ve learned, a question you’re exploring, or a small career win.

These micro-interactions compound over time. Before long, you’ll be part of conversations that lead to referrals, collaborations, and job offers. That’s the hidden job market at work again.

4. Learning Never Stops on LinkedIn

Even if you’re not actively job hunting, LinkedIn is one of the best learning platforms in the world. Through LinkedIn Learning, industry newsletters, and professional groups, you can stay ahead of trends and build the skills employers value most.

Continuous learning signals to employers that you’re proactive and adaptable, two traits that stand out in a competitive market. It also gives you fresh language to use on your CV and in interviews.

Try this:

Choose one short LinkedIn Learning course a month in your target area.
Share a post about what you learned and tag the author or company.
Join a LinkedIn Group relevant to your field and participate once a week.

Every post, comment, and course builds your professional reputation.

5. How to Get Noticed by Recruiters on LinkedIn

If you want recruiters to come to you, you need to help them find you. LinkedIn’s search algorithm looks at keywords, activity, and connections. The more relevant content you engage with and the more complete your profile, the higher you appear in searches.

Practical visibility tips:

Use your target job titles in your headline and experience section.
Post or comment at least once a week, activity boosts visibility.
Fill in every section of your profile (including volunteering and achievements).
Add your contact information so recruiters can reach you directly.

Finally, be consistent. LinkedIn success doesn’t come from one viral post, it comes from steady, authentic engagement over time.

6. Why Every Employee Should Use LinkedIn (Even If You’re Not Job Hunting)

LinkedIn isn’t just for job seekers, it’s for anyone who wants to grow their influence, credibility, and career confidence. Sharing your projects, ideas, or learnings positions you as a thought-leader in your field.

You’ll also:

Build a network that supports you when you do decide to move.
Learn from industry experts you wouldn’t otherwise meet.
Stay visible in your professional community (which is invaluable if redundancies hit).

When you treat LinkedIn as a career-long investment not a one-off update you future-proof your career.

Want to Get Noticed and Access the Hidden Job Market?

You don’t have to do it alone.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with COAR Consultants
- Let’s review your LinkedIn profile and job search strategy together
Book a call here: https://schedule.coar.co.nz/

7. Final Thoughts: LinkedIn Is Your Career Launchpad

The job market has changed and so must your approach. The professionals getting interviews today aren’t always the most qualified; they’re the most visible and the best connected.

LinkedIn gives you both - visibility and connection - when you use it intentionally. So update your profile, reach out, comment, learn, and start building the professional network that opens doors to opportunities you can’t see yet.

Remember: You’re not invisible, you’re simply one LinkedIn connection away from your next role.

Written by Pieter Lemmer
Founder of COAR Consultants, helping professionals rediscover their strengths, refine their presentation, and find work that aligns with their goals.