Real life LinkedIn advice?

[CuriousRunner]

...as opposed to Google.

My job hunting and interview history is minimal!

Interview then... one job late 90s until 2018 continuous service/TUPE, jobs changed and progressed but not really any interviews.

Redundant in 2018. Then started a 3 month (lucrative) contract on the back of word of mouth. The interview for this was a quick phone call. I'm pretty sure the thought process was "she sounds ok, but if not I can quickly get rid of her"! I was there until the end of 2024.

But now I need to job hunt in earnest. My industry is a big LinkedIn user. I'm feeling rather clueless (and a bit fearful).

I've been on LinkedIn for AGES. I have 400ish connections. 95% of those are ones I've actually met/worked with. I'm sure a few randoms have snuck in. But I find the posts a bit "happy clappy". So I'm not active on the platform.

Is i ok to ask for recommendations?
How do I let folks know what I'm open for work without using the "looking for work" template I've seen a heap of times?
Any advice for how or who I reach out to?
How can I encourage quality recruiters etc?

I'd love to hear real people's experience and opinions.
Thanks!

Have you got your profile set to open to work (not the stupid banner they stick over your face, in your profile), update your CV and research recruiters in your field.

Make sure your work history is all up to date and you can put a post on saying that you are looking for work amd ask your network to share and recommend you to people they know.

Linked in is a bit shit day to day, but I got my last three jobs through it by posting that I was looking for work, and contacting people that were advertising jobs. I tend to take any PMs from recruiters with a massive pinch of salt as I have been burnt by them too many times.

Its actually quite good for networking and making contacts, if you can ignore all the crap posts that make it more like facebook.

Not yet @boulevardofbrokendreamss I'm waiting until I get my profile, work history etc to the point that I'm happy with it before I press that button.

Thanks @DeltaAlphaDelta79 working on my work history at the moment. Horrible task!