Headhunters/recruiters - why is my Linkedin profile not generating interest?

[likesandlikes]

So, I'm a contract/freelance worker. First time in years I've hit a dry spot. I've never really had to use Linkedin before. But I rehauled both CV and my Linkedin profile, optimising it with keywords, skills, experience etc in order to maximise my LInkedin for others to see.

But not a sniff! I can't understand why no one has even looked at my profile.

If you are a recruiter/headhunter, please can you advise if there is anything I should be doing but am not doing?! Thanks

Because it's been holidays?

Have you set is as 'open to work'?

Many employers are getting snowed under with applications for roles at the moment - it's not unusual where I work to have 100+ per posting. Recruiters aren't having to hunt as much as they have in previous markets unless you have a particular hot skill.

My linked in timeline is full of people posting that they're available and to contact them with jobs - I'm not sure they're getting any sent to them.

What have you been doing to search? What kind of work are you looking for?

Not a recruiter or headhunter but I work in Sales. I guess I’d say key words, open to work, have you shared an update to say you’re looking for work? Have you contacted HHs and Recruiters directly? I think it’s a tough market at the moment but it has been the holidays too.

I hate the ‘open to work’ banner. It feels so desperate

How many connections do you have? If it’s under 500, go on a connecting drive. Work through all of LinkedIn’s ‘people you may know’ suggestions, then look up your old employers and go through the ‘people’ tab, then try searching for people in particular roles or whose names you remember. Don’t start with random searching as you are only allowed a certain number of those per month on a standard account. Also search for recruiters in your sector.

Hope that helps.

Thanks all, that's really helpful - a bit alarming to know that there are so many applicants for positions. Is that new? Has the market changed a lot in favour of employers?

I've been a contractor since I was made redundant in 2014 and I've never had any significant gaps in that time. My last role finished at the end of October and it's very, very quiet.

I'm starting to think about Plan B....

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope things turn around.

What's Plan B? A permanent job?

Still to be formulated!!

I have a healthy buffer of savings, just can't decide when i should start panicking!

well done on having savings. Good luck!

Every job I look at on LinkedIn has a minimum of 100 applicants, speaking to agents it's more like 150-200, OP for your job title under your profile pic / open to work banner is it generic or specific? if you don't have a job title at all there its worth adding one. Also worth joining some LinkedIn groups for your type of work and following recruiters.

It is just a really tough job market imho, I'm also exploring a plan B but after 20 years in the same industry both freelance and perm its quite scary making the leap into something new.

We haven't had any vacancies have less than 90 applicants in the last year. It's crazy.

Vacancies for what role?

Why is the job market so tough at the moment? That's a genuine question. Are companies struggling to make a profit? Is this the impact?

What sector are you in? if it's Tech related or Talent acquisition then bear in mind that some big tech companies laid off tens of thousands of people last year - the civil service was told to cut back as well. Plus outsourcing is growing more popular all the time, plus with remote working people from far away / other countries will now be your competition. Plus more graduates every year etc etc Companies aren't struggling to make a profit - the market is more flooded than it has been in the past.

I'm in digital training. That's so depressing. I'm also early 50s, none of it bodes well

Have you tried writing to people directly on spec? DS graduated this summer and just landed his first permanent job, after freelancing and doing PT work in his chosen profession. He targeted the MD of a mid-sized company and said why he wanted to work there. They contacted him, chatted and created a role for him that they knew they needed but his on-spec application meant they didn't bother to advertise it. Another family member got his position in exactly the same way - both in very over-subscribed professions.

I think it pays to be very proactive.

I am typically very proactive. I've been successfully contract and had a creative career alongside it for all my working life.

I know I have to get out there again. Just lost my zest!

Actually my old employer is advertising for a senior trainer for learning & development for a 12 month fixed term role, probably one day a week in London - happy to pm you the link if you like.

That would be really kind, thank you very much. It would, at the very least, be worth having a look.

Have you linked with all your contacts on LinkedIn? All my messages from recruiters are because I know someone who knows someone, if you know what I mean: they just make a chain between people in the same field.

Why do employers even use LinkedIn for applicants? Surely it means you're just gunna get snowed under with people who can't really be arsed and will just apply for anything in 2 clicks. Its just creating more work for yourself

Because then they don't need to pay recruitment agency fees or rely on people stumbling on their website.

My employer is currently trying to recruit for a minimum-wage/trainee role and we have had dozens of applications. All of them have been unsuitable, from people who live two hours away (it's an in-office role), to women on maternity leave for another 6 months (advert said immediate start), to vastly over-qualified people who would no way be satisfied with a part-time, low paying wage.

It's really like they have just applied (not on LinkedIn!) without really even reading the job spec. Completely different to 18 months ago when we were recruiting and had about three applicants who were all excellent.

I tried to persuade the boss to use LinkedIn to advertise the job, but it sounds like we would be in the same situation with people applying for the position who are really not suitable.