LinkedIn is an incredibly powerful tool for finding a new job in the healthcare field, and I have used it extensively in my job searches. Like anything else though, it can take some practice to use it effectively; but with the right strategies, it can be a game-changer in your job search. Whether you’re looking for a clinical role, an administrative position, or something in the healthcare industry, using LinkedIn effectively can make all the difference. Here are some strategies I used when job searching that I hope will help you in your search.

1. Broaden Your Search Terms

Healthcare job titles can vary widely, so it’s essential to use a variety of search terms to uncover all potential opportunities. Start with the broadest terms, then narrow them down as you find jobs that interest you. But you must be aware that what might seem like the obvious job title to you, companies might be more creative in their wording. For example, if I were going to search for a nurse educator position, these are the different terms I would use to start my search:

• Registered Nurse

• Nurse Education

• Clinical Liaison

• Clinical Educator

• Patient Liaison

I pigeon-holed my search for many years by only searching “nurse educator” because I didn’t realize that many companies used different job titles. 

Experiment with different combinations of terms to ensure you’re covering all possible job titles. As you search, you will see a variety of titles posted- don’t be put off by the job title. The first job I had in pharmaceuticals was an odd title and something I never would have searched for. As a matter of fact, when a recruiter initially reached out to me, I thought I was under-qualified solely based on the job title. If I hadn’t bothered to read the description and contact that recruiter back, I would have missed out on an amazing opportunity.

2. Keep the Location Setting Open

When searching for jobs, consider keeping the location filter broad. Many companies post jobs based on their headquarters’ location, even if the position is remote or flexible. It could be posted out of one city in your state, but they are looking for anyone in your state or region. Setting your location to only the city you live in could filter out a position that you would be perfect for, but might miss just because of the location. Setting your location to “United States” or your entire country can help you find roles that you might otherwise miss.

For example, my first job outside of patient care was posted out of San Diego, CA. I live on the east coast. I had all of the other requirements they were looking for in a candidate though, and I was OK moving if it was a deal-breaker for the job. Fortunately, they just required that a potential hire live near a major airport. I never would have found that job if I had limited the location in my search.

3. Focus on Employer Names

As you scroll through job postings on LinkedIn, pay attention to the employer’s name rather than just the job title or location. Companies in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, public health, and healthcare IT often post jobs that might not immediately seem relevant to your experience but are worth exploring.

If you stop scrolling to read the description, and its not quite the right fit, follow the link back to the company’s job page and search further. Search your specific job broadly (nurse, radiology tech, pharmacist, etc), or search your location (I usually search by state when searching at the company level). If you get a hit, read the full job description before ruling it out, you might be a perfect fit.

4. Follow Companies of Interest

Make a list of healthcare companies or organizations you’d like to work for, and follow them on LinkedIn. Many companies post job openings directly on their LinkedIn pages, and following them ensures you’ll see these posts in your feed. 

I actually used to search my unit for the products we used, then search their websites and follow them on LinkedIn. At the time I was specifically interested in either medical device or pharmaceutical education, and thought that the meds and equipment I was already comfortable with would be the safest route into a completely new role.

5. Set Up Job Alerts

LinkedIn allows you to create job alerts for specific search terms. Once you’ve identified the roles you’re interested in, set up alerts to receive notifications whenever a new position is posted. This ensures you’ll be among the first to apply.

Click through to LinkedIn when you see an interesting job in your email alerts—the algorithm can lead you to similar opportunities that might be the perfect fit but didn’t make it to your inbox.

6. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Recruiters frequently search for candidates on LinkedIn, so having a polished profile is crucial. Here are a few tips:

• Use a professional photo and include a clear, concise headline. Don’t use an AI headshot that does not look like you.

• Make sure you have an updated resume on your profile, and ask someone to check that its visible publicly. Recruiters actually read the resumes on your LinkedIn. I’ve also had issues with my resume not being visible to others although I could see it with no problem, hence the double check.

• Highlight relevant experience in your summary and work history.

• Add key skills that match the types of roles you’re seeking. I’ve had LinkedIn suggest open positions for me based on the skills I added to my profile.

7. Engage with Your Network

Your network is one of your most valuable resources on LinkedIn. Engage with posts, comment on industry updates, and reach out to connections in your field. Don’t hesitate to send a polite message asking for advice or information about opportunities. 

Connect with people who have the type of job that you are aiming for, and message them. Most of them have a similar background to you, and are excited to talk to you about how they got to where they are.

Remember too, many companies offer their employees referral bonuses. People will be happy to send in your resume to their HR for a chance at that bonus. Be prepared for people to reach out to you for help when you land your dream role; then it will be your turn for the bonus!

8. Stickers

If you would like, you can add a #opentowork sticker to your profile picture. I am going to leave this up to you. I have heard that some recruiters don’t like them, because it can make a candidate seem desperate. However, I do have friends who have had success finding a new job when that sticker was on their picture.

If you do decide to add the sticker, make a short post on LinkedIn to go with it, to give a little bit of information about the type of job you are looking for. Hopefully that will keep you from getting inundated with requests from recruiters for jobs you don’t want.

9. LinkedIn Premium

LinkedIn is free to use for anyone, but they do offer a premium version. With the premium, you get services such as seeing who has reviewed your profile (connect with those recruiters looking at you!), you can compare your work and education history against other applicants, and you will have access to services such LinkedIn Learning and AI coaching. Since it is free for the first month, sign up and try out its features! At the end of the free trial, you can always cancel; if you choose to  continue the service, it’s $29.99 a month.

I did try LinkedIn Premium for a month, but I cancelled after the trial period was over. I personally did not get a lot of benefit from it; I did not see an increase in interviews or contact with recruiters. I am sad that I did not take advantage of LinkedIn Learning however, so that’s my fault.

10. Be Persistent and Patient

Finding the right job can take time, so don’t get discouraged. Regularly update your searches, refine your keywords, and continue engaging with your network. Each interaction and application brings you closer to the opportunity that’s the perfect fit for you.

Many of these jobs have a lot of competition as well, but don’t let the potential competition keep you from applying.

11. A Real Life Example of LinkedIn Success

Let me put it all together in a specific example. Recently I highlighted a job for a Professional Services Consultant with Omnicell on my Job Spotlights page. I typed into the “title, skill or company” bar on LinkedIn “pharmacy technician”, and in the location bar United States, then started scrolling. It took several pages, but I finally found a pharmacy technician job with Omnicell. When I read the job description, it was for a standard hospital pharmacy technician job, but the company made me want to search further. Many hospitals use Omnicell in their pharmacies, and I wondered what other types of positions they might have open. So I clicked the Apply button in LinkedIn to get me to the company’s career page. I then searched “pharmacy technician” again on Omnicell’s career site, and got a huge list of positions all over the country. Any job that didn’t look like a hospital based pharmacy position, I opened and read, until I found the Professional Services Consultant job.

Now, if I were a pharmacy technician, I’m not sure I would have looked very hard at this position on its own, but because of the series of steps I did to get there, I discovered a interesting position outside of a traditional pharmacy technician role, specifically for experienced pharmacy technicians!

By using these strategies, you can unlock the full potential of LinkedIn to find your next healthcare job. If you have additional tips or success stories, feel free to share them in the comments below!

Good luck in your search!

Disclaimer: I am NOT earning any income from this post, these are from my own personal experiences.

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