To find top talent, go to LinkedIn. Especially if you’re looking to post a job for free. Posting a job without paying can still be effective if done right, but you need to know how to maximize the reach and impact of your job listing.
Why LinkedIn is the best platform for job postings
LinkedIn is a vast professional ecosystem. What sets LinkedIn apart from traditional job boards is its ability to combine professional networking with recruitment tools. When you post a job on LinkedIn, your listing is visible not only to active job seekers but also to passive candidates who may not be actively searching but are open to new opportunities. LinkedIn’s data-driven algorithms also help you target your ideal candidate by considering their job title, skills, location, and professional interests.
How does LinkedIn compare to other job boards?
When comparing LinkedIn to other job boards, the major difference is LinkedIn’s networking and engagement features. Traditional job boards focus mainly on active job seekers, while LinkedIn allows you to tap into passive talent. It also enables you to view a candidate’s entire professional history, skills, endorsements, and even recommendations from colleagues. This transparency gives you more context and insight into whether a candidate might be a good cultural fit, something that is harder to gauge from just a resume on other platforms.
While other platforms may offer more immediate visibility for lower-level positions, LinkedIn is better suited for finding specialized or higher-level candidates, particularly in industries like tech, marketing, finance, and management.
Step-by-step guide to posting a job on LinkedIn
Posting a job on LinkedIn for free is straightforward and can be done in just a few minutes. How? Let me teach you:
Go to the “Jobs” section: On your LinkedIn homepage, find the “Jobs” tab in the navigation menu. Click on “Post a free job.”
Enter job title: You’ll be prompted to fill the job title. Then move on to “Start with my job description”.
Add a job description: This is where you provide details about the responsibilities, qualifications, and what the role entails. Keep it concise but informative. Use bullet points to make it easy to read and focus on key qualifications.
Set your preferences: Next, you’ll be asked to fill in screening questions, rejection settings, how will the applicants be managed and whether you want a #hiring frame on your profile picture. You can edit these by clicking the little pencil icon in the top right corner.
Notes and post: Once everything is filled in, you can add some private notes about what you need in an applicant, and then you can simply click “Post job for free.” The job will now be visible on LinkedIn, and candidates can begin applying.
Creating an engaging job post
How to attract top talent on LinkedIn? Write a compelling job post that is not only informative but also engaging. Candidates want to know what the job entails, of course, but they also need to see why they should want to work for your company. Highlight what makes your company unique. Whether it’s your company culture, career development opportunities, or perks like remote work and flexible hours, make the most of every benefit. Be clear about the expectations but also make the role sound exciting. Use action verbs and avoid jargon. Candidates should be able to easily see themselves in the role after reading your description.
Should you pay to promote your job listing?
While posting a job on LinkedIn is free, there’s also an option to promote your listing for a fee, to give the post higher visibility. For most small and mid-sized companies, paying to promote isn’t always necessary, especially if you’re only hiring for one or two roles at a time. However, if you’re in a competitive industry or need to fill a role quickly, boosting your listing might be worth the investment.
