3 Precautions to Keep Your Job Search Discreet on LinkedIn

In a previous post I wrote about some of the mistakes most commonly made by job seekers who are conducting discreet job searches while still employed. Perhaps the biggest of these blunders is posting their resumes on job search engines such as Monster or CareerBuilder. Most companies have access to these sites, and job seekers don’t always realize their resumes will be plainly visible to their employers once posted. If the intent was to conduct a discreet job search, it is not so confidential at this point.

In line with advice I push over and over, utilizing LinkedIn should be a part of any productive job search. However there are a few things to be aware of when using LinkedIn that may blow up an otherwise inconspicuous search.

1. Hide your status updates – the problem with status updates is that they can be a direct tip-off of to employers and colleagues of your job search. A few reasons could be that you are receiving an unusually large amount of recommendations, you are making connections with recruiters, or you begin following a handful of companies on LinkedIn. Status updates on LinkedIn are in view for your connections to see, so take a few precautions to avoid being exposed.

Select Settings > Account > Customize the updates you see on your home page. In the pop-up window under General, uncheck the box that says New connections in your network. Scroll down under Groups, and uncheck the box next to Groups your connections have joined or created. Click Save Changes.

Click the drop-down menu under your name in the top right corner of the page, then select Settings. In the profile section, click Turn on/off your activity broadcasts under Privacy Controls. Uncheck the box that appears in the pop-up window and click Save Settings but don’t forget to turn it back on again afterward, or the right type of visibility later will not be readily seen.

2. Hide recommendations – believe it or not, you can receive unsolicited recommendations from people who you would not want displayed; recruiters or hiring managers. A perfect example would be a well-intentioned recommendation you receive from a recruiter with whom you just met, and impressed with you. You certainly do not want this type of recommendation available for all of your connections to view.

3. Remove connections – sometimes it just makes sense to remove connections, especially those who you do not want knowing that you are looking for another position. As an extra safeguard, you may just want to disconnect with colleagues, bosses, or anyone else who you are worried about catching wind of your job search.