Quick Answer
Changing your current position on LinkedIn to unemployed is simple. Just follow these steps:
- Log into your LinkedIn account
- Go to your profile
- Click the “Experience” section
- Edit your current position
- Select “Unemployed” from the dropdown menu for your position title
- Enter the date range you have been unemployed
- Click Save
Your profile will now show you are currently unemployed. Doing this keeps your profile up-to-date and shows recruiters you are actively job searching.
In-Depth Steps
Let’s go through the process step-by-step:
Step 1: Log Into LinkedIn
First, log into your LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is available on desktop at www.linkedin.com or through the LinkedIn mobile app. Enter your username and password to access your account.
Step 2: Go to Your Profile
Once logged in, go to your LinkedIn profile page. This is your public profile that recruiters and connections see. On desktop, click your profile photo in the top right and select “View profile”. On mobile, tap your profile photo and choose “View profile”.
Step 3: Click the Experience Section
On your profile, find the Experience section. This is where your current and past jobs are listed. Click on the “Experience” heading to expand this section in order to edit it.
Step 4: Edit Your Current Position
In the Experience section, click on the pencil icon to edit your current position. This is the job you currently have listed on your profile.
Step 5: Select Unemployed as the Position Title
Once in edit mode, change your position title to “Unemployed”. You can do this by selecting “Unemployed” from the dropdown menu for the title.
Step 6: Enter Your Unemployment Date Range
Next, update the date range for this position. Enter the start and end dates for the period you have been unemployed. For example, if you have been unemployed since January 1, 2022, you would enter 1/2022 for the start date and the current month/year for the end date.
Step 7: Click Save
Once you’ve updated the position title to Unemployed and entered the date range, click the “Save” button. This will save the changes to your LinkedIn profile.
Why Update LinkedIn to Show Unemployed Status
There are a few key reasons to update your LinkedIn profile when you become unemployed:
- Keeps your profile accurate and up-to-date for recruiters
- Signals to your network that you are open to new opportunities
- Gives you access to LinkedIn resources for job seekers
- Allows you to join LinkedIn groups for networking within your industry
Essentially, showing you are unemployed keeps doors open. Recruiters will know you are available. And your connections can provide leads on open roles.
LinkedIn wants your profile to reflect your current employment status. This helps facilitate better matches between employers and job seekers.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for updating your LinkedIn profile when unemployed:
- Add the OpenToWork photo frame to your profile picture to showcase you are job hunting.
- Use your headline and summary to summarize your experience, skills, and that you are seeking new roles.
- Expand your skills section and add relevant keywords to help with recruiter searches.
- Follow relevant companies to see newly posted jobs.
- Join industry and local alumni groups to expand your connections.
- Check the Jobs tab for relevant postings and apply.
Proactively updating your profile, leveraging job seeker resources, and expanding your network can help boost your chances of connecting with the right opportunities.
Customize Position Title
If you don’t want your profile to simply say “Unemployed”, you can customize the position title. For example, you can list yourself as a “Independent Consultant” or “Freelance Developer” or something similar that reflects your situation.
Just make sure to update the experience date range to show you no longer work at your previous position. This will ensure recruiters still understand you are open to new job opportunities.
Removing Unemployed Status When Re-Employed
Once you secure a new job, make sure to update your LinkedIn profile again. You’ll want to:
- Add your new job as your current position
- Change previous experience date ranges to show end date
- Update headline and summary to reflect new role
- Remove “OpenToWork” photo frame if added
Updating all job status changes on LinkedIn keeps your profile accurate over time. This allows recruiters and connections to always view your current employment situation.
Conclusion
Marking yourself as unemployed on LinkedIn when job searching is simple and strategic. It keeps your profile accurate, allows you to tap into key job seeker resources, and clearly signals to recruiters that you are open to new opportunities. With the right profile updates, you can maximize your chances of connecting with your next position.