Changing the location of your job search on LinkedIn is a straightforward process that allows you to specify the geographic areas you are interested in for new career opportunities. Being able to adjust your job search location settings gives you flexibility in broadening or narrowing your job search as needed.
In just a few simple steps, you can update your location preferences so recruiters and hiring managers looking for candidates in those areas can find your profile. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to change the location of your LinkedIn job search.
Why Change Job Search Location on LinkedIn?
There are a few key reasons why you may want to change the location target for your LinkedIn job search:
- You are relocating – If you are moving to a new city or region, updating your LinkedIn job search location will connect you with openings in your new local area.
- You are open to remote/virtual opportunities – Even if you are not looking to physically relocate, selecting the option for “remote” will show you jobs open to candidates in any location.
- You want to broaden your search – Sometimes widening the geographic range of your job search will present you with more, and possibly better, opportunities.
- You are limiting to a smaller region – On the other hand, you may choose to narrow down your target location if you are only interested in jobs within a certain commutable distance.
Having your job search location set accurately on your LinkedIn profile allows you to see openings most relevant to your needs and preferences. It helps focus your efforts while still providing flexibility to pivot your search area as desired.
How to Change Job Search Location on LinkedIn
Adjusting the primary location for your LinkedIn job search is easy to do through your account settings. Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Access your LinkedIn account and log in.
- Click on the “Jobs” section – this is the briefcase icon near the top of your homepage.
- Next click on “Preferences” which will open a side menu.
- Under “Location Preferences” click the “Edit” button.
- A pop-up will appear that says “Where do you want to work? Choose up to 3 locations.”
- Start typing your desired new job search location and select from the options that autofill.
- Narrow your location as needed – you can target down to neighborhood or metro area.
- Repeat to add up to 2 more locations if you wish to expand your search.
- If open to opportunities anywhere, select the “Allow remote work” checkbox.
- Click “Save” to apply your new job search location filter.
It’s that simple! Now when you search for jobs, view job recommendations, or get notified about openings – they will match your updated location preferences.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional pointers for getting the most out of targeting your job search on LinkedIn:
- Recruiters do location searches – Having an accurate job search location will increase the chance of being discovered for openings.
- You can always change it back – Don’t worry about narrowing your focus. You can edit and revert back to a broader search at any time.
- Range from specific to general – For best results, include a mix of specific locations along with larger regions.
- Look for remote opportunities – Consider selecting the remote work option to see positions open to candidates anywhere.
- Use recruiters for new locations – If relocating, contact recruiters and headhunters in your new desired geographic area.
Fine-tuning your job search location settings on LinkedIn ensures the positions presented align with your needs and preferences. Take advantage of the ability to pivot your search area as your situation evolves.
Changing Job Search Locations for Specific Positions
In addition to setting your default job search location in your account preferences, you can also change the location filter on specific job searches.
When you are searching for job postings using keywords or titles, there is an option to define the location you want to target.
Here is how to change the job search location for individual queries:
- Run a job search on LinkedIn using relevant keywords or position titles.
- On the results page, click the “Location” filter below the search bar.
- Like changing your default location, start typing your desired target area and select from the autofill options.
- You can also select the option to show remote jobs here.
- Click apply to filter the search results by your specified location.
Now your job search results will be limited to roles matching those keywords for the location defined. This allows you to test searching in different areas without changing your broader default settings.
Some key things to keep in mind when filtering location for specific searches:
- You can use both large metro areas along with small cities or towns.
- Typing “remote” will show all virtual/remote friendly positions.
- Additional filters like company, title, date posted are also available.
- Use quotes for multi-word locations like “New York City”.
- The location filter resets when you do a new search.
Fine-tuning location for each query lets you pivot your job search while keeping your main settings intact. Test out modifiers like adding remote or tweaking distance to uncover new possibilities. Consider tapping into your professional network in other locations to access opportunities that might not be posted. With the right search techniques, you can change your job search location easily to align with where you want to be.
Using Advanced Search
Beyond the basic keyword search bar, LinkedIn also offers an Advanced Search option. This allows you to build customized, structured queries to filter by criteria like location.
Here is an overview of how to use Advanced Search to target opportunities by location:
- Click the “Advanced” link next to the main search bar and click “Advanced Search” in the dropdown menu.
- Select “Location” as one of the search criteria.
- Like the filters, start typing and choose the desired target area from the suggestions.
- Add any other relevant filters like position title, company, date posted.
- For location, use “remote” to see remote-friendly roles.
- You can also filter by distance from a specific zip code.
- Run the advanced search to see jobs matching those criteria.
Some pros of using Advanced Search for location:
- Lets you combine location with other filters like title and date.
- Provides structured search syntax for consistent results.
- Gives visibility into the number of jobs matching filters.
- Can save advanced searches to rerun.
The added customization and granularity available through Advanced Search makes it possible to really zero in on the exact types of jobs you want by location. Create specific searches that you can revisit to check for new postings.
Location Targeting Tips for Job Seekers
Here are some top tips for job seekers looking to update their LinkedIn search location to match their job hunt:
- Set your default location broadly first – You can always narrow down later.
- Check both large metro areas and smaller towns nearby.
- Look nationwide for remote positions.
- Research target locations before relocating.
- Connect with recruiters and companies in your new area.
- Join relevant LinkedIn groups and follow companies.
- Use Advanced Search to combine location with other filters.
- Create saved searches to recheck for new jobs.
- Refine location as you learn more about opportunities.
Continuously optimizing your job search location settings will connect you to the openings most appropriate for your situation. Take advantage of LinkedIn’s various options for targeting different geographic areas. Broaden your scope or narrow your focus using location filters to put your job search on the map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about changing your job search location on LinkedIn:
How many locations can you set your job search for?
You can select up to 3 default job search locations in your account preferences. You can also search for opportunities across any number of locations using filters and Advanced Search.
Does your profile location have to match your job search location?
No, you can set your job search to target opportunities in areas different from your current profile location. The two do not have to match.
Can I target international locations?
Yes, LinkedIn allows you to search for and apply to jobs anywhere around the world. Simply type in the specific city and country when setting your filters.
Will a broader search give better results?
Often casting a wider net geographically will expose you to more potential jobs. But you may also want to narrow your focus based on commute distance or specific cities of interest. Test different scopes to see what works best.
If remote, do I have to be in the job’s location?
Typically not, but it’s a good idea to clarify location requirements with the hiring manager. Some companies may expect remote employees to initially work on-site before transitioning to permanent remote work.
How often should I update my search location?
It’s a good idea to revisit your job search location preferences regularly as circumstances change, or every few months. Location filters can be updated at any time.
Being thoughtful and strategic about targeting job opportunities geographically can make your search more productive. Use LinkedIn’s location search settings to connect with openings in areas of interest and to control the scope that fits your situation.
Conclusion
Targeting your job search by location is a key component of surfacing relevant opportunities on LinkedIn. Taking the time to update your default location preferences along with leveraging filters and Advanced Search gives you greater control.
Consider setting an initial wide location scope and then narrowing down as you refine preferences. Look for openings in metro areas as well as specific neighborhoods for a balanced view. Remote positions can expand options exponentially if willing to work virtually.
Recruiters and hiring managers conduct location-based searches, so having your parameters set accurately increases visibility. Don’t be afraid to change your settings regularly to pivot focus and respond to new possibilities.
With the right geographic range defined, your LinkedIn job search can zero in on the markets and opportunities that line up with your career goals. Location targeting removes noise and customizes an efficient path for you to be discovered and considered.