Quick Answer
Changing your LinkedIn location to your desired work location can be beneficial if done strategically. It signals to recruiters where you want to work and helps you appear in more localized searches. However, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully before changing locations.
Should You Change Your LinkedIn Location?
Here are some key factors to consider when deciding whether to change your LinkedIn location:
Pros of Changing Your Location
- Shows recruiters and hiring managers where you want to work
- Makes your profile appear in searches for that location
- Expands your network to include professionals in your target location
- Positions you as local if applying to jobs in that area
Changing your location can signal to recruiters and hiring managers that you are interested in job opportunities in that area. It helps get your profile visibility in front of the right people.
When professionals search LinkedIn for people located in a certain city, changing your location means you will appear in those searches. This expands your visibility and network locally.
If you are applying to jobs in your target location, having that city on your profile helps position you as a local candidate. Companies often prefer hiring locals.
Cons of Changing Your Location
- Current local connections may be less likely to endorse or recommend you
- Can look suspicious if you don’t actually live there yet
- Recruiters may think you require relocation if it doesn’t match your experience
The main risk is that your current local connections, like colleagues and classmates, may be less inclined to interact with your profile or give you endorsements and recommendations if your location no longer matches theirs.
Also, suddenly changing your location when you don’t actually live there yet can look questionable to some recruiters. It may backfire if you seem misleading.
Additionally, if your work experience and education still center around your current location, having an unrelated target location may lead recruiters to assume you need extensive relocation assistance.
Best Practices for Changing Your Location
If you do decide to change your LinkedIn location, here are some tips to do it effectively:
- Only change it to somewhere you realistically want to work and can afford to relocate to
- Make other changes too, like adding relevant skills, joining local groups, and connecting with locals
- List your target location in your professional headline or summary section
- Disclose you are relocating in your introduction or cover letters
- Keep your current location as well if you still have strong local ties
Pick a desired work location you are serious about and able to realistically relocate to. Avoid misleading locations.
In addition to changing your location, enhance your profile in other ways too. Add skills that are valued there, join relevant local groups, and connect with professionals from your target area.
Mention your intended destination prominently in your headline or summary. For example: “Relocating to Seattle in June 2023.”
When applying for jobs, be upfront in your introduction that you are relocating. This reduces confusion and shows you are planning ahead.
You can also list both current and target locations to maintain visibility in both areas during your transition.
When to Change Your Location
Here is guidance on timing for when to change your LinkedIn location:
- 3-6 months before relocating – early enough to establish local connections and be discoverable
- After accepted job offer in new location – now it matches your actual plans
- Already relocated – self-explanatory to align with your real location
- While job searching in target area – appear in local candidate searches
Changing it 3-6 months out from relocating gives enough time to network and appear in recruiter searches.
If you get a job offer, update your location then to match your real situation.
Or you can wait until already moved to change it. This avoids confusion about where you live currently.
Finally, changing it while actively applying helps you stand out among local candidates.
How to Change Your LinkedIn Location
LinkedIn makes it easy to update your location. Just follow these simple steps:
- Click your profile photo in the top right
- From the menu, select “View profile”
- Click the “Edit public profile & URL” pencil icon near your photo
- Scroll down and click “Contact Info” to expand the section
- In the location field, start typing your new desired city
- Select it from the drop-down when it appears
- Click “Save” at the bottom of the section
Your profile location will be updated immediately. You can repeat these steps at any time to change it again in the future.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways on whether and how to change your LinkedIn location:
- Changing it signals where you want to work and helps exposure in that area
- Weigh benefits vs. drawbacks regarding your specific situation
- Follow best practices like being realistic, enhancing full profile, and disclosing relocation plans
- Timing it appropriately optimizes local networking before move
- Updating only requires going to your profile, editing contact info, and selecting new location
With the right strategy and timing, changing your LinkedIn location to your desired work destination can expand opportunities and help your chances during a job search. But approach the decision carefully and intentionally.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Increases visibility in target location | May reduce engagement from current connections |
Appears in local candidate searches | Can seem misleading if move not finalized |
Expands professional network locally | Recruiters may think you need relocation assistance |
Signals interest in opportunities in that area |