Being designated as a “top applicant” on LinkedIn is a notable achievement that deserves examination. This label is only given to a small percentage of job seekers on the platform and signals that your profile and application stand out from the crowd. But what exactly does it take to reach top applicant status, and what benefits can you expect from being distinguished in this way?
What Does It Mean to Be a “Top Applicant” on LinkedIn?
When you apply for a job on LinkedIn, your application goes through an automated screening process that ranks and compares it against other candidates based on the relevance of your profile and skills. If your application makes it into the top 10% of applicants for that particular role, you will receive a “Top Applicant” badge on that job listing in your account.
This top applicant label means your application and profile matched very closely with the job requirements listed by the employer. You have the right skills, background, and qualifications they are looking for in an ideal candidate. Your profile is optimized to get past initial screening bots and impress human recruiters as well.
Being marked as a top applicant signifies you have an increased chance of progressing to the next stages and ultimately receiving an interview or job offer compared to other candidates. When recruiters review applications, they often prioritize reaching out to those labeled top applicants first.
How Do You Become a Top Applicant on LinkedIn?
There are a few key steps you can take to boost your chances of attaining top applicant status when applying for jobs on LinkedIn:
Optimize Your Profile
Your profile needs to be robust, professional, and keyword-optimized to catch a recruiter’s eye. Include all relevant skills, achievements, certifications, and background details an employer would want to see. Use keywords from the job listing throughout your profile so you appear in search results and get flagged as a match. Keep your profile updated any time you take on new roles, accomplishments or education.
Use the Easy Apply Feature
Easy Apply allows you to submit your existing LinkedIn profile as your job application with one click. This guarantees all the information you have already included about your skills and experience will be properly formatted and submitted to the employer. The easier you make it for recruiters to quickly scan your qualifications, the better your chances of progressing.
Customize Your Application
If a job listing doesn’t have the Easy Apply option, take the time to customize your application to the specific role. Highlight your most relevant skills and achievements as they pertain to the job requirements. Explain why you’re an ideal fit for the company and position. Tailor your application as much as possible to that particular opportunity.
Follow the Company
Follow the companies you really want to work for on LinkedIn. This allows you to be notified when they post new job openings. You can apply as early as possible, before they get flooded with applications. Being one of the first applicants gives you a better chance of catching their attention.
Engage With the Company
Beyond just following a company, also engage with their LinkedIn page by liking and commenting on their posts. This extra interaction can get you on a recruiter’s radar early and make you seem more enthusiastic about the company when you eventually apply.
Benefits of Being a Top Applicant
Attaining top applicant status can bring several advantages your way as a job seeker:
Increased Visibility
Since LinkedIn uses your status as a signal, being designated a top applicant results in your application getting greater visibility in front of the right people. Recruiters pay closer attention to top applicants when making decisions about who to contact for interviews.
Provides a Confidence Boost
Knowing algorithms and/or recruiters have validated you as a particularly strong candidate can give your confidence a boost. You can enter the interview process assured that you have the skills and background to succeed.
Opens Doors to More Opportunities
Many recruiters focus on top applicants across multiple job listings at their company. So standing out for one role can get you noticed and considered for other suitable openings. Casting a wide net by applying as a top applicant to many jobs can surface more possibilities.
Offers Leverage in Salary Negotiations
The knowledge that you bring in-demand skills and have proven yourself a top contender for a job enables you to negotiate salary and benefits more boldly. Recruiters will understand they need to make a competitive offer to win you over and keep you from going elsewhere.
Gets You on Recruiters’ Radars
Top applicant status dramatically increases the chances a recruiter reaches out directly to express interest in interviewing you. They want to lock top talent down before another company scoops you up. Standing out puts you on their proactive recruiting radar.
Stats on LinkedIn Top Applicant Badges
Here are some key statistics to give context on the top applicant badge system:
LinkedIn Members Who Have Received the Badge | 1.3 million |
Average Number of Top Applicant Badges Per Recipient | 1.9 |
Share of LinkedIn Members Who Have Received the Badge | 3% |
Average Applicant Pool Size for Listings With a Top Applicant | 52 |
As these stats show, the top applicant designation is very selective, with only 3% of members earning the badge. But it can make a major difference in connecting quality candidates with relevant job opportunities on LinkedIn.
How to Get More Top Applicant Badges
Here are some pro tips to increase your chances of scoring those coveted top applicant badges on LinkedIn:
Apply to Newly Listed Jobs
Target job listings that have just been posted, as competition will be lower and your application has a better chance of immediately rising to the top.
Follow Companies Before They Post
Get a jump start by following employers you’re interested in so you see when they list new jobs first. Early applications tend to fare better.
Use Recruiter-Recommended Skills
Take note of the skills recruiters say they seek for a given role, and ensure your profile highlights skills that align. Lean into what they want to see.
Customize Your Profile for Each Job
Tweak your profile summary and other details to emphasize different qualifications for each application to appear an ideal match every time.
Apply from a Computer, Not Mobile
Data suggests that applications submitted via desktop perform better and are more likely to achieve top applicant status than quick mobile applies.
Mistakes to Avoid
Sidestep these common missteps to maximize your top applicant potential on LinkedIn:
Neglecting Your Profile
An incomplete or sparse profile fails to make the case for why you are a top candidate. Keep it robust, detailed and keyword optimized.
Using a Generic Summary
Summaries need to be tailored and relevant to each job application. Don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Being Too Casual
Avoid slang, shorthand or sloppy language. Present yourself professionally in proper sentences to get noticed.
Submitting Off-Target Applications
Only apply to jobs where you closely match the required qualifications. Irrelevant applications won’t rank highly regardless of badges on other listings.
Taking a Passive Approach
You need to be proactive in going after opportunities and optimize every part of your profile and strategy. Top applicants don’t sit back and wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about top applicant badges on LinkedIn:
How often are top applicant badges refreshed?
Badges are recalculated after every new application you submit. There is no set schedule, as it depends entirely on your activity.
Can you lose top applicant status?
Yes, your status can change as new applicants join the pool. You can also lose the badge if your profile is no longer a strong match for the role.
Do top applicants get interviewed faster?
In many cases yes, as recruiters make contacting top applicants a priority. But other factors like company scheduling also impact timelines.
Are percentages of top applicants the same for all jobs?
No, the bar for what percentage of applicants earn top status varies based on the applicant pool and hiring demand for each role.
Do recruiters see if you are a top applicant?
Absolutely. Top applicant badges are highlighted as a key signal to recruiters reviewing candidates in their applicant tracking systems.
Conclusion
Achieving LinkedIn’s top applicant status signifies your profile and application have what it takes to stand out from the competition. Invest time tailoring your profile, engaging with employers, and applying early and strategically. With the right approach, more top applicant badges could be within your reach, opening doors to new opportunities. The badge serves as external validation that you have the right skills and experience to excel in your next career move.