Sharing job postings on LinkedIn can be a great way to help your connections find new opportunities. However, it’s important to share them thoughtfully, provide context, and showcase why the job may be a good fit for your network. In this article, we’ll explore tips on what to say when sharing a job on LinkedIn.
Why Share Job Postings on LinkedIn?
Here are some of the key reasons to share job postings:
- Help your connections find new roles
- Show that you want to support your network’s career growth
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and top companies
- Expand the reach of the job posting beyond the posting company’s followers
- Potentially get a referral bonus if someone you shared with applies and gets hired
Overall, sharing jobs provides value to your network and builds your brand as an influencer in your industry.
Ask Permission Before Sharing
If you want to share a job from a connection’s company, it’s courteous to ask them before posting it publicly. They may prefer to keep the opening low-key or have other reasons to not blast it out to your whole network.
Only Share Relevant Opportunities
Avoid spamming your connections with every job ad you come across. Instead, only share ones that seem truly relevant for your audience based on their skills, experience, and interests. This selectivity will make your shares more useful.
What to Include When Sharing a Posting
When composing your post to share a job ad on LinkedIn, here are some tips on what to include:
1. Link to the Original Job Posting
Paste the link to the external job posting instead of just listing details in your post text. This lets viewers click through to apply or learn more. The job website will also gain better SEO juice when shared publicly on LinkedIn.
2. Company Name and Job Title
List the employer name and position title up front, as these details will catch viewers’ attention right away if it’s a notable company or interesting role.
3. Brief Role Overview
Give a short 1-3 sentence summary of what the open position entails. You can slightly customize this from the original posting to highlight aspects you think would appeal to your audience.
4. Top Qualifications
List 3-5 key qualifications the ideal candidate should have. This gives viewers a sense of whether they’d be a good fit.
5. Location
Specify the job’s location or clarify if it’s remote. Location can be a key factor in whether someone will consider applying.
6. Context on Why You’re Sharing
Give 1-2 sentences explaining why you think the role is a great opportunity worth applying for. Share insights on the company, team, or past experience if you have it.
7. Call to Action
Include a statement encouraging viewers to apply or contact you for referrals. This drives them to take action.
Here is an example post incorporating the above elements:
Sample Post
Exciting Job Opportunity – Senior UX Designer at Airbnb (San Francisco or Remote)
Airbnb is looking for a talented Senior UX Designer to join their product design team. You’ll work on key projects shaping the future of their platform and customer experiences.
Ideal candidates have 5+ years of UX design experience, expertise in user research and rapid prototyping, and a stellar portfolio demonstrating impact and visual design skills.
This is a unique chance to make your mark at one of the most innovative tech companies defining the future of travel. Airbnb’s design culture and working on such a purpose-driven product inspire amazing work!
If you or someone you know may be a good fit, view the full job description and apply here: [Link to job posting]
Let me know if you have any interest and I’m happy to refer you!
Key Takeaways
- Include link to apply
- List company/role details
- Summarize position briefly
- Highlight key qualifications
- Note location expectations
- Share context on why it’s a great opportunity
- End with a call to action
Customizing Your Post by Audience
To make your job sharing even more effective, consider customizing your post messaging depending on who you hope will see it.
For General Network
If sharing the post broadly across your whole LinkedIn network, focus on selling the key details – employer brand, position title, location, qualifications, and application link. Provide just enough context to entice viewers but keep it concise.
For Specific Contacts
If you want to catch the eye of 1-2 specific people in your network, customize the post further to explain why you think it would be a great fit specifically for them. Call out their relevant skills and experience for the role and convey why you think they’d thrive at the company. Make it feel personal.
For Group Shares
When sharing the job posting in LinkedIn Groups related to the industry or function, tailor your message to that community’s interests and perspectives. Call out details and perks that would uniquely appeal to Group members compared to a general audience.
For Educated Referrals
If posting to educate your network about an opening at your own company, give deeper behind-the-scenes details on why it’s compelling. Share insider knowledge of what makes the team and work environment great. List any referral perks you can offer them.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when sharing job postings:
Do…
- Ask permission from the hiring company first if needed
- Only share openings highly relevant for your network
- Include key details like employer, role, location
- Provide helpful context if you have insider knowledge
- Customize your post messaging depending on the audience
Don’t…
- Blast irrelevant openings that don’t match your audience
- Simply copy/paste the full original job description
- Post too frequently – share only your top picks
- Forget a clear call to action to apply
Following these tips will boost the quality of your job shares and make them more helpful resources for your network.
Sample Job Share Posts
Here are some full example posts modeling great job sharing etiquette:
For General Network
Exciting Sr Product Manager role open at Facebook in Menlo Park, CA! Ideal candidate has 7+ yrs PM experience, track record delivering innovative consumer-facing products, and expertise in mobile app dev and user engagement. Huge opportunity to make an impact at one of the top tech companies. Learn more and apply here: [Link to Facebook job posting]
For Specific Connections
Hey [Name], hope you’ve been well! Came across this opening for a Director of Software Engineering at Square and immediately thought you would be a fantastic fit given your strong background leading eng teams at high-growth startups. The unicorn potential plus Square’s focus on financial inclusion could make for an exciting next step. Let me know if you want me to make a warm intro! Here’s the posting: [Link]
For Group Share
Thought this Marketing Manager role at Netflix would be great for this group given the cutting-edge data analytics and attribution modeling work involved. Looks like an amazing chance to gain experience marketing original streaming content to a global audience. Streaming is the future! Details here for anyone interested: [Link]
For Internal Referral
My team at Airbnb is hiring a Product Designer to join our growing UX team. Incredible opportunity to shape the experience for millions of users! Our designers love the collaborative culture and autonomy to take big risks and push innovation. Plus we’ve got referral bonuses up to $5k! Ideal candidate has 3+ yrs in UX design roles. Please send talented people my way and feel free to reach out with any questions! Apply here: [Link]
Following Up After Sharing
Don’t forget to follow up with people after you’ve shared a relevant job posting with them. Here are some tips for the follow-up:
- Ask if they have any questions about the role or company
- Offer to make introductions to the hiring manager or internal employees
- Check in to see if they’re interested in applying and provide any support
- Follow up again after the application deadline to see if they got an interview
This extra effort can help them put their best foot forward with applying and interviewing. Plus it builds goodwill and your brand as someone who goes the extra mile to support your network’s career growth.
Even if a specific opening isn’t the right next move, they’ll remember you tried to connect them to an appealing opportunity. Follow-ups also give you a chance to get helpful referral insights that aid future job searches.
Key Takeaways
- Ask if they have any questions on the role or company
- Offer to make introductions to aid the application process
- Check in to see if they plan to apply and offer support
- Follow up again after application deadline for interview update
Being proactive with follow-ups shows you fully support your connections in finding the right opportunities.
Conclusion
Sharing job postings on LinkedIn is a great way to add value for your network while also expanding the hiring reach for companies. But thoughtful messaging and customization make a difference in how effective your job shares will be.
Follow the guidance in this article to craft compelling posts – highlighting key details, framing why it’s a great fit and chance, and speaking directly to the interests of your target audience. Customize your messaging for the specific people and groups you want to reach.
Then be sure to follow up after you share to provide additional support during the application and interview process. With this approach, you’ll become known as a trusted resource for career opportunities while helping your talented connections land impactful new roles.