Every day I teach job seekers that you must have a LinkedIn profile if you are looking for a job. It’s one of the first points of reference and/or contact for most recruiters seeking good candidates for the jobs they have to fill.

So if you are unemployed and seeking a job, have a LinkedIn profile, massage it towards perfection and work hard on the 4 Cs of engagement (Contribute, Collaborate, Connect & Cram)

If you are actively working and looking for a new job, you will need to do the same thing, despite all of your fears. I know, I’ve heard it over and over, you are afraid that your boss is going to see what you are doing.

This is true, so here are a few tips that can mitigate this fear by reducing the LinkedIn job search work your boss sees.

1. Review your existing LinkedIn Profile and write down all of the updates, corrections and work that you want to do to it first. Turn off Activity Broadcasts (under settings, Privacy Control) and then make all of the changes and profile additions you want to make. Once you are done, Turn Activity Broadcasts back on.
2. Don’t change your Industry so fast. If you are working in the Education Industry and change your Profile to Marketing, you are likely to be called into the corner office for a “discussion.” You can share your passion and experience in the Marketing industry in your summary, skills and experience area of your LinkedIn Profile. Not changing your industry will limit your exposure some, but I suggest you leave it as is for the sake of the current job & the relevant revenue.
3. You will need to join groups relevant to the job search you are on. However, you don’t want your boss to see you contributing and collaborating in these Groups. Under Your Settings in these groups, make sure the check box is unchecked for “Display the group logo on your profile.” Your Boss won’t see these groups on your profile.
4. Keep connecting, even with folks outside of  your company and/or industry. This is called Networking and your boss should appreciate that you are working on building broad and diverse connections. Just be careful to keep your connection activity broad and diverse, otherwise you may be called into the corner office for a chat.
5. Don’t just use LinkedIn to find that new job. You will need to continue the LinkedIn 4C work in the area that you are still working in. Engage in the areas relevant to your current job. Don’t get so one sided that you again get called into the office.

Remember, you have a job and you obviously like the revenue it provides you or you’d quit it to focus 100% of your time on your job search. So, don’t risk the job for the sake of finding a new one. Put balance in your day and the balance better be mostly towards your current job.

If you are employed and you want some confidential help with your LinkedIn Profile, Networking activity and/or other areas of Social Media to help you find that next great Job – give me a call.  I know how to help you.

Email me @ TLBurriss@NCWiseman.com or call me @ (336) 462-8827 and let’s put together a Job Search program that will help you achieve your career goals.