According to a Lending Tree survey, 39% of Americans want to move to a new location in 2022. If your move entails a job search, make your new city your LinkedIn location.
And don’t put your address on your resume.
Companies Love Local Candidates
Locations and addresses matter because most hiring managers want to hire local candidates.
Here’s why:
- Surveys consistently find that C-level executives want employees back in the office post-pandemic.
- Companies don’t have to spend money to move non-local candidates.
- Relocated employees present turnover risks.
When a company relocates a new hire, there’s a chance they won’t like their new location.
Moves can also cause family problems when spouses or kids are unhappy in a new city.
That often makes for a short-term employee. Why? Because unhappy family members issue ultimatums about moving back home.
Thus, for the factors mentioned above, many employers shy away from national searches. They often start with local searches. They only look beyond their area when they can’t find good local candidates.
Recruiters Restrict Their LinkedIn Searches by Area
That means they limit their LinkedIn searches by metropolitan areas and zip codes.
So, if you don’t code your profile with your aspirational location, they will NEVER find you. And that doesn’t help you get a job before you move.
Case History
I worked with an engineer who wanted to move from North Carolina to Southern California.
We talked about which LinkedIn location to use for him – North Carolina or San Diego.
He chose North Carolina because he didn’t want to signal his boss that he wanted to move to San Diego.
He called me after a few weeks and said he wasn’t getting any play for jobs in Southern California.
Then, he decided to take a risk with his boss and change his LinkedIn location to San Diego. Almost immediately, he had a new job in Southern California.
The recruiter found him via LinkedIn.
As my italics highlight, that strategy involved some risk. In my client’s case, moving was more important to him than the risk. He prepared himself to perhaps field some awkward questions from his boss.
You have to decide what works for you.
You Must Be Findable by Your Target Employers
If you want to change jobs, you must be findable on LinkedIn.
Post-Publication Update
Check the comments below for Sergio Avila’s note and my response. We talk about a new LinkedIn feature that lets you note desired locations on your LinkedIn profile.
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Image: dizain
Updated May 2022
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Donna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, authors all of AvidCareerist’s posts.
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Comments 16
I wish LinkedIn would address this issue for people searching in multiple geographies.
Once again, I hear that disturbingly hollow thud when I apply my palm to my head! It’s one of those ‘of course’ techniques that few people have heard of. Thanks, Donna.
And Jono’s comment is right on target, too.
Andy
Donna-While I agree with your logic and thinking, being deceitful with regard to your location should not be something that is encouraged any more than providing deceitful information on your resume………..
Howard,
I appreciate your perspective.
However, my client’s profile showed him located in San Diego and working in North Carolina.
Recruiters know to ask about that type of inconsistency.
If he hadn’t shown a San Diego location, he would not have gotten the job. Showing a San Diego location didn’t read as deceitful to his new employer.
Thank you,
Donna
I would love to move to a different city, but my parents are aging, and I’d prefer to be about 3 miles from them instead of 3,000 miles. Also, I don’t have the money at this time to make such a move.
You’ll be glad you stayed close to your parents Greg. Donna
Hi Howard,
I appreciate your comment. There are many instances in a job search where one has to use their judgment about what constitutes deceit. This is one of those. Recruiters often search LinkedIn by location. If they can’t find you, no one is served well. It would be nice if LinkedIn would offer a “Desired Work Location” field with the opportunity to plug in several choices. Until they do, this is a BPA (best possible alternative).
I’m curious to hear what others think about this. Deceit? Practical? Other opinions? Other options?
Kind regards,
Donna
Thank you Andy…but I don’t think you’re face palming very often. I ALWAYS value your insights. Donna
I hear you Jono! Donna
Agreed. I just did this. We’ll see how my story ends and if it proves as successful as the story above. I’m getting nothing when applying for jobs I’m sure I’m qualified. *crosses fingers*
TR,
Wishing you the best!
Donna
Why after 2 years is LinkedIn still sending me jobs for Princton, NJ even though I have updated my info to the greater Boston area?
Richard,
LinkedIn has so many code quirks…it’s hard to say.
Best,
Donna
LinkedIn has a “what locations are you interested in” option, but i would know if this affects the search by location a recruiter use
Hi Sergio,
That’s a good point.
If a recruiter finds your profile through a Premium LinkedIn Recruiter account, they can find you via locations you have specified as of interest to you.
But be aware that the vast majority of the 1+ million recruiters on LinkedIn don’t pay for a Premium account.
Here’s how to activate location specifications:
1. Click “Me.”
2. Click “Settings & Privacy.”
3. Click “Privacy.”
4. Click “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities.”
5. Set the toggle to “Yes.”
6. Click “Update career interests.”
7. Add locations to “What locations would you work in?”
Say you live in New York but would work in Washington DC. My guess is this that this will let recruiters who have a Premium Recruiter account know that you would relocate. They can probably also do an independent search for people who already live in the Washington DC area.
Thank you,
Donna
Addition, 6/8/18:
I asked my friend, Marvin Smith, Super Recruiter at Lockheed Martin, about location search features in LI Recruiter. Here’s what he said:
“LinkedIn Recruiter has a search field under locations that allows for 3 types of filtering. Either “current only” “current or open to relocate” “open to relocate only.”
Thus, if you specify locations, be sure to list ALL locations that interest you. If you’ll stay put, list your current location and others you’ll consider.
Donna,
I was unaware of this area of LinkedIn.
Thank you very much!
Lee Hearn
Lee,
It takes a community to unpack LinkedIn!
Donna