Linkedin has become a must in any professional career. Whether it is to maintain your network, enhance your expertise or keep informed of the trends in your sector, being present is as important today as having a business card in the 2000s. But here it is: updating your profile can send a clear signal to your employer. That of departure. So how do you care for this window without awakening suspicion? Here are the rules of an up to date profile, but not too much.
The signals that betray a desire to leave
Certain behaviors on LinkedIn immediately alert experienced managers – or colleagues a little too curious:
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- The sudden change in profile photo, especially if it is more formal.
- A series of visible modifications: title of positions, missions, routes.
- The exploding activity: Likes of recruiters, posts on mobility or conversion.
- The appearance of a new grip of the type “in search of new challenges”.
These signals are not perceived as neutral. In a sensitive or unstable environment, they can even be interpreted as an imminent desire for initial.
Update without being noticed: discreet mode activated
First rule: Disable profile modifications notifications. This is done in a few clicks in the parameters, but it is the base.
Second rule: split changes. No need to update everything in an evening. Better proceed in small touches: a skill added here, a certification there.
Third rule: stay sober in formulations. Better to avoid the words that are too connoted (“challenge”, “open to opportunities”, “in active standby”) and favor results and context -oriented descriptions.
What you can do without fear
It is completely legitimate to update certain parts of your profile without sending alarm signals:
- Missions and projects : detail a recent achievement, by valuing collective work. More is an active search indicator, too much a red flag.
- SKILLS : add new ones, especially if they are related to your current position.
- Training : Indicate continuous training followed recently, a MOOC or a certificate.
- Sectoral interactions : Comment on content related to your field, without mentioning the job search.
Linkedin is not a CV (and that’s good)
A frequent error is to transform its LinkedIn profile into a consistent copy of its CV. However, the two have neither the same function nor the same audience. The CV is an application document, personalized according to the offer. Linkedin is a public space. He must reflect a trajectory, a professional posture, visible expertise. The objective: make you want to know more, not to say everything.
Delete without excess
He owes show your current role, key responsibilities and perimeterwithout falling into exaggeration or hollow jargon. The objective is that a visitor understands What you make, what type of contact interests you, and how to join.
Three elements to make explicit:
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- Your role in the company : What are you doing concretely on a daily basis?
- The type of interaction you are looking for : sectoral watch, experience sharing, connection, transverse projects …
- The favorite contact mode : Linkedin message, professional email, or other.
A discreet example in the “Info” section:
“I accompany the data and produced teams on the transformation of internal tools. Open to exchanges around the automation of trades workflows. Contact me by LinkedIn message. »»
Your profile must speak for you (and to those you are targeting)
Your LinkedIn profile is a filter. It attracts – or regrows – certain types of contacts. It’s up to you to decide who you wish to touch: recruiters, experts from your sector, colleagues from other companies, investors … What you choose to highlight-projects, keywords, publications-guides perception. A good profile makes you want to dialogue, not to recruit you immediately.
Build an ambitious profile … without appearing unstable
The right positioning is that of the engaged expert, not from the fleeing employee. It is possible to be active, curious, connected, without giving the impression of looking for the outing.
Some key formulations:
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- “Passionate about the impact of AI in law professions”
- “Active member of the Product Community in France”
- “I gladly exchange with those who are interested in HR innovation”
The tone must remain neutral, turned towards sharing knowledge or the desire to learn.
Bonus: recruiters’ techniques (and how to anticipate them)
Recruiters know how to spot a moving profile. They scrutinize:
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- Recent updating of the “Info” section
- Addition of crossed recommendations with former colleagues
- Weak signals in keywords or publications
It’s up to you to return this to your advantage: a well -kept profile, updated in small touches, gives off credibility. And puts you in an active professional posture, not unstable.
Putting your LinkedIn profile up to date is a healthy reflex. But in a world of work still marked by implicit loyalty and weak signals, it is better to know how to dose. Neither invisible nor too seeing: strategic updating is an art. That of making yourself visible … without being noticed. Good May 1st!
