Career Lab Dispatch

Hey crew, this week we’re cutting through the noise and focusing on what actually moves the job search forward.

No buzzwords, just clear shifts you can use: If your LinkedIn job search feels noisy, repetitive, or inefficient, it’s usually not because you’re doing something wrong — it’s because LinkedIn’s default settings aren’t designed to optimize for job seekers.

A few small adjustments can dramatically improve the quality of roles you see and your chances of being noticed.

Let’s dive in.

LinkedIn Job Search
🌎 Real world tips you can apply today

1. Stop Using “Most Relevant”

LinkedIn automatically sorts job listings by Most Relevant. This often prioritizes older or sponsored roles rather than newly posted ones.

Switching to Most Recent ensures you’re seeing the newest openings first.

Why this matters: recruiters typically review applications in the order they’re received. Applying early can be the difference between getting reviewed and getting buried under hundreds of applicants. It’s not personal — it’s volume.

How to find it:
All Filters → Sort By → Most Recent

2. Use Quotation Marks to Clean Up Your Search

If your search results are filled with loosely related titles, try using quotation marks around exact phrases.

For example, searching for “Senior Customer Success Manager” will only return roles with that exact wording in the title. This is especially helpful in functions where titles vary widely across companies.

The result: fewer irrelevant roles and a more focused, efficient search.

3. Surface Roles Where Your Network Can Help

LinkedIn allows you to filter for roles that are:

• Under 10 applicants

• At companies where someone in your network works

These filters help you identify newer postings and uncover opportunities where a warm introduction or referral may be possible.

This is one of the fastest ways to shift from cold applications to higher-conversion outreach.

4. Automate the Search with Job Alerts

Once you’ve dialed in your filters, set a job alert.

LinkedIn will notify you when a new role matching your criteria is posted or reposted. This allows you to apply quickly without spending hours searching manually.

A good rule of thumb is to keep 3–5 alerts active to avoid inbox overload.

These are foundational habits I teach every Career Lab client. They take minutes to set up but save hours each week — and they materially improve response rates.

If you want a short walkthrough showing exactly how to set this up, you can watch it here:
https://www.loom.com/share/01cdfe123da54df0974c252d1271a398

As always, if you have questions about structuring your search or want a second set of eyes, feel free to reach out. Career Lab exists to make the job search clearer, more efficient, and far less frustrating.