Job Search on LinkedIn: How to Keep It Secret?|Drjobpro.com

Job search on LinkedIn– I always ask myself, “Can my employer discover that I am looking for a job on LinkedIn? What will be his reaction if I comment “Interested” on any job opportunity? And how can I utilize my Linkedin account while keeping my search on LinkedIn secret?

Last Reviewed: April 2026 | Sources: DrJobPro Hiring Data Q1 2026.

In light of this, I tried to find answers to my questions, but
unfortunately, I saw thousands of tips here and there on the internet directed
to job seekers to highlight how LinkedIn is effective while searching for a
job.

These tips mainly revolve around creating a 100% complete Linkedin
profile, building a professional network, sharing valuable content, joining
industry-related groups, getting endorsements, following companies, and being
among the first applicants to a job that meets your qualifications and more.

Yet, I didn’t find answers to my questions. So, if you’re currently
employed and have a strong LinkedIn account, this content is designed for you
to help you get your perfect job without losing your current one.

The following 5 practical steps ensure your LinkedIn job search efforts
will get rewarded, yet your current employer will never discover.

Here’s how to keep your job search on LinkedIn secret while being employed!

Manage Your LinkedIn Feed Preferences Wisely

Whether you’re a LinkedIn expert or just a newcomer, you’ve to hide your
job search activity from your connections as a first step. You can do this from
the “Privacy Settings,” so your connection will never receive updates
regarding your activity in their feeds.

Honestly, it does not hide your activity from connections but from your
employer

• Log in to your account and
  click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. From the
  dropdown menu, select “Settings & Privacy.”
• In the middle of the
  screen, to the right of “Account,” select “Privacy.”
• Go to “How others see
  your LinkedIn activities” and scroll down.
• Select “No” for
  “Sharing profile edits.” People won’t be able to see “when you
  modify your profile, make recommendations, or follow companies” now.

This step will never affect your online visibility on LinkedIn, but it
will help you to keep your job search secret while turning off notifying your
employer.

Don’t Spread the Word

Spreading the word regarding your job search isn’t just by saying it
explicitly. So, don’t copy/paste or share any LinkedIn status that conveys that
you’re not happy with your current job or that you’re looking for a new
opportunity.

Instead, focus on showing your skills, qualifications, and interests
that will help you marinate a solid digital presence and personal brand.

Your LinkedIn profile is your marketing ad; exert your effort to sell
your skills for top companies without posting it explicitly.

Don’t publish any posts under the title of “looking for a job,”
not only on your account but also in the LinkedIn groups targeting job seekers.

This doesn’t mean you’ll neglect the importance of these groups. Yet,
you can post things that convey your skills and experience, and you can use
these groups to send messages to your potential employers secretively.

Like managing your feed, you have to manage your Linkedin groups’ visibility
so your current employer and coworkers can’t see.

To do so,

• Go to the group after
  joining, click on the “Setting” button.
• Un-check “Display the
  group logo.”

DO NOT seek LinkedIn endorsements from your current boss or coworkers.
You might inquire of former managers and coworkers, but be cautious if they are
still working for the same company. You can say, ” I would appreciate it
if you take some of your time to post your feedback about my work on my
LinkedIn endorsement section.”

Plan Your Strategic Visibility

Although you’re exerting your effort to keep your job search secret from
your current employer and colleagues, you need to ensure that you maximize your
visibility more and more to get noticed by recruiters and potential employers
without even applying for jobs.

So, how can you achieve is the first one people think about:

• Sign in, click on your name
  and click on “Settings & Privacy” in the dropdown menu.
• Select the “Privacy”
  button.
• Click “Edit your
  public profile” under “How others see your profile and network
  information,”
• Under Edit Visibility, the
  Public profile settings page set “Your profile’s public visibility”
  to On and choose Public for your Profile Photo.

Second, since other LinkedIn users can see who’s viewed their profile
and if your boss keeps looking at your LinkedIn profile, you need to think
about how you’ll appear here, depending on what profiles you view.

If you are viewing the current profiles of your coworkers to see what
they look like, you may want to show yourself anonymously.

However, if you are looking for recruiters or managers at target
companies, you may want to show yourself complete information to ask them to
take a look at your profile.

Either way, here’s how:

• Once logged into your
  account, click your name in the upper-right corner of the screen and click on “Settings
  and privacy.”
• Choose “Privacy”
  to the left of “Account” in the middle of the screen.
• Under “How others see
  your LinkedIn activity,” click “Profile viewing options.”
• Select “Your Name and
  Address” to be fully represented or select Private Mode to be completely
  anonymous.

Remember! Although “Open to opportunities” is an excellent
option while searching for a job, don’t activate it at all, as it’ll explicitly
convey that you’re looking for a new job.

Be Approachable

Noticing your LinkedIn profile is only a step before receiving your
interview invitation. To make it easy for recruiters to reach you, use your
official email and phone number and make sure that they are “Public”
on your account.

• Sign to your account, click
  on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, and click on “Settings
  & Privacy” in the dropdown menu.
• Choose “Communications”
  to the right of “Ads” in the middle of the screen.
• Select “Messages from
  members and partners,” set to Yes the toggle to “Allow others to send
  you InMail?”

You can increase your contact details visibility by mentioning them in
your “About” section and turning on the “Everyone on
LinkedIn” button from your “Privacy Settings.”

Second, don’t forget to allow fellow group members to send you direct
messages about new opportunities. Go to the group page, click on the gear wheel
settings icon and make sure that member messages are turned on.

Moreover, you can utilize LinkedIn’s “Premium Feature” and
allow others to send your messages without being among the 1s connection list.
You can add a “premium account” badge, so you maximize visibility.

Never Use Company Resources to Look for Jobs

Although it is crystal clear, I have to emphasize paying attention while
looking for a job. Don’t look for a job while being at the office, don’t tell
your coworker, and schedule the interview after or before your working hours.

You’re wholly watched; your internet activity, your voice messages, and
your side talks.

Your work contact details are for work needs only, don’t make your work
phone number your contact number on LinkedIn; what would it be if you receive a
call from an HR while your boss is beside you?

Your email is your personal mail only. Imagine receiving a job offer in
your work mail?  … You’ll lose your
current and future job as well.

To Conclude,

If you plan, you can successfully find your next job on LinkedIn without
jeopardizing your current position. All you have to do is identify the target
employers, build your brand, and decide how to reach them directly and
confidentially as well.

With a little more effort, attention, and caution, you’ll take your
career to the next level.

What else can you do on LinkedIn?

• 20 Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers
• I Always Get Replies From Recruiters On LinkedIn – Here’s How
• 3 Easy Steps for Keeping in Touch Professionally With Your LinkedIn Connections

Have you ever tried to look for a job while being employed? Have you succeeded or Caught?

If you’re looking for more privacy while looking for your new opportunity,

Frequently Asked Questions

Manage Your LinkedIn Feed Preferences Wisely

Whether you’re a LinkedIn expert or just a newcomer, you’ve to hide your
job search activity from your connections as a first step. You can do this from
the “Privacy Settings,” so your connection will never receive updates
regarding your activity in

Don’t Spread the Word

Spreading the word regarding your job search isn’t just by saying it
explicitly. So, don’t copy/paste or share any LinkedIn status that conveys that
you’re not happy with your current job or that you’re looking for a new
opportunity.

Plan Your Strategic Visibility

Although you’re exerting your effort to keep your job search secret from
your current employer and colleagues, you need to ensure that you maximize your
visibility more and more to get noticed by recruiters and potential employers
without even applyi

Be Approachable

Noticing your LinkedIn profile is only a step before receiving your
interview invitation. To make it easy for recruiters to reach you, use your
official email and phone number and make sure that they are “Public”
on your account.

Never Use Company Resources to Look for Jobs

Although it is crystal clear, I have to emphasize paying attention while
looking for a job. Don’t look for a job while being at the office, don’t tell
your coworker, and schedule the interview after or before your working hours.