For those who have not yet begun their marketing journey with LinkedIn, the concept is simple; you create an account and a profile, in a similar way to any other networking site. The site is designed specifically for the use of professionals, who can gain contacts, market themselves, and find jobs.

LinkedIn has provided users with the most potent professional networking service imaginable. With over 150 million members, it is still growing at a phenomenal rate. The platform is brimming with a

world of professionals, employers, and savvy job hunters. Members often operate in the public eye, but there are some occasions which call for stealth mode!

Sometimes it will be necessary for a member to search for jobs without revealing increased activity on their profile. The most glaring example of this, is when a member does not want their current

employee to see that they are searching for a new job! During these times it might be necessary to switch to stealth mode!

While there is no ‘stealth mode’ option on LinkedIn, it does provide every option you need to stay under the radar, whilst still allowing exposure. Sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? Here is how:

1. Hide Activity Updates: Activity updates are a great way to create exposure. When seeking a job in stealth mode it is possible to turn this option off; this is possible by going to settings,then privacy control, and turning activity broadcasts off. With this setting off, users can make changes to their profile without alerting their employers!

2. Become Anonymous: There are several options which determine whether potential employers can see activity related to users’ job searches. By becoming anonymous, users can stalk away,without letting anybody know they are interested. Go to settings, privacy control, control what others can see when you’ve viewed their profile. Be sure to hide connections and updates when connecting with a recruiter so as to maintain your anonymity.

This can be useful if searching for information on a potential job with someone who might know the current employer.

3. Make Gradual Changes: Making dramatic changes quickly will surely alert a weary employer. Make changes gradually so as to not pull up the red flag. The final, and perhaps most difficult change to make, is the Summary section.

Try mentioning current employers in this section whilst implying honest interest in expanding knowledge and contacts in the given profession. Diplomatic wording does not overlook the current employer, whilst simultaneously catching the attention of potential new ones.

4. Join New Groups with Discretion: Always join groups that are linked with the profession you are interested in, and that are aimed at growth and learning. These groups may also be where the target companies reside; but joining groups is completely innocent, and doesn’t necessarily imply job seeking behaviour. It should also be noted that its wise decision to join a mix of generic, and specific groups, in order to blur your intentions, whilst putting yourself out there.

If required there is an option to join groups with a private membership. In edit mode, scroll down to groups. It is possible to choose for each individual group, whether it is shown on the profile, or hidden. In a stealth job search groups related directly to new employers, or to a new industry the searcher is planning to transition to, can be hidden from present employers.

5. Contact People Privately: Sharing ideas, and links, and questions which relate to a job search can be incredibly beneficial for exposure. However, in a stealthy search it may be wiser to contact connections privately. Approaching a respected connection for advice may lead to an offer, or at least some help with where to look.

It is possible to gain exposure, whilst keeping a low profile on job searching. One way to achieve this is by having LinkedIn, linkedIn! Connecting it to other social networking sites, to recognized blogs, and to websites displaying work, will raise the user’s publicity.

Another technique is to use keywords on the profile, which are related to the area of job search. The profile will then appear more when employers are searching for potential applicants. Adding a visual resume in the website section is another tip that one must explore. This allows potential employers who have found your profile to see what you can offer and a visual resume assures that they remain hooked to your resume longer than usual.

Remember that these features are for the purpose of searching for jobs in stealth mode. If the user is not concerned for this privacy, it is highly recommended to leave all activity public for the sake of maximum exposure. And remember, turn off these options when it is all over; LinkedIn is not as functional when a member’s activity is invisible. Happy job hunting!