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Issue #4: How to Use LinkedIn to Get More UX Interviews (Even Before Jobs Are Posted)

LinkedIn is often seen as just a place to apply for jobs, but it can also be a powerful tool for landing interviews before a job is even posted.

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In this issue, I’ll show you how to use LinkedIn to get on the radar of hiring managers and recruiters, allowing you to be ahead of the competition when they create a job opening.

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Here’s how top candidates like Alex are using LinkedIn to proactively create opportunities and land UX interviews.

Alex’s Struggle: The Silent Job Search

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Alex, a talented UX designer, was stuck. Despite having solid experience and a great portfolio, after months of applying to roles on job boards, Alex wasn’t getting any responses. Her applications were going unnoticed, and she couldn’t understand why.

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She thought she was doing everything right - until she realized she wasn’t showing up in the right places. When Alex shifted her focus to LinkedIn, everything changed.

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How to Stand Out on LinkedIn and Get Noticed by Hiring Managers

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Alex had always treated LinkedIn as a secondary job application tool and spent as little time as possible on it. However, after realizing many job seekers were using it to network and successfully land jobs, she decided to focus more on using it to demonstrate her expertise and build connections.

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The key was positioning herself as a valuable asset before anyone even knew they needed her. She started by leveling up her profile and, once it was ready, engaging with the right people.

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Here’s how you can do the same:

1. Optimize Your Profile with Purpose

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Alex’s LinkedIn profile was solid, but it wasn’t showcasing her problem-solving abilities in a way that would attract recruiters and hiring managers. Here’s how she improved it:

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• Headline: She changed her headline from “UX Designer” to “UX Designer | Specializing in Mobile App Design & User-Centered Solutions.”

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• Summary: She revamped her summary to include specific accomplishments: “I improved user retention by 30% in a mobile app redesign at [Previous Company] by implementing [X process]. My goal is to turn any flow into a seamless, intuitive experience that drives user engagement.”

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• Skills & Endorsements: She reached out to past colleagues for endorsements, ensuring the skills they highlighted were aligned with what hiring managers were looking for.

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2. Engage with Hiring Managers Before They Post a Job

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Alex shifted from passively applying to jobs to actively seeking out connections. She no longer waited for job postings to appear - she started making direct connections with decision-makers at companies she admired.

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Comment on Posts from Hiring Managers & Recruiters:
​ Alex understood that LinkedIn isn’t just for applying; it’s a platform for meaningful engagement. She made sure to comment on hiring managers’ posts with relevant, insightful, and specific information. For example:

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• Hiring Manager’s Post: "Excited about microinteractions! It looks like they are really making a big impact this year. What’s your experience with incorporating them into your designs?"

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• Alex’s Comment: "Microinteractions have been a game-changer in improving user engagement! I recently implemented them in a mobile app redesign to provide real-time feedback during the checkout process. It helped users feel more in control, leading to a 25% increase in conversions. I’d love to connect and share some ideas on how they can enhance product experiences."
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These types of comments were specific, confident, and demonstrated Alex’s expertise, which helped her get noticed by hiring managers.

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3. Send Personalized Connection Requests

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Alex found a UX hiring manager at a startup she was excited about. Instead of sending a generic connection request like this:
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“Hi [Name],

I’d love to connect and expand my network with other professionals in the industry. Looking forward to connecting!”
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she wrote a message like this:

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“Hi [Name], I saw your team is hiring for a UX designer. I’ve worked on optimizing mobile app flows to improve conversion rates, and I’d love to connect to learn more about your team's design challenges.”

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This message is specific, confident, and aligned with the hiring manager’s needs. Within two weeks, Alex had three interviews lined up - none of which came from job boards.

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Direct Outreach to Hiring Managers: How to Make the First Move

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Alex didn’t wait for hiring managers to find her - she reached out directly. Her approach wasn’t about asking for a job; it was about showcasing her value to potential employers.

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Before:

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​ “Hi [Name], I’m a UX designer looking for new opportunities. Let me know if you have any openings.”

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After:

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​ “Hi [Name], I saw you’re hiring for a UX designer. I’ve worked on mobile app redesigns, improving UX and increasing engagement by 25%. I’d love to connect and learn more about your team’s current design needs.”

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This message was tailored, confident, and directly demonstrated Alex’s value. It made the hiring manager want to respond.

The Result: How Alex Landed Her UX Role

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After implementing the steps above, Alex’s job search turned around completely.

With a more strategic LinkedIn profile, proactive engagement with hiring managers, and personalized outreach, she began securing interviews in a matter of weeks. Her efforts led to a UX job offer at a leading tech startup.

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Her biggest takeaway? “LinkedIn is not just for applying. It’s about making meaningful connections and showing up where decision-makers can see your value.”

Your Action Plan: Start Using LinkedIn to Get Interviews Today

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Now that you’ve seen how Alex turned her job search around, it’s your turn! Here’s what you can do right now to start getting noticed on LinkedIn:

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• Optimize your LinkedIn profile to highlight your problem-solving skills and key accomplishments.
• Send personalized connection requests to decision-makers at companies you admire.
• Engage with hiring managers by commenting on posts and sharing your insights.

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Ready to Take It to the Next Level?

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If you’re ready to go deeper into your LinkedIn strategy and job search, Level Up will guide you through every step of the process. From optimizing your LinkedIn profile to networking and securing interviews, Level Up covers everything you need to accelerate your job search.

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To help you take that next step, I'm offering an exclusive 30% discount on Level Up - but don’t wait! This deal is only available for a limited time.

​Claim your discount and start leveling up today!​

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Not Ready for the Full Course?

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If you're not quite ready for the full Level Up course but want to start improving your resume or LinkedIn profile, you can begin with my Udemy course, which covers essential resume-building strategies at your own pace. It's a great starting point for refining the key elements of your UX job search and getting noticed.

What’s Stopping You from Getting Noticed on LinkedIn?

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Have you ever tried reaching out directly to hiring managers on LinkedIn? What was your experience? Hit reply and let me know - I read and respond to every message and would love to help you make a difference in your job search.

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This deal ends soon! If you're ready to take your UX job search to the next level, secure your spot today before this 30% discount runs out!

Until next time,​
David Campana

Level^Up
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P.S. In the next issue, I'll share actionable tips for creating a standout UX portfolio, even if you’re just starting out. Stay tuned for strategies that will help your portfolio make a lasting impression!