How to Use LinkedIn to Boost Your Job Search: A Guide for Job Seekers and Supporters

For job seekers with intellectual or developmental disabilities—and the people who support them—tools like LinkedIn and MyJobMatch.ca  offer a powerful way to explore opportunities, connect with employers, and build confidence. With over 27 million Canadians on LinkedIn, it’s become one of the most important places to be when you’re job hunting.

Step 1: Build a Strong LinkedIn Profile

Think of your LinkedIn profile as your professional landing page. It’s often the first thing employers look at, even before an interview. A strong profile includes:

• A professional photo: A clear, friendly headshot goes a long way.
  
• A headline: Use a simple phrase that explains what you’re looking for (e.g., “Motivated and Reliable Worker Seeking Customer Service Role”).
  
• An About/Summary section: Write 2–3 sentences about who you are, what you’re good at, and what kind of work you enjoy.
  
• Experience section: Add any jobs, volunteer work, school co-ops, or training programs you’ve completed.
  
• Visual content: Include photos from events, projects, or job fairs if available.
  
• Recommendations: Ask a teacher, job coach, or employer to write a short recommendation about your work ethic or skills.
  

Step 2: Keep Your Profile Updated

Just like a resume, your LinkedIn profile should be updated whenever something changes, like contact information, work experience, or new skills. It shows employers that you’re active and motivated.

Step 3: Post and Share Content

You don’t have to post every day, but sharing once or twice a week shows that you’re engaged. Some ideas:

• Share a photo or story from a job fair or placement
  
• Talk about what you’re learning on the job
  
• Celebrate a milestone or a certificate you earned
  
• Share a job-related article and comment on it
  

Use 2–3 hashtags to help others find your post (e.g., #JobSeekers, #InclusiveHiring, #CustomerService).

Step 4: Connect With Employers

The best way to grow your network is to engage with employers directly. Here’s how:

• Search for businesses you’re interested in
  
• Like and comment on posts by managers or company pages
  
• Send a personalized message when you request to connect
  
• Reach out to 5–6 employers a day to build momentum
  

This shows initiative and helps you stay top-of-mind when a position opens up.

Step 5: Combine LinkedIn with MyJobMatch

Use MyJobMatch.ca to apply for inclusive jobs that fit your interests and skills, and then use LinkedIn to:

• Learn more about the companies you’re applying to
  
• Connect with hiring managers
  
• Share your MyJobMatch successes and progress
  

Together, these platforms give you a strong online presence and a targeted job search strategy.

Step 6: Track Your Progress

Create a simple daily or weekly checklist:

• Number of profile visits
  
• Connection requests sent
  
• Posts liked or commented on
  
• Messages sent to employers
  

Tracking small actions keeps you focused and builds confidence as you go.

LinkedIn may feel intimidating at first, but with the right support and guidance, it can become one of your most powerful tools for building a career. Combined with MyJobMatch and your employment services team, you’re not just job hunting—you’re building a professional network, telling your story, and opening doors.

Looking for a job can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re trying to explain to someone why you (or your family member) would be a great fit. One thing we’ve found helpful is preparing for conversations with employers like it’s a sales pitch.

That doesn’t mean we’re trying to “sell” something. It means we’re getting ready to clearly and confidently explain what we bring to the table.

Here’s what we do:

We Get Clear on What We’re Asking For

Before reaching out to anyone, we decide what we’re looking for. Is it a paid job? A volunteer opportunity? A short trial? Being clear helps us explain things better and makes it easier for the person we’re speaking with to understand.

We Learn a Little About the Workplace

If we’re approaching a business, we try to find out what they do. That way, we can think about how our skills and interests might be helpful to them. For example, if a business deals with a lot of deliveries, we might mention that we’re organized and good at sorting.

We Talk About Strengths

Instead of focusing on challenges, we talk about what we’re good at — like being dependable, friendly, or good at routines. We give real examples to show how these strengths might help at work.

We Bring Something to Leave Behind

We often bring a short profile or resume. It’s one page that describes who we are, what we enjoy, and what kind of work we’re looking for. It shows we’re serious and gives them something to remember us by.

We Practice What to Say

Before we talk to someone new, we practice. This helps build confidence and makes it easier to speak up when we’re nervous. Sometimes we write out what we want to say, so we can review it ahead of time.

We’re Ready for Questions

We think about what someone might ask and try to prepare answers. If we’ll need support on the job, we explain that clearly and let them know we have a plan — they won’t have to figure it out alone.

We Believe in the Value We Bring

It’s not always easy to hear “no,” but we try not to let that stop us. We know we have something to offer, and we remind ourselves that work is about more than money — it’s about being part of the community, learning, and growing.

We may do things differently, and that’s okay. What matters most is showing up, being proud of our abilities, and helping others see our potential.