How to Use LinkedIn to Grow Your Career in 2026

That said, you don’t need to become a LinkedIn super user to benefit. If you’re like me, you might be trying to limit your time spent on social media and the idea of investing even more time into LinkedIn might not be appealing. That’s okay! Many people do very well with a solid baseline presence. Others decide to lean in more heavily and see bigger returns. Both approaches are valid.

What matters is being intentional. Below, I break LinkedIn use into three levels: the bare minimum, the middle user, and the super user. Start where it feels manageable and build from there.

Level 1: The Bare Minimum on LinkedIn in 2026

This is what you need in place so LinkedIn actually works for you, especially as a newcomer.

A professional profile photo

It sounds basic, but it matters. Profiles without photos are often skipped, especially by recruiters.

Your photo should be professional, recent, and approachable. Avoid group photos, party shots, or vacation pictures. If you use an AI-generated headshot, it can work, as long as it looks realistic and professional. The goal is to look like someone a colleague would recognize at work.

A headline that does more than list a job title

Your headline is one of the most visible parts of your profile, and it is searchable. Many people waste it by listing only their current role.

Instead, use this space to signal what you do and what your goals are. Include keywords related to the roles you want, the skills you bring, or the problems you solve. This helps recruiters and hiring managers find you and understand you quickly.

Think of it as a short introduction to you and your career goals.

An ‘About’ section that explains you clearly

The ‘About’ section is your elevator pitch. This is where you briefly explain what you do, what you’re good at, and what kinds of roles or industries interest you. Write it in plain language, as if you were explaining your background to a new colleague. Keep it short and human.

Experience and skills that display your career goals

Your experience section should show more than job titles. Use it to highlight outcomes, responsibilities, and areas of expertise that relate to the roles you want next.

A helpful exercise is to look at job postings you’re interested in and note the skills they emphasize. Then make sure your experience section reflects those skills.

Soft skills and profile basics people forget

Soft skills matter in Canada, and they’re searchable on LinkedIn. Skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, and reliability are worth listing clearly. This can be especially important for newcomers to Canada who may have experience in different workplace cultures.

Also take a moment to customize your LinkedIn URL so it looks clean on resumes, email signatures, and business cards. It is a small detail that makes your profile look more polished.

Using the “Open to work” feature thoughtfully

If you’re actively job hunting, the “Open to work” feature can help recruiters find you.

You can choose to show this only to recruiters, which many newcomers prefer. Be specific about the roles, locations, and work arrangements you’re open to.

Level 2: The Middle User

This is for individuals who want to be a bit more proactive in their use of LinkedIn, without spending tons of time on the platform every day. Once your profile is solid, LinkedIn becomes much more useful as a networking and visibility tool.

Here are a few tips for levelling up to the middle user:

Posting, without overthinking it

To level things up, you don’t need to post every day, but the occasional, thoughtful post can help your profile stand out.

Share insights from your work, lessons you’ve learned, or observations about your industry. Avoid generic motivational content or overly polished posts. People respond better to writing that sounds like it came from a real person with a real perspective.

If you would say it out loud to a colleague, it probably works as a post. (And, yes, it might feel a little cringe – but this is the era of social media, you’ve got to embrace a little bit of cringe on these platforms!)

Commenting and engaging consistently

Commenting can often be more effective than posting. Thoughtful comments on posts from colleagues, industry leaders, or companies you follow help people notice you over time. If someone comments on your post, reply. Engagement builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust.

Making connections

Reach out to people who work in roles or companies that interest you. Personalize connection requests, even if it is just one or two sentences. If the conversation goes well, consider asking for an informational interview.

An informational interview is a short, informal chat where you ask about someone’s career path, role, or industry. It is not a job interview, and it does not need to lead to one. It is about learning and building relationships.

Level 3: The Super User

This level is optional. It is for people who enjoy the platform and want to use it more strategically. Here are some tips for leveraging LinkedIn to its full potential.

Finding a niche

The most effective LinkedIn users focus on a particular industry, role, or perspective. Instead of posting broad career advice, share insights related to your field or your past experience. Over time, this helps people associate you with a specific area of expertise.

Posting and interacting regularly

Regular posting, commenting, and sharing keeps you visible to your network. It also increases the chances that your profile appears in searches. Try to post multiple times per week, or even daily. And make sure you’re regularly commenting on other posts and replying to anyone who comments on your posts.

Considering video content

In 2026, video is king! Across all social media platforms, video content is being rewarded.

This doesn’t mean you need studio lighting or expert editing skills, but you don’t want your videos to look unprofessional. Short videos where you share an idea, reflect on an experience, or explain a concept can work well.

Only do this if it suits your personality and you’re comfortable in front of the camera. Not sure about it? Get a friend or colleague to review a video for you and provide some honest feedback.

Deciding whether to start paying for LinkedIn Premium

LinkedIn offers a “Premium” version for paid users. Depending on your goals and your budget, this could make sense for you.

Premium features can include the ability to message people you’re not connected with, see who has viewed your profile, access learning courses, and get more insight into job postings. For newcomers actively building a network or changing careers, these tools can sometimes speed things up.

It’s absolutely not essential, but if you’ve got the money it can help you level up even further.

Other ways to get support

If LinkedIn feels overwhelming, you don’t have to figure it out alone, consider working with a career counsellor or a recruiter.

A career counsellor can review your profile and help align it with your goals. Recruiters can also be useful partners when you are clear about your direction. For example, Outpost Recruitment, Moving2Canada’s sister company, works with professionals in Canada’s construction and engineering sectors – you can find out more about Outpost here.

LinkedIn works best when it is used consistently, not only during a job search, but it’s also okay to set boundaries with your social media usage. It all depends on your goals for 2026. Decide what you want and take the next steps to level up your career.

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