Choosing Your LinkedIn Profile Location

The following post explores the topic of Choosing Your LinkedIn Profile Location.

When crafting your LinkedIn profile, every detail counts, including geographic location. The location you choose to display has a direct impact on your ability to be found by recruiters.

Read: Adding a Career Break on LinkedIn

Related: Benefits of Joining LinkedIn Groups

The location you select influences how potential employers and recruiters find you, the types of job opportunities you are considered for, and your overall visibility on the platform.

Here’s what you need to know about choosing your LinkedIn profile location.

Overview

Choosing between listing a specific city or a broader metropolitan area on your LinkedIn profile may seem like a small detail. However, it can have a significant impact on your visibility with potential employers.

Pictured: Screenshot of a user selecting between locations.

Example

To illustrate the impact of location on your LinkedIn profile, consider the example of being a resident of Aurora, IL and deciding between using ‘Aurora, IL’ and ‘Greater Chicago Area’.

Let’s say you reside in Aurora. In that case, both selections are valid (since Aurora is part of Greater Chicago Area). So, which location should you choose?

On one hand, Aurora, IL, is a specific city within the Chicago metropolitan area. Listing this location on your profile can make you more visible to local employers and recruiters who are searching for candidates in or near Aurora. On the other hand, Greater Chicago Area encompasses a much larger region, including Aurora.

Specifying a City

Aurora is a smaller city than the entire Chicago metropolitan area. Since it’s a smaller city, it naturally gets less search activity. So, if you want to be found by an Aurora-based company that is specifically looking for candidates (in Aurora) – you’re at a disadvantage if you chose Greater Chicago Area as your location.

Specifying a Metropolitan Area

Greater Chicago Area encompasses a much larger region than does Aurora. Since it’s a larger region, it’s used more. Therefore, choosing ‘Greater Chicago Area’ positions you for a wider array of job opportunities.

While it’s great to expand your reach, it’s a tradeoff because now you’re in a much larger pool of individuals that also identify as living in the ‘Greater Chicago Area’.

Which Should I Choose?

Choose the specific city if…

• You want to be part of a smaller pool of candidates.
• You’d prefer to find an employer close to your home.
• You can leverage relationships with people you know in your city.
• You have more pride for your specific city.

Choose the greater area if…

• You seek to cast the widest net possible.
• You are willing to commute within the area.
• You seek remote-based work.
• You have more pride for the region you live in.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you choose a specific city or a broader metropolitan area, each option has its own advantages and trade-offs. Your decision should align with your career goals, networking strategy, and geographic preferences. I hope this article helps you make a more informed choice!