How the LinkedIn Masterclass at UWV Leiden demonstrated that visibility, networking, and personal branding are becoming increasingly important in recruitment
Practical insights into LinkedIn profile optimization and personal branding
Focus on building relationships with employers rather than just applying for jobs the traditional way
Specific examples of how LinkedIn helps with recruitment, networking, and career growth
“LinkedIn isn’t just about finding job openings; it’s mainly about building your visibility, fostering connections, and starting conversations.”
Objective
The goal of the LinkedIn Masterclass in Leiden was to explore new approaches to employer services, recruitment, and networking through LinkedIn.
The focus was on:
Demonstrating how LinkedIn can be used to build lasting relationships in recruitment
Strengthening LinkedIn profiles and personal branding
Raising awareness that job openings are not filled solely through “Easy Apply”
Building valuable connections with employers, recruiters, managers, and executives
Demonstrating how networking leads to more opportunities in the job market
In addition, the session centered on sharing practical insights regarding visibility, online positioning, and activating professional networks.
Approach
The masterclass focused on interaction, real-world examples, and immediate practical application.
A special moment was the meeting with Hans Saris, who received help expanding his professional network via LinkedIn at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, this was done entirely online; now, for the first time, it took place in person at the office in Leiden.
During the session, we explored how professionals can use LinkedIn more strategically in their search for a new career move.
Key topics covered:
Optimizing LinkedIn profiles for greater visibility
Utilizing personal branding in recruitment
Actively building relationships with potential employers
The importance of having conversations rather than just applying for jobs
How networking via LinkedIn opens up new career opportunities
The session demonstrated that recruitment is increasingly about relationships, visibility, and trust rather than just job postings and application buttons.
Results
The energy and engagement during the masterclass were immediately noticeable:
Lots of interaction and discussions about LinkedIn and recruitment
New insights into how professionals can position themselves online
Awareness that networking is often more effective than traditional job applications
Inspiring conversations about the future of recruitment and employer services
Enthusiasm about the opportunities this offers to companies and professionals
What really stuck was the realization that LinkedIn is much more than just a job board. It’s a networking platform where connections, visibility, and conversations ultimately lead to new opportunities.
