How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile Without Alerting Your Employer

Are you preparing for your next opportunity but don’t want your employer to know?

You’re not alone. 

Many professionals find themselves needing a fresh start or seeking a promotion but worry about the risks of being discovered. 

The good news?

LinkedIn offers several privacy tools to help you update your profile, build momentum, and explore new opportunities—without tipping anyone off.

Follow these strategic updates to keep your job search confidential while maintaining your presence on LinkedIn. 

Step 1: How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile Without Alerting Your Employer

Before you change your headline, summary, or add achievements, make sure your network doesn’t get notified.

• • Go to Settings & Privacy

     

  • Choose Visibility

     

  • Under ‘Visibility of your LinkedIn activity,’ turn notifications off for job changes and profile updates. 

This gives you the freedom to polish your profile without broadcasting it to your network. 

Step 2: Keep Your Network Private

Prevent colleagues from seeing who you’ve recently connected with.

• • Go to ‘Visibility of your profile & network.’ 

• • Set ‘Who can see your connections’ to ‘Only you.’ 

If you’re connecting with people at target companies, this will provide an extra layer of privacy. 

Step 3: Switch to Private Mode for Profile Views

To research hiring managers, leaders, industry peers, or potential employers without showing up in their ‘Who viewed your profile’ list:

• • Change your Profile viewing options to Private mode. 

This lets you gather insights quietly and assess companies or people without drawing attention, much like incognito mode. 

Step 4: Review Your Follower Settings

If you’re not building a public audience, limit who can follow your updates.

• • Go to Visibility > Visibility of your LinkedIn activity

     

  • Set ‘Who can follow you’ to ‘Your connections.’ 

Note: This removes any existing out-of-network followers.

Be sure to choose the right audience per post ensures you control your visibility.

Step 5: Set Audience Before You Post

When sharing your new certifications, events, or insights, always check who can view your post.

• • Select ‘Connections only’ or ‘Group members only.’ 

Choosing “Everyone on LinkedIn” lets people outside your network follow your public updates. If you switch from “Everyone on LinkedIn” to “Your connections”, you’ll lose any out-of-network followers you have now. Any changes you make could take up to 24 hours. 

PRO TIP: You can’t change post visibility after it’s published, but you can delete and repost if needed. 

Step 6: Quietly Remove or Block Specific Contacts

If someone in your network might misinterpret your activity, consider removing or blocking them.

• • Visit their profile. 

• • Click More > Remove Connection or Block. 

LinkedIn does not notify them. 

Step 7: Rethink ‘Open to Work’ 

LinkedIn’s ‘Open to Work’ banner can signal desperation to some hiring managers. 

Instead, I recommend that one way to let people you are open to work is by networking. 

If you choose to use it, select ‘Recruiters only.’ 

This isn’t foolproof—third-party firms may still see it. 

Use this feature cautiously, especially if confidentiality is important. 

Step 8: Watch How You Engage 

Liking or commenting on job-search content can reveal your intentions.

Your activity may still appear in your feed or on your profile.

Instead: 

• • Save the post privately.

     

  • Message the person directly. 

Discretion protects your job search and your reputation. 

How to Stay Visible Without Raising Red Flags 

If you’re keeping things low-key, here are five ways to stay active on LinkedIn without signaling that you’re job hunting:

1. Update your headline with value-driven keywords—not a job title. Use keywords that are searched most often by recruiters and hiring managers. 

Example: 

Go-To Executive for Energy Transition | Driving Organizational Growth | Operations Strategy | Global Business Strategy | Advancing Sustainable Energy Solutions

2. Share thought leadership, certifications, or awards to highlight personal growth. This signals growth, not vacating your present job.

3. Engage with neutral industry content to show relevance without signaling a job search. Comment and like on professional content to stay top-of-mind. Do this often!

4. Refresh your profile photo and banner to maintain a polished, current look. Upload a professional headshot that shows your face, not a group photo. Professional visuals communicate credibility without having to say a word.

5. Reframe your mindset-this isn’t disloyal; it’s a strategic career move. Showing your wisdom, leadership, and results is a reflection of what you can do for your next employer as well!

LinkedIn is a powerful tool—but it isn’t a locked vault. 

Use it with strategy and intention. 

Protect your momentum as you prepare for your next opportunity. 

Need Help Creating a Discreet but Magnetic LinkedIn Presence? 

Let’s craft a strategy that positions you for promotion or transition without jeopardizing your current role. 

Start here to provide some information and book your confidential consultation today.