In this guide, we walk through the process of creating and launching a job post ad on LinkedIn. Whether you’re hiring for your team, your market center, or across the country, this step-by-step setup ensures you’re positioned to attract quality leads while maintaining full control of your recruiting process.
Step 1: Start a New Job Post #
Begin by logging into your LinkedIn account and clicking the “Post a job” button in the upper-right corner. This will open a new tab where you’ll begin entering your job details.
- For the job title, enter something straightforward like “Real Estate Agent.”
- LinkedIn may auto-fill a job description, but it’s best to replace this with a version that reflects your opportunity. (We provide a proven template in the Resource Center.)
If you’ve run ads before, LinkedIn may auto-link the post to your company (e.g., Keller Williams). If not, it will prompt you to select a company page. See the Resource on configuring your LinkedIn Profile if you are unable to select the proper business.
Click Continue to move forward.
Step 2: Skip Screening Questions #
On the next screen, LinkedIn may ask you to add screening questions. We recommend leaving this section blank to reduce friction and make it easier for people to submit their interest.
Step 3: Set the Application Method #
Under Manage Applicants, you’ll be asked where you’d like to collect applications.
Change this from: “On LinkedIn” to “External Website”
Important: If you don’t see the external website option, you may need to run an initial ad on LinkedIn for a few days to a week first. Run ads at the lowest budget possible during this time. Free if possible. For any applicants that come in, you should direct them to your recruiting site manually by responding with a message like:
“Thanks for applying! The next step is to fill out your information here:” followed by the URL directly to the Join page.
After about a week of activity, LinkedIn typically unlocks the external site option for future ads.
Once it’s available, edit the post and change the application method to External Website, pasting your full recruiting site “Join” page URL. You can also pause or stop running the ad, and create a new one instead.
Step 4: Set Hiring Frame (Optional) #
You’ll see a setting called Hiring Frame, which adds a “We’re hiring” badge to your LinkedIn profile. You can leave this on or turn it off—your choice.
Click Continue to proceed.
Step 5: Add Qualifications #
This step allows you to specify ideal qualifications. Andy recommends adding:
- 1–2 years of sales experience
- Strong communication skills
- Must reside in the United States
- Must be willing and able to obtain a real estate license
(Optionally specify the state if you’re targeting locally, or highlight “in your state of residence” if hiring nationally)
You can also add preferred qualifications if applicable.
Click Continue when finished.
Step 6: Set Budget and Promotion Options #
On the final setup screen, you’ll choose how much to promote your job.
- You can edit your daily budget, and LinkedIn will display the estimated weekly total below.
- If your budget is below the platform’s minimum (e.g., $12/day in the video’s example), LinkedIn will show an error and prompt you to adjust.
- If you’re new to job posting on LinkedIn, you may see a Free Ad option. If available, this is a great way to test before spending.
Note: The availability of free posts and minimum budgets may vary based on your location or job type.
Once your budget is set, select a payment method.
Step 7: Promote and Launch #
Click Promote Job to submit your ad. LinkedIn will review the post—typically within a few hours—and notify you via email once it’s live.
By running your job ads through LinkedIn and directing applicants to your external site, you maintain control over the applicant experience and ensure leads are captured inside your own recruiting system. For job description templates, Apply URL setup, and more recruiting tips, explore our Recruiting Site Resource Center.
👉 Configuring Your LinkedIn Profile to Run Ads
👉 Sample Job Description
