5 Proven Ways to Build Trust on LinkedIn for Hiring Top Talent

Faisal Siddiqui
May 15
4 min read

LinkedIn is the go-to platform for connecting with top-tier talent and building your employer brand. But in a sea of polished profiles and buzzword-heavy posts, how do you stand out and earn the trust of the leaders and creatives you want to hire? At GoodHiresOnly, we’ve seen firsthand that authenticity is the key to attracting exceptional candidates. Drawing from the strategies of LinkedIn’s top creators, here are five practical ways to build genuine trust on LinkedIn—tailored for HR professionals, startup founders, and agency leaders looking to hire game-changers.

1. Share the Real Journey, Not Just the Wins

Nobody trusts a highlight reel. Candidates and clients connect with stories that show the human side of your work—the challenges, the pivots, and the lessons learned. Sharing the messy middle of your hiring journey builds credibility and relatability.

Why It Works: Authenticity signals transparency, a must-have for attracting discerning C-suite and creative talent. A 2024 LinkedIn Talent Trends report found that 78% of professionals value employers who share honest insights about their processes.
How to Do It: Post about a tough hiring decision, like choosing between two stellar creative directors, and explain how you navigated it. Highlight a lesson, such as prioritizing cultural fit over flashy credentials. For example: “Last month, we passed on a candidate with an impeccable portfolio because their vision didn’t align with our client’s brand. Here’s what we learned about hiring for long-term impact.”

GoodHiresOnly Tip: Keep it real but professional—avoid oversharing internal drama. Focus on insights that help your network grow.

2. Give Value Freely, No Strings Attached

The best way to build trust is to be a resource, not a salesperson. Share actionable hiring tips, industry insights, or tools that make your audience’s lives easier. When you give without expecting immediate returns, you position yourself as a trusted partner.

Why It Works: Generosity builds goodwill, especially among passive candidates who research employers before engaging. Posts with practical value get 3x more engagement, per LinkedIn’s 2025 algorithm data.
How to Do It: Share a quick tip, like “3 Questions to Spot a Visionary Creative Director in Interviews” or a free checklist for startup hiring. For instance: “Struggling to hire remotely? We’ve found that async video interviews save 30% more time than live calls. Try this tool to streamline your process.”

GoodHiresOnly Tip: Avoid gating content behind forms—offer value upfront to build trust faster.

3. Show Up Consistently with Purpose

Trust grows when your audience knows what to expect. Consistent posting signals reliability, but it’s quality, not quantity, that matters. Share content that aligns with your expertise in leadership and creative hiring, and skip the generic motivational quotes.

Why It Works: Regular, purposeful posts keep you top-of-mind for candidates and clients. LinkedIn data shows that accounts posting weekly see 2x higher profile views than sporadic posters.
How to Do It: Commit to a manageable schedule—say, one post every two weeks—focusing on your niche. Share insights like “Why 70% of Our C-Suite Hires Come from Passive Talent Pools” or “How to Vet a CMO for a Startup.” Mix formats: a short tip one week, a case study the next.

GoodHiresOnly Tip: Plan posts around hiring cycles (e.g., Q1 planning) to stay relevant to your audience’s needs.

4. Engage Like a Partner, Not a Broadcaster

Building trust on LinkedIn isn’t about racking up likes—it’s about fostering real connections. Engage with your network’s posts, answer comments thoughtfully, and celebrate their wins. This two-way dialogue shows you’re invested in relationships, not just visibility.

Why It Works: Engagement signals approachability, critical for attracting cautious executive candidates. A 2025 LinkedIn study found that 65% of professionals are more likely to respond to recruiters who actively engage with their content.
How to Do It: Spend 10 minutes daily commenting on posts from your network—congratulate a founder on a funding round or ask a recruiter about their latest hiring challenge. When someone comments on your post, reply with a question to keep the conversation going, like “What’s your biggest hurdle in hiring creatives right now?”

GoodHiresOnly Tip: Personalize your responses—generic “Great point!” replies don’t build trust.

5. Spotlight Your Team’s Authentic Voices

Your company’s credibility hinges on its people. Encourage your team to share their stories, insights, or behind-the-scenes perspectives on LinkedIn. When candidates see real humans driving your success, they’re more likely to trust your brand.

Why It Works: Employee advocacy amplifies authenticity. LinkedIn reports that posts from employees get 8x more engagement than brand posts, as they feel less polished and more relatable.
How to Do It: Feature a team member’s story, like how your recruiter navigated a tough C-suite search, or encourage them to post about their work. For example: “Our recruiter Sarah just placed a CTO for a Series A startup—here’s her advice for spotting unicorn talent.” Link to your company page to tie it back to your brand.

GoodHiresOnly Tip: Train your team on LinkedIn best practices to ensure their posts align with your brand’s voice.

Why Trust Matters in Leadership Hiring

In executive search and creative hiring, trust is everything. Top candidates—whether CMOs, creative directors, or CTOs—research your reputation before saying yes. A 2024 Glassdoor study found that 72% of executives check a company’s LinkedIn presence before engaging with recruiters. By being authentic, giving value, and engaging meaningfully, you don’t just build a network—you build a pipeline of talent who trust you to deliver.

At GoodHiresOnly we’ve placed 95% of our candidates successfully by prioritizing trust over transactions. These five strategies aren’t just for LinkedIn—they’re how we approach every search, ensuring we connect the right leaders with the right opportunities.

Ready to elevate your LinkedIn game? Start with one of these tips today and watch how authenticity transforms your hiring success.

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