If I had $1 for every time I had to enter my LinkedIn URL...
Today, I decided I'd had enough of opening a new tab to navigate to my own LinkedIn profile, copy the URL, and paste it into the 47585 places required during the course of a job hunt. There had to be an easier way.
There are a two approaches which pop up immediately:
There are a two approaches which pop up immediately:
- Use the text replace feature (as in the infamous omw -> On my way!).
- Write a script and attach it to a keyboard shortcut.
To get around some security/permission issues regarding keystroke (the most commonly recommended script), I opted for a simpler approach - copy the link I wanted to the clipboard and then paste as usual.
As I shared on Twitter, for a Mac (I'm running macOS Monterey):
As I shared on Twitter, for a Mac (I'm running macOS Monterey):
- Open the Automator app.
- Create new Quick Action.
- Add "Get Specified Text" to your action flow.
- Paste your desired text (my LinkedIn URL).
- Add "Copy to Clipboard" to your action flow. It should be clear that the input is your text above.
- Name your action (remember this) and save.
- Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Services
- Scroll down to General, find your action name, and add your desired shortcut keys.
The trick is finding a memorable key combination that isn't already in use.
There's so much to a job hunt, but hopefully this small automation will make it that much easier.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecaseygould/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecaseygould/