I got an account after attending the IIE conference in May. It's semi-useful. I might use it more once I'm out in the industry.

12/10/2008 8:15:05 AM

that's just it. its not useful in a daily or weekly sense. you might go 6 mos or a year without even thinking about it. you collect a few contacts here you collect a few there.

then one day you're thinking about changing jobs (or are suddenly forced to) and now you have a web of contacts to draw upon -- not just the people YOU know and have worked with, but also with all the people THEY know and have worked with.

now you can directly contact someone like this:

"Hello John, my name is Joe Schmoe and you're in my LinkedIn network. I used to work with Billy Bob, who you knew at Company X. I see you're now a project manager at Company Y, doing work that I'd really like to be a part of. Do you know of any positions available for a mid-level electrical engineer with strong embedded skills?"

it isn't always going to work, but goddamn, you just cant put a value on that sort of resource.



[Edited on December 10, 2008 at 12:12 PM. Reason : ]

12/10/2008 12:07:14 PM

^ yup. Exactly.

When I first got on there I spent maybe 2 weeks getting everything setup, contacts imported, and made connections.

I played with the wordpress plugin that allows you to pull your profile information on to a wordpress blog page, stuck a small banner they provided on one of my websites, and then left it alone. Its been dormant since, but I dont have a strong need to use it at this point.

[Edited on December 10, 2008 at 12:10 PM. Reason : .]

12/10/2008 12:09:48 PM

i won't add people from work on facebook

you think i want them looking through my pics and seeing me wasted in half of them or pretending to do some girl in the butt?

this one guy who was my peer at work got promoted and wanted to add me - i'm sure as hell glad i didn't

i'm thinking about getting on linked in so i can add business contacts and keep it professional unlike facebook

12/10/2008 5:09:42 PM

same reason i will never solicit contacts from TWW

12/10/2008 6:17:04 PM

I use it, most co-workers and business partners use it too

A good way to keep in touch with past co-workers or get into professional networks

12/11/2008 12:51:48 AM

hahahaha, I recognize "her".

http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=26995850&authToken=WDkh&authType=name&goback=.ana_78687_1231781859008_1

1/12/2009 12:48:06 PM

haha that's funny

1/12/2009 6:03:40 PM

^^^^^that still may bite you in the ass. Many employers check myspace and facebook now. You could still get screwed even though you're trying to keep the two separate.

1/12/2009 6:14:09 PM

I'm getting warnings when I try to add contacts because LinkedIn things I've tried to add too many people who don't know me.

I looked through my invite history, and the only people who have turned me down have been one guy who worked at a company I worked for, but had left before I got there (legitimate, I guess) and a couple of people who work at my current company, who do know me, but are apparently retarded.

1/12/2009 6:19:16 PM

you got the LinkedIn herp

1/12/2009 8:28:00 PM

denied.

1/12/2009 9:31:02 PM

^^^It's not necessarily that people are turning you down... you'll get the same warning if you send out invites and people don't respond at all.

1/12/2009 10:23:47 PM

Question for LinkedIn people:

I am newly unemployed and am now going on interviews. I have an interview set up later this week with a guy that's on LinkedIn. Prior to the interview, should I invite him to see my profile? Or should I mention it at the interview or should I just leave it be?

BTW, I've had linkedin for a while but didn't add people until today.

Also, if anyone has any open jobs let me know (I THOUGHT I'D STICK THAT IN THERE).

1/12/2009 11:25:38 PM

interesting question.

i think its a judgment call. on the one hand, I'd say "NO" to be cautious. But depending on how active each of your profiles, it could actually be a good idea.

the point of applications and interviews is to make yourself memorable, to make yourself stand out from the other interviewees. sometimes it just comes down to a personal connection.

however, if either of your LinkedIn profiles are really sparse, like it was just thrown together in order to respond to a few join requests but otherwise neglected .... then it probably wouldnt be a good idea.

the point im making, is that you have to stay out of that awkward gray area between enthusiastic hopeful and obsessive stalker.

so, if his profile is sparse, then he doesnt care about LinkedIn and will probably view your contact attempt as schmoozy and obsequious -- kind of inappropriate.

if your profile is sparse (did you say you JUST started adding contacts?) then your linked in profile will not be all that impressive. your job history will just be a repetition of your resume (no new info) and your lack of contacts will beg the question, "Does he not have any people who will vouch for him? or does he just not care to collect contacts on LinkedIn?" -- obviously the second answer, but then the question why are you even sending it to him?

another thing, if you're of different genders, you might want to nix the idea just for that. you dont want to inadvertently send the wrong message.

so basically, any chance you can make a good impression, do it. but just don't make a bad impression.



[Edited on January 13, 2009 at 12:17 AM. Reason : ]

1/13/2009 12:02:19 AM

leave it be. most profiles just duplicate the resume, so it's unnecessary. also, you are presuming familiarity that doesnt exist

I have found interview candidates on here, but it was just the same as their resume. Didnt affect my decision one way or the other.

Cleanup or hide your myspace/facebook profiles before going for a job

[Edited on January 13, 2009 at 4:09 AM. Reason : .]

1/13/2009 4:06:51 AM

I need to figure out how to use linkedin more effectively. I made an account because a friend hounded me too and then I promptly forgot about it.

1/13/2009 8:43:04 AM

^same here

1/13/2009 9:21:24 AM

you dont just all of a sudden "use it"

you build it up slowly and quietly over a period of several years. then, when something happens like a layoff or a merger or you just get your ass fired, it's there with a load of contacts.

it becomes an additional tool to help you in a job search

... and on further thought, skokiaan is right. leave it be. at the interview point theres really no new information that it's going to add. the point is to have contacts *prior* to the interview that help you get introduced somewhere.

1/13/2009 9:41:41 AM

^ this is true. because of linkedin I may have a job before the layoff date on my current one.

1/13/2009 11:20:24 AM

Quote :

"Many employers check myspace and facebook now."

That's one reason to keep your myspace/facebook profiles set so that only your friends can see them.

1/13/2009 11:22:59 AM

or don't put dumb shit up there.

1/13/2009 11:31:29 AM

That is also a technique.

1/13/2009 11:35:27 AM

Thanks for the advice! I'm horrible at interviews so I want to do the minimal damage possible.

1/13/2009 12:25:09 PM

I'm probably going to get rid of LinkedIn

I'm sick of the recruiters using it for cold calling:
"Oh I'm working with so-and-so and he mentioned you're looking for talented people, let me tell you what I can offer...blah blah"

1/13/2009 2:27:05 PM

not that they'll respect it but you can set what you're interested and I'm sure if you keep getting unsolicited emails you can report them.

1/13/2009 6:15:14 PM

I have a feeling they see his title and company and call the main number, then go through the company directory, rather than just sending a message.

1/13/2009 6:29:53 PM

I'm a recruiter and not really huge on using it to contact people. I've had mixed reactions. People can be dicks, but they're your best friend when they get laid off.

1/13/2009 10:19:55 PM

Had a one hour call with a small business yesterday and just received a contract for their services in my email this morning. I found their business through the discussion feature of a group I've been in for a year or so. I would have never found them without LinkedIn... they are a very unique company in Jordan.

This is the third actual business deal that I've made in the past three months - I use LI about 3 hours/week.

1/14/2009 8:04:36 AM

I need to finish my LinkedIn profile. I got bored and didn't put in what I do at my job. I could probably leave that part blank and it would serve the same purpose.

1/14/2009 11:44:07 AM

I just copied my resume for the job description part

1/14/2009 10:02:36 PM

http://www.linkedin.com/in/amnawarner

I am hoping to find a job this way because resume dropping through monster and craigslist is too scam filled.

3/16/2009 1:11:21 PM

Quote :

"I'm a recruiter and not really huge on using it to contact people. I've had mixed reactions. People can be dicks, but they're your best friend when they get laid off."

It's not just the workplace.
And just like everywhere else, that's some important information they're handing you without realizing it, or just how much they're revealing.

^I'll sign up, just for you. I doubt it'll be too helpful, but we'll see.

[Edited on March 16, 2009 at 1:15 PM. Reason : s]

3/16/2009 1:15:01 PM

^^ are you limiting your search to the raleigh and/or charlotte metro areas? because considering your industry and experience, i'd say that you need to be open to relocating, perhaps even across the country if necessary.

otherwise you might find yourself underemployed for a significant time. which is a catch-22 since the longer you remain out of your field the harder it will be to get a job in it.

you've seen this site? I would be shotgun-blasting my resume...

http://museumcareers.aam-us.org/search/results/



[Edited on March 16, 2009 at 2:18 PM. Reason : ]

3/16/2009 1:58:46 PM

yeah...you are right about the experience. I would love to work in museums but everyone knows that non profits are not hiring. They can't.

I have been looking through HR, government, and administrative assistants jobs. I basically have to look for a job where Ken might get a job, he will always make two to three times more than me. So I have been looking in Charlotte, RTP, Charleston, places in California...

3/16/2009 2:23:45 PM

I've just created an account recently. It's nice to maintain your work connections, but I don't see how this site will help me get a job; it can't hurt though.

3/16/2009 2:35:57 PM

i've heard of people getting jobs through linkedin - but it's never been by just having a profile - it's always by participating in a group's forum

3/16/2009 2:49:21 PM

Ok, that's good to know. I'll check that out.

3/16/2009 3:00:09 PM

^^ same here

3/16/2009 3:10:03 PM

I just joined the NCSU Alumni group and the NCSU Engineering group.

3/16/2009 3:13:21 PM

i'm in a number of RFID groups but don't really take the time to read them on a regular basis but if i was looking for a job those groups would definitely be a place i'd peruse

3/16/2009 3:15:01 PM

^

3/16/2009 3:43:32 PM

i've had some recruiters recently contact me out of the blue trying to place me in various engineering slot.

they got my info from linked in.

all were local to me in Seattle area, one was in suburb of LA. these were jobs i would have taken, or at least considered, if i were looking.

3/16/2009 3:59:19 PM

^ well that's really, really good to hear. There is some hope.

^^, ^^^ Thanks!

3/17/2009 5:48:47 PM

bump

1/20/2012 4:29:56 PM

Do you guys post your volunteer stuff on linkedin?

1/20/2012 4:33:20 PM

I do not, but I have seen others put it on there. To me, it generally signals not enough work experience, and the volunteer stuff is taking up space.

Now, that's for things like "volunteer at an animal shelter." But if you're doing some kick-ass volunteering like "Guardian Ad Litem for disadvantaged youth." then I would put that on there. /wishy washy answer.

1/20/2012 4:43:39 PM

Being a member finally paid off as I got a call from someone who saw my LinkedIn profile and offered me a part time specialized job. Too bad I don't have the free time to do it.

1/20/2012 4:56:43 PM

I get job offers every few months now from recruiters and HR folks on Linkedin.

I updated my work history for the first time in almost 5 years sometime this summer, and then started seeing this trickle of interesting mails. Apparently it really does make a difference filling out your work history and keeping the profile up to date

No real interest in a new job, but it can't hurt to look right

1/20/2012 5:00:49 PM

^ I updated mine in April, and people started beating down my door. What we do is in high demand, especially around here.


I get a new request from headhunters at least 1-2x a week.

1/20/2012 6:20:15 PM