Non-Gaming Question
Non-Gaming Question
I apologize in advance. How important is having a Linked In profile to getting a new job? Some? Not at all? Depends? I've got something I want to apply for, but I've been the same place for 4 years now and things might have changed. Thanks, peeps.
Bear in mind that LinkedIn is a hideous fountain of spam and other crap that will engulf your Inbox and never, ever stop, no matter how you try to unsubscribe.
ReplyDeleteI make a lot of use of LinkedIn. I get tons of job offers just by having a profile up on LI. It helped me network and find jobs that weren't on other job listing aggregaters. I found the job I currently have from LI.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, it notifies me of profile views, messages, connection requests and subscriptions I have to a couple groups. I filter it all with Gmail labels, so it's manageable for me.
Along with what Adam Taylor said you do need a LinkedIn account. Anyone who is serious about looking for a job has to have either a full listing there or a short listing that points to your own website that lists your full profile in a way that you like.
ReplyDeleteIf you have nothing there at all it stands out as being either "different" or unskilled.
I admit that I judge people who have no profile photo and scant info in their profiles as not really trying.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's considered pretty par for the course these days in most professional type jobs. Also, if companies go looking for candidates they might want (rather than the other way around), they'll probably look on LinkedIn.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I've apparently gotten to the point where I've unsubscribed enough not to get their spam any more, but it took a lot of doing.
A lot depends on your specific career choice: it is essential apparently for certain fields (or, more accurately, certain companies), but in many many fields it offers no benefit at all (or even a negative benefit, as in academia).
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I've read on Linkedin is this article from last summer:
<http://www.economist.com/news/business/21612191-social-network-has-already-shaken-up-way-professionals-are-hired-its-ambitions-go-far>
I hope this helps.
Well, I'm a "professional" financial type office drone looking to move up, so it looks like I'll be joining. And using a nice picture and a detailed profile.
ReplyDeleteDoes this count as networking? I'm doing it!
ReplyDeleteVery important, but only if you curate it well. A poor linked in profile full of spammer links is a negative.
ReplyDeleteCasey Garske Yup, this counts as networking! Feel free to connect with me on LI once you're set up.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me... I should weed out some recruiters I connected with during my job hunt.
Thanks, Lex Larson !
ReplyDeleteI know a few headhunters who use it a lot.
ReplyDeleteClearly I need Lex Larson fine tooth comb my LinkedIn profile because I am getting nothing out of it as opposed to Monster and such.
ReplyDeleteEric Duncan I can totally do that, but I think it's more of a regional need for folks with my skills. The jobs they are offering aren't jobs I want -- they're all short-term contract stuff where they'd want to lowball me on pay, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteI always look at peoples LinkedIn profiles. It's handy. Depending on your industry, people will also reach out to you. It's also dumb. So dumb.
ReplyDeleteMake a LinkedIn profile.
If you are in tech, linkedIn is very important. If you're a developer, github is too.
ReplyDelete"Different" is cool. Make a decision but understand that once you've started one you have to feed it a lot for it to make sense to anyone, it's a lot of trouble and spam but maybe worth it.
ReplyDeleteMy job searched for me on linkdin before my interview. so joining helped me.
ReplyDeleteThey will probably search your facebook and google+ too. that's how it is now.
ReplyDeleteDepends. I got a few seriously strong leads on jobs from LinkedIn. In fact, I got my current job from direct interaction I had on LI.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the reason to have the profile is frankly it makes filling out job apps online much easier since so many companies HR sites directly interface with LinkedIn. .