LinkedIn

[wicked]

I see they offer paid memberships, you can subscribe to their job-hunting service, etc.

Has anyone used any of their paid services?

I've not done much with my profile there, other than set it up and accept connection requests when they come in. What can I do to make it more useful?

 

[imjustagirl]

Wick,

We actually just had a workshop on this yesterday (part of my company's attempts to help each of us as we search for new jobs) and the HR person is supposed to forward out a PDF of the presentation, along with (I think) the power point. If so, I'll forward to you.

There's a LOT more to it than I knew. No. 1: FINISH YOUR PROFILE. Add a pic. If you're at 100 percent, your profile is more likely to pop up at the top of a search. No. 2: 87 percent of people hiring said they use LinkedIn during their search.

There are RSS feeds. Make sure you get some good recommendations (4-5 really good ones is the best number to aim for, but don't do the "if you do one for me, I'll do one for you" thing. Companies don't trust them that way). Etc.

 

[wicked]

That explains the connection request I got yesterday.

 

[JosephC.Myers]

Wick,

We actually just had a workshop on this yesterday (part of my company's attempts to help each of us as we search for new jobs) and the HR person is supposed to forward out a PDF of the presentation, along with (I think) the power point. If so, I'll forward to you.

There's a LOT more to it than I knew. No. 1: FINISH YOUR PROFILE. Add a pic. If you're at 100 percent, your profile is more likely to pop up at the top of a search. No. 2: 87 percent of people hiring said they use LinkedIn during their search.

There are RSS feeds. Make sure you get some good recommendations (4-5 really good ones is the best number to aim for, but don't do the "if you do one for me, I'll do one for you" thing. Companies don't trust them that way). Etc.

IJAG,

I'm on LinkedIn. Send an invite to [email protected]

 

[bigpern23]

I've found LinkedIn to be extremely useful, even without using the paid subscription. So much, in fact, I am considering paying for it.

The links to industry-related articles are often interesting and useful. I've learned a lot from reading many of them as I transition out of journalism.

As IJAG said, finishing your profile is important and, from what I've read, adding a picture (even if you have a face for radio, as the saying goes) greatly increases the number of employers who will click onto it.

The job search function has been OK for me, but since I'm not in a position to move out of my area, it's been a little bit limited (I've found far more job listings in my area on Indeed.com). However, I have seen some really good jobs that I'm well-qualified for on the site (most have been in Boston, NYC or D.C.). It also makes it very easy to apply for them. In many cases, it's as simple as one click (though I usually try to tailor a cover letter to the specific job I'm applying for).

 

[bigpern23]

One word of caution, as well: If your employer doesn't know you are looking for a job, be careful about doing mass amounts of work on your profile. It's a dead giveaway that you're on the hunt if your employer sees you just uploaded a resume, cover letter, photo and five recommendations in the last two days. Could be problematic if you aren't ready to let them know you are looking.

 

[imjustagirl]

pern: go to your name on the top right, go down to settings, then go to where it says "broadcast changes" or whatever. Turn that off, upload everything, then turn it back on. NO one will know you made the changes unless they go look at your page.

 

[bigpern23]

pern: go to your name on the top right, go down to settings, then go to where it says "broadcast changes" or whatever. Turn that off, upload everything, then turn it back on. NO one will know you made the changes unless they go look at your page.

Good advice, IJAG, I didn't know you could that. It could still be problematic, though, if your employer occasionally checks out employees profiles. I read an article (I think it was on the Wall Street Journal's website) about employers who do exactly that to make sure they're aware of what's going on with their workers.

 

[imjustagirl]

pern: go to your name on the top right, go down to settings, then go to where it says "broadcast changes" or whatever. Turn that off, upload everything, then turn it back on. NO one will know you made the changes unless they go look at your page.

Good advice, IJAG, I didn't know you could that. It could still be problematic, though, if your employer occasionally checks out employees profiles. I read an article (I think it was on the Wall Street Journal's website) about employers who do exactly that to make sure they're aware of what's going on with their workers.

Right. I gave that disclaimer. I think it depends on the size of your company. But hey, anyone who would get mad at you for updating your social standing is kind of a **** anyway.

 

[bigpern23]

pern: go to your name on the top right, go down to settings, then go to where it says "broadcast changes" or whatever. Turn that off, upload everything, then turn it back on. NO one will know you made the changes unless they go look at your page.

Good advice, IJAG, I didn't know you could that. It could still be problematic, though, if your employer occasionally checks out employees profiles. I read an article (I think it was on the Wall Street Journal's website) about employers who do exactly that to make sure they're aware of what's going on with their workers.

Right. I gave that disclaimer. I think it depends on the size of your company. But hey, anyone who would get mad at you for updating your social standing is kind of a **** anyway.

Eh, I don't view LinkedIn as a "social" site, really. Certainly some people do, but I think it's much more geared toward professional networking, so if an employer looks at your page to keep tabs on your professional dealings, it's not so bad. Of course, you're right, any employer who gets mad that someone is looking to improve their career is a ****.

That's why I don't use LinkedIn for any form of socializing. I kind of keep that as my professional online presence and save the personal stuff for FB and Twitter. Even on those, though, I try to remain aware that employers can often find a way to see things I think only my friends can see.

 

[westcoastvol]

LI IS your resume these days.

So instead of saying something simple like "beat writer" or what have you, this is your chance to make yourself more clickable, ala "award-winning NBA sportswriter/media personality" or whatever it is you are.

If I'm looking for people, and I see descriptors like I wrote in the prev paragarph, seriously, who am I gonna click on first? It's the most crucial line on your profile. It is your billboard. Make. It. Count.

 

[imjustagirl]

pern: go to your name on the top right, go down to settings, then go to where it says "broadcast changes" or whatever. Turn that off, upload everything, then turn it back on. NO one will know you made the changes unless they go look at your page.

Good advice, IJAG, I didn't know you could that. It could still be problematic, though, if your employer occasionally checks out employees profiles. I read an article (I think it was on the Wall Street Journal's website) about employers who do exactly that to make sure they're aware of what's going on with their workers.

Right. I gave that disclaimer. I think it depends on the size of your company. But hey, anyone who would get mad at you for updating your social standing is kind of a **** anyway.

Eh, I don't view LinkedIn as a "social" site, really. Certainly some people do, but I think it's much more geared toward professional networking, so if an employer looks at your page to keep tabs on your professional dealings, it's not so bad. Of course, you're right, any employer who gets mad that someone is looking to improve their career is a ****.

That's why I don't use LinkedIn for any form of socializing. I kind of keep that as my professional online presence and save the personal stuff for FB and Twitter. Even on those, though, I try to remain aware that employers can often find a way to see things I think only my friends can see.

Social media: Any online source through which people can connect with you. LI is the most popular job-related social media program out there.

FB has bastardized the defintion of social media. Blogs are social media. YouTube is social media.

 

[ColdCat]

is there any way to upload PDF's to LI? I wanted to put examples of pages I've designed but can't see where to do it

 

[bigpern23]

pern: go to your name on the top right, go down to settings, then go to where it says "broadcast changes" or whatever. Turn that off, upload everything, then turn it back on. NO one will know you made the changes unless they go look at your page.

Good advice, IJAG, I didn't know you could that. It could still be problematic, though, if your employer occasionally checks out employees profiles. I read an article (I think it was on the Wall Street Journal's website) about employers who do exactly that to make sure they're aware of what's going on with their workers.

Right. I gave that disclaimer. I think it depends on the size of your company. But hey, anyone who would get mad at you for updating your social standing is kind of a **** anyway.

Eh, I don't view LinkedIn as a "social" site, really. Certainly some people do, but I think it's much more geared toward professional networking, so if an employer looks at your page to keep tabs on your professional dealings, it's not so bad. Of course, you're right, any employer who gets mad that someone is looking to improve their career is a ****.

That's why I don't use LinkedIn for any form of socializing. I kind of keep that as my professional online presence and save the personal stuff for FB and Twitter. Even on those, though, I try to remain aware that employers can often find a way to see things I think only my friends can see.

Social media: Any online source through which people can connect with you. LI is the most popular job-related social media program out there.

FB has bastardized the defintion of social media. Blogs are social media. YouTube is social media.

That's all well and true, but as I said, I don't view LinkedIn as a "social" site, so much as a professional networking site. It's a semantic difference, but I think it's an important distinction.

My LinkedIn use doesn't extend past job-related activity, so if an employer forms an opinion of me based on my profile, good or bad, I don't think they're being a ****. I think they're using the site as it's intended.

I know some people who update their LinkedIn status the way they would their Facebook page, so I may be overthinking it, but I think it looks unprofessional when they do. I always keep in mind that a potential employer might see my profile.

is there any way to upload PDF's to LI? I wanted to put examples of pages I've designed but can't see where to do it

I'm pretty sure you can. On my LinkedIn homepage, I click on the tab that reads "Profile." There's a big blue box that asks if I want to include any work samples or projects with a yes and no button. I haven't clicked all the way through it, but I believe it is where you would upload PDFs.

 

[wicked]

Hey Pern, what did you mean by RSS feeds on LinkedIn?

 

[The Big Ragu]

I never used it. The only reason I had a profile was that random people started sending me requests. Then I sent a few to others, but always on a whim when I had a few minutes to look around and see connections they recommended. Then I saw my girlfriend using it like crazy -- she is really good at relationships in general. She connected to a lot of people close to her, and through them, they started making introductions to people they were connected to who she wanted to get to. It has paid some VERY SERIOUS dividends for her.

My profile is only so full. And I don't have a ton of contacts. But I recently did a few things. I belong to a few groups, and one for where I went to school had a thread saying, "If you started a business, tell about it." I figured what the heck, and posted something brief with a link to some work samples, and that day I heard from half a dozen people I didn't know. Half of them wanted introductions to others from me (which I was happy to do for two of them), but you never know where those kinds of conversations might lead.

I also recently contacted a few people I don't talk to that often (who I had business ties to years ago) who might have ideas for reaching a new business segment I would love to expand into, and even though that kind of "marketing" has never been my forte, the interactions have been surprisingly good. A couple of people have already put me in touch with people more directly related to what I am trying to get to, and even though none of it might go anywhere, I am finding it to be an interesting resource.

I am usually dubious -- kind of cynical and try to be self-reliant -- the guy who never has to ask people for help! But face it, that isn't possible in this world anymore. I have had steady clients that fed me work for years who have had their budgets slashed and that means having to solicit work rather than waiting for it to come to me. It's difficult, but LinkedIn is a definite resource.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

I never used it. The only reason I had a profile was that random people started sending me requests. Then I sent a few to others, but always on a whim when I had a few minutes to look around and see connections they recommended. Then I saw my girlfriend using it like crazy -- she is really good at relationships in general. She connected to a lot of people close to her, and through them, they started making introductions to people they were connected to who she wanted to get to. It has paid some VERY SERIOUS dividends for her.

My profile is only so full. And I don't have a ton of contacts. But I recently did a few things. I belong to a few groups, and one for where I went to school had a thread saying, "If you started a business, tell about it." I figured what the heck, and posted something brief with a link to some work samples, and that day I heard from half a dozen people I didn't know. Half of them wanted introductions to others from me (which I was happy to do for two of them), but you never know where those kinds of conversations might lead.

I also recently contacted a few people I don't talk to that often (who I had business ties to years ago) who might have ideas for reaching a new business segment I would love to expand into, and even though that kind of "marketing" has never been my forte, the interactions have been surprisingly good. A couple of people have already put me in touch with people more directly related to what I am trying to get to, and even though none of it might go anywhere, I am finding it to be an interesting resource.

I am usually dubious -- kind of cynical and try to be self-reliant -- the guy who never has to ask people for help! But face it, that isn't possible in this world anymore. I have had steady clients that fed me work for years who have had their budgets slashed and that means having to solicit work rather than waiting for it to come to me. It's difficult, but LinkedIn is a definite resource.

Yeah, you can't have a benign-neglect attitude about it. It'll get you looks, if you work it and have a background certain niches may be interested in.

 

[wicked]

Ragu, your last graf sums up how I feel. Networking and bull****ting is not my forte; doing my job is. But I also realize it goes well beyond the quality of work you put together, too.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Ragu, your last graf sums up how I feel. Networking and bull****ting is not my forte; doing my job is. But I also realize it goes well beyond the quality of work you put together, too.

My advice. ... don't think of it as networking and bull****ting. I don't have much tolerance for bull****.

Here is an example of something I have done. I will have an idea--an area of business related on the fringe to an area I am already in. Same kind of work, different kinds of clients. I want to expand and I need to get to specific types of people. I am not in that world. So it is intimidating. I am not going to cold call people. It is not very effective.

I will cull people I know (mostly not through LinkedIn, but this was about LinkedIn, and I have done this using LinkedIn a few times recently) who in their businesses deal with the people I want to get to. It made perfect sense in the case of one particular area, because some of the work I do has given me a Rolodex full of people that I know or have worked with. ... who, as part of their jobs, deal a lot with the type of person I want to be working with. (Their businesses are complimentary).

I know that was a bit vague, but hopefully it made sense. In any case, I then send some e-mails or pick up the phone, and ask the people I already know if they have any ideas; tell them what I am looking to do and see if they can make some introductions. And then I take it from there.

It's really a low bull**** game. I either have something to offer or I don't. I am approaching people who are receptive (because I serve a need for them), or they are not.

 

[imjustagirl]

I know some people who update their LinkedIn status the way they would their Facebook page, so I may be overthinking it, but I think it looks unprofessional when they do. I always keep in mind that a potential employer might see my profile.

"The way they would their FB page."

As in how often? Or as in the content?