I just applied for a position with NYPL.

Anonymous

March 25,2023 at 1:29PM UTC

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I just applied for a position with NYPL. On the job ad, the supervisor's name is listed along with a link to his LinkedIn profile. Is it a good idea to connect with a potential supervisor on Linked - even before getting an interview for the position?

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AnonymousMarch 25,2023 at 1:55PM UTC
Yes I think that's what LinkedIn is for.
AnonymousMarch 25,2023 at 3:13PM UTC
I've been a hiring manager and please do not do this. It's awkward and unless you have met this person in person before it's likely to get you less consideration for the position not more. all social media connections should be between people you've met before, either outside of work or have worked for. At best your context request will get rejected, at worst it could impact their view of you. What happens if they don't choose you? This is a nope.
Lomaxruiter@yahoo.comMarch 25,2023 at 5:47PM UTC
As a Hiring manager, I would not accept a request from a candidate for an open position unless or until I had actually met them, at least via web conference.
QMarch 26,2023 at 3:23PM UTC
This is not a good idea. If I were hiring for an open position and interested parties, who I had zero previous contact with reached out to try and connect with me prior to their interviews? I would be very uncomfortable. It would put me in an ethically tenuous situation. It is essential in hiring that I take each person for their abilities without bias, and this kind of cold connecting could even give the impression - right or not - of favoritism. By asking I am already in the uncomfortably position, even if I say no. And it also adds a bias - fair or not - against you for putting me there. All in all, it’s not a good idea. You already have the interview scheduled. This is not at all the same scenario as leveraging LinkedIn to GET an interview.
surfnwriteMarch 27,2023 at 12:37PM UTC
It feels creepy to me.
AnonymousMarch 27,2023 at 1:50PM UTC
I disagree with most of the comments here. I think it's a smart thing to do and expresses your interest in the NYPL. You don't have to mention that you're applying for the role, but that you want to genuinely connect to learn more about what it's like to work there. If it's not genuine, then don't do it. Also, he did include his name and profile link on the job ad, which indicates that he's open to be being contacted.
AnonymousMarch 27,2023 at 1:57PM UTC
As a librarian also looking, yes! Do it! Librarians are friendly folk. His stuff WAS listed.
My sister-in-law works in upper level communications. Like Director of Communications for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and for the Attorneys General of the US... and she says always try to work any connection you can. Get your name in front of them. I was looking at a position with a firm in DC, she urged me to connect on LInkedIn with the man doing the hiring, then she also connected with him, said who she was, and mentioned me. Nothing has happened yet, lol, but she's currently looking and primarily using LinkedIn contacts.
AnonymousMarch 27,2023 at 3:54PM UTC
No, definitely not. If you want to reach out you could send a note in a message and let them know of your interest in the role. If they look at you then you will know that they have viewed your profile. I wouldn't be too aggressive about connecting because for many it could be offputting. LI connections are for people you really know.