Hi friends,

14 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 24,2024 at 3:15PM UTC

   The only messages I respond to on LinkedIn allow a reply, and the person's profile is consistent with what is being offered, but only if it is part of my job objectives. I have received several that offer help/seminars in franchising, selling insurance, or wealth management products, none of which are part of my profile, experience, or job objectives. Most of these only have button options to schedule a time to talk or apply. I just delete these, like I do the hundreds of emails I get with the same verbiage.

2. Shannon WrightOctober 25,2024 at 4:37PM UTC

   That's smart. My heart and hope overcame reason I think. I've never been set up on that platform so it was not something I felt I needed to question but I am doing my best to keep it at bay now.. thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it

3. AnonymousOctober 24,2024 at 3:56PM UTC

   I am sorry this happened to you. I don't trust any messages I receive from recruiters or others "who have a job for me" and investigate all of them. Not clear on your strategy, so if you are already doing these things you are closing in. Here is what I have done in my search this year. Check with your network on any job opportunities that may be coming up - hidden job network. Reach out to people you know at companies and schedule a virtual call or in person coffee to learn more about what is going on. Think about your skill set, what you want to do and identify 10-15 companies you would like to work for. Does anyone in your network know the hiring team including managers, directors and Csuite people. The idea is to ask you contacts to make an introduction and advocate for you. Be prepared to show your resume and several specific points on why you want to work for the company and what you will bring to the table to help them grow. Use ChatGPT 4 free version to help format or rewrite your resume or cover letters. When prompting AI think about the active voice, how you want written. Do not have AI write your resume have it rewrite or format your existing resume. Have several different versions for each type of job you are seeking. Use AI to be clear on why you. Sign up for different job boards. There are many. Some you get more SPAM with. Set up several different job searches for different types of roles including key words. Run the searches at least weekly. Daily is too much. Be sure to investigate all opportunities before submitting your resume to any one specific person. Go to job fairs online or in person. Go to your local workforce services online and see what might be there. Check State jobs as well. Keep in contact with network. I suspect once the election is over, more jobs will appear. Use LinkedIn to share your thoughts on industry articles or other current events related to your expertise or roles. See if you can find 3-4 things from comments here you can put into action today.

4. Shannon WrightOctober 25,2024 at 4:33PM UTC

   I have not been doing some of the things you listed! Thank you so much! I know I've got to get over myself but it embarrasses me asking connections for work... idk why because my family is more important than my pride. Thank you for your advice and feedback! I appreciate it so much

5. AnonymousOctober 24,2024 at 4:35PM UTC

   This is terrible, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. Make sure you look at their LI profile and see if they have a Verified profile.

   Here are some guidelines I found:

   What to do if you suspect a spam request:

   Do not accept the connection: Ignore the request and do not connect with the person.

   Check their profile carefully: Before accepting any connection request, thoroughly review the person's profile for red flags.

   Report the profile: If you believe the profile is clearly a scam, report it to LinkedIn as spam.

   Suggestions to job search: contact your alma mater if degreed if they have a recruiting system by which you can seek work. Ask also if they have alumni services (there may be a minimal cost, but ask anyway), look at your university's site to see if they have alumni events, ours does.

   Check each company of interest, and review their website, look at the BBB site as well. Their ratings are not based on feedback, however, it's important to read feedback if there is any.

   Finally, connect with a recruiter in a staffing firm to get a connection and get into their CRM system. Network like crazy. Look on Facebook for job groups, or within a group you trust, mention you are seeking work. You won't believe how many people I help in the groups I'm in. And finally, trust your gut. I was a former recruiter, and get emails all the time from 3rd parties that I block. My current role is in recruiting but on the higher ed side. So I get a lot of spam too. And finally, consider working for a state agency and/or a local university or college. Hang in there as I've been in your shoes during the market crash of 2008. But I'm safer in higher ed than corporate. Just some thoughts to help you and wishing you all the best!

6. Shannon WrightOctober 25,2024 at 4:31PM UTC

   Thank you so much for your advice and feedback on this. I will be doing this from now on! I appreciate your kind words.

7. AnonymousOctober 26,2024 at 2:31AM UTC

   You’re very welcome! Keep us posted!

8. AnonymousOctober 25,2024 at 12:43PM UTC

   Similar thing happened to me. I posted about being "open to work" and all of a sudden, my inbox was full of people asking for my resume. Thought wow this is it. Nope, it was a bunch of resume writers all telling me my resume sucked and for $$$ they could fix it. So frustrating.

9. Shannon WrightOctober 25,2024 at 4:30PM UTC

   I think the worst part of it is when people like us are unemployed, it makes us incredibly vulnerable. We want the job so badly we go for it. I get more coaching resume requests than real connections. Makes me cry almost daily and typically I'm a strong independent woman.

10. Bridget GriffithOctober 25,2024 at 2:36PM UTC

    I am so sorry this happened to you. Yes, this is a thing. I get the text messages and then they want to interview me, but want my what's app number. Um.... this is a hard NO for me. No legitimate recruiter would text first and then want to interview through what's app. Right? We have too much video technology to want to do a call through a phone app. I have been unemployed since mid-July. Over 300 resumes sent and very few interviews.

11. Shannon WrightOctober 25,2024 at 4:28PM UTC

    Oh goodness. I'm sorry you are going through this too. I hate it. I never knew LinkedIn had this issue but why not... the other job boards do...

12. Shannon WrightOctober 25,2024 at 4:35PM UTC

    I don't get it! LinkedIn is supposedly professional and you would think they would monitor these actions. It just sucks that in today's time we have to be so careful. Someone is always lurking around.. I appreciate your support and advice!

13. AnonymousOctober 26,2024 at 12:47PM UTC

    Don't GIVE UP is my message to you Shannon. Yes- it is unfortunate that LinkedIn does not have better security measures in place to scan fake profiles. The same happened to me when I turned on my "Open to work " light on. You can tell they were fake, especially being in countries that I have no idea where they are. That was a huge red flag. What I did was immediately report them as fake profiles and blocked ever receiving anything else from them. There is just no way that immediately when you turn on your open to work, that you get 15 linked in message about work. There is obviously an algorithm the scammers have set in place to send these messages to LinkedIn profiles that turn it on.

    Just continue to be vigilant Shannon. It is easier said than done, believe me. I am going on 6 months myself. But as it relates to Christmas, I will tell you that lean into the social services that are available if you have not already. I have already signed my children up for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program which places them to receive either toys and/or clothes by a loving person who buys for them.

    Regardless, I am still blessed to have a roof, food on the table and make ends meet with what I have; yet I believe in a higher power which will get ALL of us through this time. We have to keep applying, networking is truly key now and just reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn. Some will reply and some will not. Either way you have to keep trying. Blessings to you!

14. AnonymousOctober 26,2024 at 11:48PM UTC

    Were you looking for remote HR work? Look at FLEXJOBS.com. I see there are a few listed but search by your town too.