What are your thoughts on having a LinkedIn profile?

47 Comments

1. AlineSeptember 15,2023 at 2:55PM UTC

   I used to work as a sourcing coordinator for a national corporation and we sourced candidates exclusively from LinkedIn. LinkedIn has several privacy settings -- hopefully one matches your comfort level. Good luck!

2. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 5:49PM UTC

   Thank you.
   Does it matter if you have only a few connections (which is what I will have starting out)?

3. AlineSeptember 17,2023 at 1:30AM UTC

   You're welcome! I never look at the number of connections a candidate has, I look for experience, education, and qualifications. Recruiters and sourcers have to meet daily and weekly quotas and have an eye for specifics. Make sure you have your important info at the top of your LinkedIn profile and not buried at the bottom. Use your summary statement to entice recruiters to read further. Check out information on setting up a LinkedIn profile online. You'll do a great job. Good luck!

4. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 5:24AM UTC

   Thank you so much!

5. AlineSeptember 18,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

   You're very welcome!

6. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 2:56PM UTC

   Like you, I am a private person and find LinkedIn to be nothing but the business side of Facebook where people are just nosy about you. However, it does seem like recruiters use it a fair amount to learn more about you and who you associate with as well as things you post, occasionally you will find informative articles and they do post jobs but I have never had anyone reach out to me because of it. (To provide some credibility to my background, I am 4 time college graduate, executive in my 50s, seeking opportunity) It has otherwise shown absolutely ZERO value. I have better things to do with my time than troll through all that nonsense. Best of luck in your decision.

7. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 3:07PM UTC

   I am a 60 year old professional and I keep my LinkedIn profile up to date always - you never know when you will need it. I find it to be a way to further expand on my resume - I can provide more details for each job than I can on a resume. I can also list courses taken to build my expertise that are not just my college degree. I have slowly built up my community (not followers! LOL) and have asked several to write a recommendation on my LinkedIn. That way, they don't need to be contacted each time I apply for a job. I don't spend a lot of time on there looking through all the posts. But once in awhile I get on and re-post anything that seems valuable to my industry. If you are applying for jobs and are being interviewed by anyone under 40, they will expect to see a LinkedIn profile. I am consciously fighting against any age stereotypes by staying relevant and knowledgeable with the latest tech and hiring strategies. I think LinkedIn helps me look professional and not outdated - someone that a younger person would consider hiring because I don't seem like their mom (or grandma!)

8. Johanna MasonSeptember 15,2023 at 3:17PM UTC

   Like you, I didn't add a profile. Its been about 2 yrs now, slowly adding more to my profile. Keeping in touch with past coworkers it worth it!

9. Debra SesholtzSeptember 15,2023 at 4:00PM UTC

   If you are job searching, you should set up a LinkedIn profile. So many recruiters now use LinkedIn to find potential candidates. Keep your profile professional. Think of it as an online resume and not highlight the thing you would like a potential employer to know. There are plenty of resources online that provide advice on setting up your profile. Follow companies where you would like to work, Connect with colleagues and contacts at companies where you seek employment. You have to start somewhere. Good luck!

10. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 5:55PM UTC

    This is very helpful. Thanks!

11. Sue ColerickSeptember 15,2023 at 4:09PM UTC

    I am a private person but utilize LinkedIn. Not only is it great for networking and job hunting, they have pages and groups to follow that keep you up-to-date on marketing trends, new products and services, along with job openings and training. Because of LinkedIn, I was able to connect with previous colleagues that shared job opportunities at their companies that I am now interviewing for. I have been unemployed for six weeks and have more doors open to me than I did 12 years ago when it took me a year to find another job. Also, don't be afraid to connect with strangers that are in roles you want to be in. Many are willing to connect and share information. I went from 50 followers to over 300.

12. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 5:56PM UTC

    Thank you. I would never have thought to connect w strangers.

13. Donna ColeSeptember 15,2023 at 4:25PM UTC

    LinkedIn has many features that get you in front of the right people. I know if I like or comment on blogs in my industry. My views shoot up to 40-45 people. The more exposure you have the more likely someone will hire you. The networking capacities has landed me four contracts.

14. Katt JorgensenSeptember 15,2023 at 4:46PM UTC

    Yes, highly recommend making one and start connecting with as many people in your field as possible. LinkedIn does cut you off after reaching so many people in one day. It is one of the best ways to find new opportunities as well.

15. Nancy ExniciosSeptember 15,2023 at 4:54PM UTC

    You really are missing out on a lot of opportunities by not having one and perhaps making yourself appear to be older and out of touch. You don't have to put your personal information out there, but think of it as an online resume.

16. Heather (she/her)September 15,2023 at 5:07PM UTC

    I've had a lot of luck with LinkedIn when it comes to making (and keeping) professional connections, and it's also how I've found my last several jobs.

17. SofiaSeptember 15,2023 at 5:13PM UTC

    Highly recommended! I focus on building my network + strong connections, rather than a following. Also, there a ton of helpful tools (courses, virtual events, groups) that benefit a ton!

18. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 5:33PM UTC

    Great advice. I also use it for networking, it really is a great tool, and contains training, etc.

19. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 5:17PM UTC

    I think it wouldn't hurt as long as you keep it current. My last two jobs I can thank LI for and I have had several legit recruiters reach out to me through there. I belong to several specific industry or professional groups on LI and find it to be very valuable to me.

20. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 16,2023 at 3:18AM UTC

    I think it could be very beneficial. You're under no obligation to post anything personal - it's not facebook - it's for professional networking.

    I would think you'd be looking for connections rather than followers. Certainly if you're in an active job search I would strongly recommend it - they have probably the best general interest job board there is.

    Personally, I use it from the user side and I also have a LinkedIn Recruiter license.

21. Erica MitchellSeptember 16,2023 at 11:09AM UTC

    Absolutely! LinkedIn will help you network and get noticed by recruiters. Start connecting with and following people.

22. AnonymousSeptember 16,2023 at 12:00PM UTC

    Out of necessity. I get the reason and the convenience.

    But I'm sick of LinkedIn ads and social media in general

23. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 4:30PM UTC

    I took a break from LinkedIn for a while and shut off notifications. It helped. I just went back today to update skills, etc. When I was on there more regularly I blocked out limited time blocks (9-11am on Tuesdays & Thursday) to do what I needed (make comments on posts, occasionally post content, look at job listings, etc). But mostly taking a big break away (weeks or months) seemed to help the most with LI burnout.

24. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 6:35PM UTC

    I do the same. I'm happy for other's accomplishments, but if I received a notification everytime someone posted --! Can't do it. As an aside, I had to stop FB for the same reason. Some have commented that I owe an update daily. Sorry, but no. They got my phone number.... they can call

25. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 6:26PM UTC

    Me too, I couldn't take the barrage of emails. And constant suggestions. I see the value but I want peace too!

26. Alexis GladstoneSeptember 16,2023 at 1:07PM UTC

    Absolutely in today's world you need one. Whether we like it or not, we are all a brand and social media is one way to share who we are in our words rather than letting others tell our story.

    You don't need to add a lot of details to your profile, but having the presence on the platform is definitely beneficial.

    As others have pointed out there are a lot of great tools, learning opportunities and job postings that you may be able to benefit from. And of course, building your network which is important.

27. JennySeptember 17,2023 at 6:25PM UTC

    I've worked in industries that prefered less social media and online presence due to the issues that are cropping up. But by large some are requiring some presence. One VP that I worked for was illiterate which is a real disability but she was also a bully. She has dozens of recommendations on linked in. She's never worked longer than a year in the past 20 years. She never worked. All of her accomplishments are made up. This probably isn't as rare as most of us think. Especially on social media where there's mutual collusion lol. We all help each other out.

28. Alexis GladstoneSeptember 17,2023 at 7:35PM UTC

    I've read your other responses and I'm sorry about the bullying and the negative experiences you've had Jenny. It's disheartening to hear. You are right that some people use these platforms to bully. that's why it's great that you can block people on LI so they can't even see your profile.

    The OP asked for our perspective and I've given mine. We all need to make our own choices as to where to put our time and energy.

29. JennySeptember 17,2023 at 2:58AM UTC

    It depends if you're a minority and what you look like to be honest among other things. I've found that in the location where I am looking for a job, it's best to be slightly more private and mysterious to nab a job interview. At which point they become a bit too curious and ask for quite a bit of demographic information that are not job related. However if none of this applies and you live in an area that is basically equal or fair, you don't have to use your birth name or current photo. I used to work in HR and I can tell you the comments I've heard from managers that order on racial profiling, age or lookism happen too often. Though not egregious, in today's world, in all practical terms, you need a job, Get one almost any way you can. Good luck.

30. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 5:18AM UTC

    That’s sickening to hear about how some HR professionals act. And thank you, I appreciate the insider information.

31. JennySeptember 17,2023 at 6:14PM UTC

    They were really amazing people though. And so thoughtful and kind. They were bullied by the director of the organizaiton. However, when it comes to hiring, all bets are off. They act like it's the end of the world to hire anyone. Its just a risk aversiveness that is too extra. Studies show that picking a random resume froma qualified list yeilds better results than just 1-2 hiring managers. Its because of bias. We all have it and when the hiring managers belong to one demographic, they tend to view minorities with more scruitiny. One day an asian male candidate who was well qualified and good looking came in with a professional demeanor and suit but was later rejected due to his percieved age. The director said, "how old is he" and then answered his own question by saying you never know with those people. He's rescued women from domestic violence and raised children that weren't his own when the mother aboandoned them. But yet, the racial issues still persist. Why? Not sure. They ended up hiring a white man the same age with similar experience. But he was a victim too. The HR director fired him knowing that he did not have a visa without their employment. She's now head of HR for another corporation. He didn't have a car, visa, just singed a year lease and spoke broken english, he was hired over a polished candidate with a great personality. Sometimes I don't know what to think. These things are happening to all people.

32. JennySeptember 17,2023 at 3:00AM UTC

    Its also not private in any way. The system is difficult to use and you may be connected to someone that bullied you in the past. I am bullied frequently in jobs so to have them linked to me or for them to view my profile would be the opposite of networking. But not everyone has this experience so if you are looking to expand your circle and don't mind the social media aspect of it that gets too political and emotionally draining you could set up something basic with a fake email address. For me it's a hard no.

33. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 5:13AM UTC

    That’s awful. I’m so sorry that you have had people do that to you. People can be such jerks. I hope you find a job where you are treated with respect. I know how you feel. I had one awful experience. I practically cried everyday at work. Thankfully, I eventually switched roles at the company and got away from them, but it took a while. :/

34. JennySeptember 17,2023 at 6:06PM UTC

    The boss I complained about for exhibiting stalkerish behavior (following me around the office and going by me desk up to 5 times an hour and demanding I tell him when I go to the bathroom) made me out to be crazy. When I left the job, he came by my new job and stared at me for 10 minutes. But pretended to be waiting in line to buy something. He could have gone to another line. Anyways when I went to set up a linkedin, his profile repeatedly came up since I worked for a huge corporation but very specific field. I cried everyday. Between the man who looked up my home address and asked me where I lived (he already knew based on comments he made about where I live) and my boss who would follow me around, it took about 2 years to feel safer. I also tried switching roles but you need a recommendation from your boss to do so. He used to be a school principal and would make comments like children lie, theyre horrible creature, they accuse men of wrong doing. I just had a mental breakdown because loving children is the only way to make the world better and that was just plain ole hate. How were you able to leave the situation? Jobs seem so hard to come by these days.

35. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 12:18PM UTC

    Yes, you really should consider it. I didn’t have one either until I was laid off and trying to relocate and change career fields and knew I needed one. I started with very few followers from my previous company, added friends and acquaintances I knew from “real life” and then also started finding and connecting with strangers that did similar work to the job I wanted in the state I wanted to live in. I’m up to over 400 connections now. Also I fully optimized my profile, researching what the best headline and summary were and how to list skills and experiences. I will say I rewrote my summary recently using chatgpt and I feel like it’s so much stronger and showcases me a lot better.

    All this said, I have a love hate relationship with LinkedIn bc I’m an introvert and hate networking and talking to strangers so I don’t interact a lot now that I have a job, but I do think it helped me some when I was finding one and will probably help in the future.

36. Jessica FerlandSeptember 17,2023 at 1:11PM UTC

    I love LinkedIn for networking. This is my professional go to. You should do it.

37. maria roseSeptember 17,2023 at 3:07PM UTC

    You can set up a Linkedln account with a basic no frills setup which lists your skills and interests and types of areas, people and companies you have an interest in. If you remember that this is not a place to post personal lifestyle information but only work/ business related activities and topics, you can avoid the issue of getting your personal lifestyle intermixed into your business work related activities. It is a good place to network with others in your related fields of interest as long as you keep the interchanges professional. Do not use your Linkedln account as if you are an influencer on a social media platform and it will help you get more network exposure professionally.

38. QSeptember 17,2023 at 4:31PM UTC

    I strongly recommend making one. It’s not intended for use like Facebook or Twitter. Think of it as a high level overview of your professional experience. You do not have to accept any connections you don’t want to, but it lets you plant your professional flag in the sand to say, “These are my skills. This is what I’ve accomplished.” You can also control how much information can be seen publicly - meaning what someone just searching for you can see who doesn’t even have a LinkedIn account.

39. KellyW43September 17,2023 at 5:23PM UTC

    It's not hard to build a following with linkedin. You would be surprised how many people you know have an account. It's not a personal thing, but business related. You're not putting in there what you did on Saturday night, you're putting your professional accomplishments out there. An employer wants to see that and it may assist in your search.

    I would recommend one.

40. AnonymousSeptember 17,2023 at 5:33PM UTC

    Yes do sign up, if you are worried about privacy use a separate email for this and also use last initial only. These days some areas of expertise look for how well connected you are when considering you so the person you hurt by not having one is yourself if you are in a job search. This does not mean that you should use it as social media, it is intended as a professional platform only. Connect to those whom you have worked with in the past that you could count of or reference for or be referenced by and that will grow your network. Keep in mind that they will require you to use your personal phone number for authentication when you log in and a google voice number does not work. They are owned by microsoft so your information will be part of their record going forward if it is not already.

41. JennySeptember 17,2023 at 6:15PM UTC

    But if you look a certain way, strategically it could be better to land a job interview first. It's worked out better. Several employers have told me I look like a child so I feel that my skills become more front and center at work than online. And I'd bet many women face similar hurdles.

42. Marcia SmithSeptember 17,2023 at 6:21PM UTC

    I think it is very important. Don't worry, you can build up your connections if you spend some time.

43. Andréa BSeptember 17,2023 at 6:41PM UTC

    I am a career coach and résumé writer. LinkedIn is important to your job search strategy. It’s like not having a resume these days.

44. Jennifer Wirffel AskinSeptember 18,2023 at 3:08AM UTC

    I think it is important depending on your field. But I find it to be very fake and just show offs.

45. AnonymousSeptember 18,2023 at 6:44AM UTC

    I've never created one.
    I've networked with colleagues my entire career to get my jobs but never via LinkedIn. It just never mattered in my career. I'm very close to retirement so it doesn't hold much value for me or my network now for me personally. I can pickup the phone and speak directly to key leadership.

    For my younger colleagues, they offer my contact info for references and text me with career questions. We will meet for coffee or lunch when the subject requires more discussion. I make myself available anytime for mentoring (when ive offered) since I know how important that is. So while I'm sure LinkedIn serves a purpose for many, I keep my network personal because I'm no longer building my career. I am mostly sitting on boards.

46. Keeya Wang-JonesSeptember 18,2023 at 12:55PM UTC

    Professionally, you need a LinkedIn page. It’s your digital resume even if you don’t engage in the social aspect. I advise all my mentees to have a LinkedIn page for recruiters, job opportunities, mentorship, and networking.

    The world is a social media stew and yes it’s frustrating but it’s the world we live in. I’m honestly heavily active on LinkedIn in and barely engage any other social media.

    Because the market is so competitive due to social media, I feel like one missing details, the application algorithms move on. LinkedIn for job hunting is a must-have.

    It’s unfair but it’s how the world operates.

47. Cindy GrossSeptember 19,2023 at 2:43AM UTC

    If you're looking for a job I would highly recommend LinkedIn. Unless you have a really robust network of sponsors and connections then LinkedIn is the easiest path forward.