LinkedIn

scunermac

Just wondering how effective LinkedIn has been for others out there.

I was recently laid off and have only gotten around to updating my profile. However, I am starting to wonder if it really helps to gain employment.

I'd be curious to hear other people's views on this. Cheers guys.

Rosiejane

Hi

I am on LinkedIn, but have not found it any help to get a job..I do use it to follow companies and for info.

Does not hurt though to be on it and keep your profile updated, you never know.
This only my experience others may different.

All the best

scunermac

Cheers Rosie.

Looks like it can be helpful in certain circumstances. I'm just hoping it can give me an edge when looking for a new job.

strandroad

Just fill in your profile well and make connections. I did not get a job through it because I'm already in the job I like but I get contacted by recruiters regularly. I can tell they are searching by keywords because if I update my profile with a new skill somehow I am contacted about a job spec having to do with this skill specifically.

scunermac

Thats great advice mhge. I really need to have a look at my profile and make sure that it contains many industry 'Buzz-words'. I didn't even think of this, but it really does make sense. So thank you.

The Hill Billy

It depends on how you want to use it to be honest. I'm a freelancer & find it very useful for keeping in touch with other freelancers, people in the business sectors that I work in & recruiters that specialise in my area.

However, LinkedIn will not get you a job. You need to do that yourself by making your own contacts & keeping pressure on the agencies that you are dealing with. LinkedIn is a tool to manage your contacts & obtain information on the businesses & industries that you are seeking employment in.

By creating a suitably-worded (& honest) profile it can also attract recruiters that may have roles relevant to your skills.

Best of luck!

mickman

i work in IT and have been contacted by companies and recruiters about jobs. No idea what its like for other careers though

MilfordBud

I keep my LinkedIn profile updated fairly regularly and get emails from recruiters quite often.

I have no experience with using it for job searching but it seems similar to any other jobs site. I would advise joining a lot of groups to do with your profession as this is how I seem to get contacted.

pcardin

same here. I'm in the job but regulary receive offers from recruiters and some companies.

FMeck

I've found LinkedIn to be very useful in searching for jobs in the past. I have over 600 connections and am contacted regulary by recruitment agencies.
The best way to use LinkedIn, in my opinion, is to request as many connections in your field of work as possible. Search for companies you would be interested in working for and request the HR members of that company to connect with you ( also request managers). This way of using LinkedIn proved very successful for me. Best of luck

Joneser

I think the effectiveness of LinkedIn depends a lot on what area or work you are involved in and what stage of your career you are at.

I have just finished a computer science degree and I set up my LinkedIn about half way through my final year which has resulted in recruiters contacting me about once every two weeks. And if you do get contacted by recruiters, add them as a contact on LinkedIn so that the other recruiters they are connected to are able to see you.

irlrobins

I primarily use LinkedIn to keep track of contacts that I've worked with in the past. I find it useful to get some background info on potential new clients and/or employees.

I've received a number of job postings from both recruiters and firms and one job offer (wasn't actively looking for new job). I know of a couple people who have moved work based on initial approaches via LinkedIn.

I also use LinkedIn to advertise any jobs my firm might have via my status updates.

LinkedIn might not get you a job directly, but it can definitely help you find a job, or help potential employers who might be researching you. So keep your profile up to date and give as much info as you're willing to give. And key thing is to have a good professional photograph.

Will_H

^^^^^ +1....

No one will get you a job but you! (Best of luck with the job hunting btw).

Check this out: LinkedIn: Busting 8 Damaging Myths About What It Can Do For Your Career http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2011/09/13/linkedin-busting-8-damaging-myths-about-what-it-can-do-for-your-career/

testicle

Hmm, I've never had any recruiters contact me.

helimachoptor

I'd get emails/mails via linkedin from recruiters often enough. You can also see who is looking at your profile - which can be quite helpful.

Hockney

I'm currently job hunting, and have found it very useful, especially when searching for jobs. I've found jobs on there which I've seen advertised nowhere else.

As my experience is technical engineering, my profile is full of acronyms, equipment models etc, i.e keywords that recruiters would be punching in when looking for someone with my skills. I've had lot of contact from recruiters directing me to an opportunity here or there, which is great. But as said before it's up to you to follow these things up in a professional manner, have your CV up to scratch etc. LinkedIn can start the ball rolling though.

At the moment there's also a free 30 day trial of the Jobseekers upgrade to your profile, which lets recruiters see you're actively looking for work aswell was some other nice features like seeing who exactly is looking at your profile when you come up in searches, so you can do the chasing up yourself.

One thing I would be careful about however, is that if you're currently employed full time and looking for a promotion/raise/whatever, it's stupid to have your LinkedIn profile stipulating you're looking for career opportunities.

LinkedIn is out there for all to see (google your own name and profession and it'll be in the first ten hits unless you've changed privacy settings), and stuff like this shows a lack of commitment to your existing company.

Overall though, a great resource.

the_syco

Forgot why I haven't used it in a while, so logged on. Now I remember: when I navigate through the site, it keeps bringing me back to the main page automatically. Really pisses me off after the 4th time it happens :mad:

spadesaspade

the_syco wrote: »

Forgot why I haven't used it in a while, so logged on. Now I remember: when I navigate through the site, it keeps bringing me back to the main page automatically. Really pisses me off after the 4th time it happens :mad:

Havent had this issue.

I find it pretty good been self employed. Its a good way to Network, something that small business tend to forget to do

mikemac1

Hockney wrote: »

One thing I would be careful about however, is that if you're currently employed full time and looking for a promotion/raise/whatever, it's stupid to have your LinkedIn profile stipulating you're looking for career opportunities.

From my own profile and most of the people I've connected to which is about thirty, most just left all the options ticked.
Don't have it open in front of me but I've six to eight different things that come up in the profile

So I see everyone seeking career opportunities including me but tbh the only reason that's there is it's the default option and never bothered to change it

whatnext

Its amazing how how many times I see CV's and LinkedIn profiles that don't match up. Employers / Contract duration / Working Title / Seniority etc etc.

A lot of interviewers will check these days.

Irish_Elect_Eng

With LinkedIn, you can be to the point with your status:

"I desperately need an new Job"

Or a little more subtle

"Enjoying working in software development on the cutting edge, continually looking for new challenges to stretch my project management skills"

I think that LinkedIn works best if you have a network built up over several years of work, with people that you have a professional relationship with. You can then leverage those contacts during your job search.

focus_mad

Managed to get a job interview out of LinkedIn...fingers crossed