LinkedIn

L.Jenkins

Anyone use LinkedIn to search for work? I find it's a great little tool to connect with recruiters and companies.

cantdecide

I'm just setting my profile up at the moment. Being at the lower skill end of the scale I'm agonising over the whole thing as to what's relevant and the like. Got any tips or advice?

SeanPuddin

Treat it like your CV in order to attract the correct people. Add people like a mad man. Sit back and watch the jobs roll in.

prince of peasants

I couldn't think of what to write so I ended up copying and pasting a profile similar to mine. Looks great

L.Jenkins

SeanPuddin wrote: »

Treat it like your CV in order to attract the correct people. Add people like a mad man. Sit back and watch the jobs roll in.

With respect to adding people, choose only the people from the industry you are intent on working in. Look for Recruiters and Managers also, who can advise you on how best to manage your profile to get best results.

Follow Companies and those who are regarded as influential in your area, as this will enable you to search the jobs you want and gain advice also.

seamus

There's a good thread here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=64307889

If you're job hunting (or open to a good offer), then keep your profile up-to-date and relevant. If your work is progressive and/or project-based, such as a technology consultant, be specific about what it is that you're working on, and add the detail to your profile when you start a new project (obviously without giving out sensitive information though!). "Technology Consultant with Accenture" doesn't really say much, but if you say that at present you're working on a multi-site MSSQL upgrade for a large finance house, then you're showing the skills that you actually have.

As the link above says, expand your network as wide as possible and make sure your profile is very visible. Because Ireland is so small, recruiters will scour their contact lists' 2nd and 3rd degree contacts for anyone relevant to the role, they won't focus on geographic areas or other unimportant restrictions. So it doesn't matter that you're a tech consultant and your friend is a freelance artist. At some point they've probably added a tech recruiter who will then be able to see your profile.

Tabnabs

What's the deal with more and more people only having the first letter of their surname?

beauf

Considering the number of skill endorsements people keeping adding to my account, (that I haven't done) I wouldn't be double checking everything you see on LinkedIn.

road_high

Tabnabs wrote: »

What's the deal with more and more people only having the first letter of their surname?

To be on it anonomously I'd imagine. Have a snoop at the jobs and other people's profiles while giving away none of your own info. A downside of Linkedin if you ask me.

Eoin

Yeah, it's one of the profile options here. I like that the anonymity option is there.

seamus

beauf wrote: »

Considering the number of skill endorsements people keeping adding to my account, (that I haven't done) I wouldn't be double checking everything you see on LinkedIn.

I don't think anyone pays attention to the endorsements. I've been endorsed for stuff that I've never worked on, by people I've never worked with.

I know people who've been endorsed for "International counter-terrorism negotiation", "Nuclear proliferation" and "Aboriginal Relations".

Recruiters would ignore that I'd say and just use the content of the profile to get in touch. Your linkedin profile will get you an interview. That's about it.

L.Jenkins

I like to monitor what skills I've been endorsed for, getting rid of what I have no experience with and adding what I am knowledgeable with. It's like everything, you have to monitor and keep an eye on your profile, updating it where necessary.

murphym7

Regarding skill endorsements, dont you have to select your skills first before someone can actually endorse you?

beauf

murphym7 wrote: »

Regarding skill endorsements, dont you have to select your skills first before someone can actually endorse you?

I have nothing on my profile. But have been endorsed. By people without any skills themselves in the area they are endorsing me for.

Niles

In the past I got a phone interview by applying through Linkedin and subsequently got offered a follow up interview, but just pointing out it is worth checking out.

red_bairn

seamus wrote: »

There's a good thread here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=64307889

If you're job hunting (or open to a good offer), then keep your profile up-to-date and relevant. If your work is progressive and/or project-based, such as a technology consultant, be specific about what it is that you're working on, and add the detail to your profile when you start a new project (obviously without giving out sensitive information though!). "Technology Consultant with Accenture" doesn't really say much, but if you say that at present you're working on a multi-site MSSQL upgrade for a large finance house, then you're showing the skills that you actually have.

As the link above says, expand your network as wide as possible and make sure your profile is very visible. Because Ireland is so small, recruiters will scour their contact lists' 2nd and 3rd degree contacts for anyone relevant to the role, they won't focus on geographic areas or other unimportant restrictions. So it doesn't matter that you're a tech consultant and your friend is a freelance artist. At some point they've probably added a tech recruiter who will then be able to see your profile.

Any advice for a MSc Graduate? I've recently completed my Skills Conversion at UCD and I'm finding it difficult to search for jobs because I have no experience. 15months straight without any internship and most places look for at 2years exp.

seamus

red_bairn wrote: »

Any advice for a MSc Graduate? I've recently completed my Skills Conversion at UCD and I'm finding it difficult to search for jobs because I have no experience. 15months straight without any internship and most places look for at 2years exp.

Entry-level jobs have a bad habit of looking for 1-2 years experience for "trainee" positions, or positions which don't really require 1-2 years experience.

Apply anyway. The worst that can happen is that you get no response.

There used to be old wisdom that the majority of people secure jobs through family and friends and not applying cold through ads. I think this still largely holds true, and Linkedin is just an extension of that. Go through your list of contacts, preferably those who've been working for a couple of years and who are remotely in the same space you want to get into. Are there jobs open in their companies? If so, meet them for a coffee, get your CV in as a referral (it holds a lot more weight).
Even if their company aren't actively advertising jobs, they may have open positions. Hell, a referred CV is always worthwhile even if they have nothing open right now.

red_bairn

seamus wrote: »

Entry-level jobs have a bad habit of looking for 1-2 years experience for "trainee" positions, or positions which don't really require 1-2 years experience.

Apply anyway. The worst that can happen is that you get no response.

There used to be old wisdom that the majority of people secure jobs through family and friends and not applying cold through ads. I think this still largely holds true, and Linkedin is just an extension of that. Go through your list of contacts, preferably those who've been working for a couple of years and who are remotely in the same space you want to get into. Are there jobs open in their companies? If so, meet them for a coffee, get your CV in as a referral (it holds a lot more weight).
Even if their company aren't actively advertising jobs, they may have open positions. Hell, a referred CV is always worthwhile even if they have nothing open right now.

Well my mum was speaking to her cousin the other night and she told her that I should send on my CV. I did and she said she'd talk to her boss tomorrow or Thursday. I have the opportunity to give the CV to her husband as well, he works for Ericsson.

There was a girl who was in my year in my undergraduate and she studied the same postgraduate course but before me. She gave in my CV to HR at Distilled Media but the HR person (who went to the debs with the little bro :rolleyes: ) said that they are looking for somebody with a few years experience to work on Mobile Development. But they have my CV on file in case a graduate job does pop up.

I applied for work at another friends company after he said on Facebook that his company was employing for various fields.

So apart from those I've been looking out for "graduate" + "IT" on various job search engines and searching up "graduate programmes" to see what companies are involved with these for IT graduates.

I have an interview tomorrow for a short term (3 month - Web Developer) job, I've applied to help at a nearby CoderDojo, which will be held at my Secondary School, and I got an email from TripAdvisor yesterday about doing a Coding Test andinterview if the test is successful. So plenty of things starting to happen already.

beauf

Ask all your friends and family. Someone always knows someone. If the job you get isn't ideal, but gets experience on your CV it maybe worth it or that.

Do your own projects and volunteer. Being able to talk through that work will stand to you and look well on a CV.

martomcg

red_bairn wrote: »

Well my mum was speaking to her cousin the other night and she told her that I should send on my CV. I did and she said she'd talk to her boss tomorrow or Thursday. I have the opportunity to give the CV to her husband as well, he works for Ericsson.

There was a girl who was in my year in my undergraduate and she studied the same postgraduate course but before me. She gave in my CV to HR at Distilled Media but the HR person (who went to the debs with the little bro :rolleyes: ) said that they are looking for somebody with a few years experience to work on Mobile Development. But they have my CV on file in case a graduate job does pop up.

I applied for work at another friends company after he said on Facebook that his company was employing for various fields.

So apart from those I've been looking out for "graduate" + "IT" on various job search engines and searching up "graduate programmes" to see what companies are involved with these for IT graduates.

I have an interview tomorrow for a short term (3 month - Web Developer) job, I've applied to help at a nearby CoderDojo, which will be held at my Secondary School, and I got an email from TripAdvisor yesterday about doing a Coding Test andinterview if the test is successful. So plenty of things starting to happen already.

Hi red_bairn,

My company has a graduate program that recruits several times a year (i'm not a recruiter, just a lowely employee). Its an IT company, specificaly software analysis/test. The graduate intake requires no experience just a technical aptitude. Based in Dublin.

If you've any interest send me a PM.

You get a job, i get a referral fee. Win win.

micromary

Can someone advise what is the best way to use Linkedin for job searching and how to get the best of it? I used Premium when I was a employer and did not find it great at all.

donnacha

Tabnabs wrote: »

What's the deal with more and more people only having the first letter of their surname?

Its to do with LinkedIn trying to sell premium annual membership - they keep changing what different levels of accounts give access to.

seamus

You can change your level of privacy. If you want the world to be able to see you, you can have it open. Or you can have only your initials visible to non-premium members. Or you can be private.

Linkedin's strategy is to get most jobhunters onto a semi-private profiles (i.e. name and letter) so they can sell premium membership to recruiters.

red_bairn

Even though I've accepted a Web Developer (paid Internship) starting on Wednesday, I've been contacted by a recruiter (on LinkedIn) for PHP opportunities. Maybe I can have another job lined up after I'm finished at the Web Developer job. :P

x43r0

I asked a friend who works for LinkedIn for tips on improving my profile

The main one I took from the conversation was the importance of the summary section at the top. Apparently the text in that section has a higher weighting in their search engine

Basically, put any important keywords in this section as searches will scan this part of your profile first

Annasopra

I applied for a job recently and someone who works in more or less the same job added me - I'm not sure if it's a coincidence - I don't use linkedin that much. Should I contact her? I am half expecting to be called for interview for the job.

L.Jenkins

mango salsa wrote: »

I applied for a job recently and someone who works in more or less the same job added me - I'm not sure if it's a coincidence - I don't use linkedin that much. Should I contact her? I am half expecting to be called for interview for the job.

I use LinkedIn for the purpose of getting in touch with as many people in the industry I'm aiming to get into and Recruiters who source people for IT roles, so I would say contact her and see what happens.

SPM1959

Query about LinkedIn and I didn't want to start a new thread.

I've sent a few messages recently and want to know is there any way to check if they have been read yet?

simoon86

red_bairn wrote: »

So apart from those I've been looking out for "graduate" + "IT" on various job search engines and searching up "graduate programmes" to see what companies are involved with these for IT graduates.

... and I got an email from TripAdvisor yesterday about doing a Coding Test and interview if the test is successful.

I'm in the same boat right now. Would like to go to the TripAdvisor coding test and interview, reading about algorithms for different data structures. Do you remember the structure of their interview, what did they ask? Just to imagine the level of knowledge I have to show.

fermanagh_man

Don't treat linkedin like Facebook or Twitter

Remember it's a professional network

I have connections who very regularly update there profile pictures daily, these pictures are also what you'd expect on Facebook

SPM1959

I'm seeing more and more of this too. I think some people don't understand what the purpose of the site is.

Ray Palmer

fermanagh_man wrote: »

Don't treat linkedin like Facebook or Twitter

Remember it's a professional network

I have connections who very regularly update there profile pictures daily, these pictures are also what you'd expect on Facebook

What surprises me is so many of the recruitment agents have terrible un professional pictures on their profiles. Pictures cropped from group pictures , outdoor pictures with their hair blown half over their face the weirdest was a bikini picture. There was a weird agent from the UK that seemed to have a lot of woman working for them and all the shots were like glamour photos. I thought the company was well dodgy as result. All the woman appeared to be Russian and under 30 too.
It sounds a bit sexist looking over what I wrote but it just seems guys stick to very simple pictures of them with a tie on in an office, but I have seen some odd pictures from guys too but mostly them involved in sports.

Greenmachine

Some useful tips here. Thanks guys.

razorblunt

fermanagh_man wrote: »

Don't treat linkedin like Facebook or Twitter

Remember it's a professional network

I have connections who very regularly update there profile pictures daily, these pictures are also what you'd expect on Facebook

The growing trend of like and sharing photos and "puzzles" is unprofessional too. What's the point of this? Do they harvest the names of those who liked or commented on it?
Some of them have god awful typos too.

Eoin

Ugh, all those maths quizzes... I think it's mostly just people trying to get their profile in front of more people when a picture they upload is shared by other people. The corny motivational quotes are a bit OTT too.

I'm sure LinkedIn are delighted with people doing it, as it's getting people interacting more often with the site.

I think the good thing about LinkedIn is that you often don't have to do a huge amount for it to be useful. About all I do there is keep my job titles up-to-date and respond to connection requests. There's a lot of companies (agencies & direct) using it for recruitment these days, so it's worthwhile.

ongarboy

I'm a little cynical about how effective Linkedin really is too. No disrespect to the Yanks (whom I love), but I sometimes wonder if LinkedIn is a little too "American" for the Irish. This whole irony free networking and endorsing with complete strangers.....

I was job seeking last year and was encouraged to create a profile. Yes, I got some unsolicited connection requests from recruitment agency reps but often they'd send a connection request without sending a mail introducing themselves or explaining why they wanted to connect and I never subsequently heard from them. Like another poster said, I also got endorsements for skills from acquaintances I never directly worked with for skills which were not necessarily my forte. What was the motivation - so I'd endorse them back for skills I wouldn't be aware they had??

I don't think it had any influence whatsoever in assisting me in securing new employment but I guess it must work for lots of other people, right?

Eoin

ongarboy wrote: »

I don't think it had any influence whatsoever in assisting me in securing new employment but I guess it must work for lots of other people, right?

Absolutely it does - though it might depend on the industry. I'd say half the requests I get from recruitment agents are the vague ones with no follow up (but no harm adding them), but the other half are all genuine job opportunities - and some from companies directly too, not just agencies.

The endorsements thing is really stupid though; absolutely meaningless.

SPM1959

Does anyone here pay for LinkedIn services? I always get emails asking me to subscribe.

Is it worthwhile to do so (I will be job seeking next month) and what are the real benefits, if any?

L.Jenkins

SPM1959 wrote: »

Does anyone here pay for LinkedIn services? I always get emails asking me to subscribe.

Is it worthwhile to do so (I will be job seeking next month) and what are the real benefits, if any?

I've never paid for LinkedIn services and never will. It's not worth the money I could spend on something I actually need or could use. I simply connect with persons in recruitment and IT. That usually works for me when I'm seeking work.

skallywag

I think it's a pretty good professional networking service all in all, which can be very useful when tracking down former colleagues, classmates, etc. The most effective profiles, in my opinion at least, are crisp and to the point, some people certainly have a tendancy to over-do it, especially when it comes to recommendations.

Naked Lepper

i set mine up a while back and regularly get contacted by recruiters who saw my profile

i am happy where i am so havent followed up with any interviews but i know it will be a valuable tool in the future should i decide to move to a different company

Sunny Dayz

Is there any point in having a Linked In profile if you are not lookings for a job. I am happy in my current job and have no desire to move elsewhere. Is there anything more to Linked In than that?

skallywag

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Is there any point in having a Linked In profile if you are not lookings for a job. I am happy in my current job and have no desire to move elsewhere. Is there anything more to Linked In than that?

Yes. It's a great tool for finding old colleagues / contacts etc. It's often the case that some people you are due to meet with / work with may also wish to look up your profile beforehand.

youcancallmeal

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Is there any point in having a Linked In profile if you are not lookings for a job. I am happy in my current job and have no desire to move elsewhere. Is there anything more to Linked In than that?

I found it's great for helping me refer people on for roles. Only recently a person I worked with years ago was looking at a job my company was advertising, they went to that company's linkedin page. From there they saw that I was an employee so they gave me a shout and asked me to refer them for the role. It didn't work out in the end but if they had gotten the job I would of gotten a nice referral bonus. I've also applied for roles this way, I find referrals are much more likely to get you an interview than the traditional cover letter and cv approach.

wrt40

It's basically an online business card (granted, a very detailed business card). linking up is the same as handing someone your business card and saying "give me a call if you ever need a solicitor".

My approach, and its been a very successful approach over 15 years and 6 jobs, is the "don't contact me with your bullsh!t jobs, I'll contact you if you have anything worth applying for" approach. In otherwords, I'll search job websites and if I see a job I'm interested in I'll ring the agency and apply for it. People who sit back and wait for the perfect job to land in their linkedin inbox are simply not trying hard enough. Look at it from the agencies perspective, do they want to go chasing people hiding behind social media, the majority of which are going to waste their time by pursuing jobs they are not really suited to or people who aren't even on the market but just going along with it because they got contacted via linkedin, "like so cool". Or do they want someone to ring them and say I'd like to apply for the job you have advertised, have a chat about their experience, why they like the job, how they are suited to the job and follow it up by sending them their updated cv? I know which candidate I'd put forward.

What's the advantage of being contacted via linkedin versus getting a phone call? It's actually a disadvantage. They'll mass contact everyone they know on the off chance that they might just get a good candidate out of it. Throw enough sh!t and eventually something will stick. But they're only going to phone you if you are a serious candidate, at least in a short list of serious candidates.

I honestly think people read too much into linkedin and it's usefulness. If you're looking for a job, you'll get it through the traditional closed network approach of contacting an agency directly. Putting your cv online for the world to see (and in many cases for everyone to see that you're a bullshtter) simply is not necessary to find a job.

Now if you just want a social network to brag about how many people you are professionally linked with (the majority of which you actually have little or no connection with), then by all means knock yourself out. but don't kid yourself into thinking its something useful.

skallywag

wrt40 wrote: »

... to brag about how many people you are professionally linked with (the majority of which you actually have little or no connection with), then by all means knock yourself out..

This does indeed have a certain element of truth to it! :-)

Crimsonforce

whats the point of linkedin if people have viewed you and they have set there profile set to

"This member chose to be shown as anonymous" or the other one "Someone on LinkedIn viewed you"

what help is that with anything? more of a voyeuristic approach to business..

how is linkedin suppose to help you get biz or get a job if that's the way it's set up..

all because these people have paid 30 something a month to be a member?

Eoin

Anyone can choose to anonymously view profiles as far as I know; and I don't think it's a bad thing necessarily.

Stheno

Eoin wrote: »

Anyone can choose to anonymously view profiles as far as I know; and I don't think it's a bad thing necessarily.

You can do it as a free member, you just change your account settings to private

SPM1959

Is it possible to temporary deactivate your LinkedIn profile - like you can with Facebook?

beauf

Just use a different browser, where you're not logged in.