Is a LinkedIn profile necessary?

pennydreadful

I've just graduated from a masters and have noticed that almost all my peers have LinkedIn profiles. I haven't set one up as of yet as I am unsure of the advantages. I know some employers give the option to provide a link to your profile but is it really necessary to have one? I've always been pretty private about my online activity so I'm reluctant to set one up but obviously will bite the bullet if I have to!
Would love some opinions.

srsly78

Depends on your field. Recruiters use it (unsurprisingly). Good for entrepreneurs as well. But anyone else can probably survive without it.

Neon_Lights

yes.

Teyla Emmagan

They're a great opportunity to present yourself professionally. Otherwise your online profile may depict you as an inane twit (Facebook) or a raving lunatic (Twitter). I've got jobs on the back of my LinkedIn profile. Also it gets to the stage where you're weird if you don't have one. In a "what are you hiding" way. Depends on your industry of course. I'm in IT and pretty much all my peers would have one.

Hollister11

If your a "professional" (I hate that term) than yes. It goes a long way.

Otherwise no.

noel100

I know of a person who had got a prestigeous internship in london. They turned down the internship a few days later due to the fact the person had no linkedin profile. The person still has no linkedin profile and is getting on very well in chosen career.

Zascar

I always have to laugh at people who refuse to be on linkedin. Why would you not want to advertise yourself? What's the risk? You can lock down the privacy if you really want but seriously - what do you think is going to happen? Have you ever heard of something bad happening because of someone having a linkedin? It depends on the industry but for most it's absolutely essential. All the big tech companies judge you on it. I put quote a bit of effort into mine and I get at least 1-2 recruiters a month offering jobs.

...And Justice

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

They're a great opportunity to present yourself professionally. Otherwise your online profile may depict you as an inane twit (Facebook) or a raving lunatic (Twitter). I've got jobs on the back of my LinkedIn profile. Also it gets to the stage where you're weird if you don't have one. In a "what are you hiding" way. Depends on your industry of course. I'm in IT and pretty much all my peers would have one.

This annoys me, I'm in engineering and I've nothing to hide, but I'm reluctant to create a LinkedIn profile because I see fellow engineers and peers looking through other professionals profiles of people that they know or worked with and the Slagging is unreal!! "He's a ****in spoofer, fcuking lies...all of it" I hear this regularly, so what's the point?

pennydreadful

Zascar wrote: »

I always have to laugh at people who refuse to be on linkedin. Why would you not want to advertise yourself? What's the risk? You can lock down the privacy if you really want but seriously - what do you think is going to happen? Have you ever heard of something bad happening because of someone having a linkedin? It depends on the industry but for most it's absolutely essential. All the big tech companies judge you on it. I put quote a bit of effort into mine and I get at least 1-2 recruiters a month offering jobs.

I don't know how funny it is that some people are conscious of their online presence, there are people that go to far greater lengths to remain hidden online than not setting up a LinkedIn. Also, I'm not refusing, I'm willing to set one up if it would be of benefit, hence this thread. I certainly can see the benefits of having a profile but as others have mentioned, there are some drawbacks that colleagues have also pointed out.

Thanks for the food for thought all, I most likely will set one up, seems like a good way to put yourself out there!

The high horse brigade

I'm the only person I know who got my job completely through LinkedIn, and not through a recruitment agency

srsly78

Yes everyone in tech is on it, but it's worthless for most of us. I never got a job from it, just spam from useless recruiters.

Mr_Muffin

No, you don't need a LinkedIn account.

scamalert

Zascar wrote: »

I put quote a bit of effort into mine and I get at least 1-2 recruiters a month offering jobs.

agree with the most,but that last part is what made it bollocks.

i have like 5-7 recruiters at all times that want to add me, trouble is most of them have hardly any clues in IT fields thus you get a lot of crap or ****e offers,that are like contract work,work somewhere totally hundred miles away etc.


Its good if one has 5+ years experience in some field thus it allows them to contact companies directly they are interested.

but for someone starting out its more like cover letter/cv cramp that you basically will get tons of stupid offers.

its a good point if one is in Tech, IT it wont hurt to have linkedin but if different profession might not even bother.

whole point of linkedin was to get in touch with professionals but for last couple years it became same drain as say monster.ie where theres more agents that struggle to fill in positions and not so much actual employers doing hiring.

begbysback

pennydreadful wrote: »

I've just graduated from a masters and have noticed that almost all my peers have LinkedIn profiles. I haven't set one up as of yet as I am unsure of the advantages. I know some employers give the option to provide a link to your profile but is it really necessary to have one? I've always been pretty private about my online activity so I'm reluctant to set one up but obviously will bite the bullet if I have to!
Would love some opinions.

You dont have to have any online activity on linkedin - setup a profile, add contacts who you think can help you find a job, people in similar area, if you have a job then they may be able to help you find a better job. How? - If there is a position open and the company then lists those jobs on its profile, you wont see the listings unless you have followed all these companies - but if a contact likes or reshares the positions then you get to see what is available, pretty quickly too. In my experience, sending contact requests to people who I dont even know but share same skillset or similar - they will accept, no big deal - its not facebook in that you have to be friends - you then create a professional network.

Also as has been stated, recruiters use it to head hunt - so once you are on it and build up experience then recruiters will send job specs, some arent great in that you could be a doctor and receive a job spec for a vet - but it is what it is.

More that useful imo - and Im like yourself in that i dont like to leave much of an online footprint - but linkedin is different in that it is considered for professional use only - and you dont have to upload a pic if you dont want.

Etc

It's useful in several ways. Recruiters use it as a default these days, I find the weekly stats of who's viewed my profile interesting;

1. Recruiters
2. Conference Organisers
3. Sales People
4. People I used to know
5. Spurious

It's a good way to use a network to help you find services, information and indirectly, informal references on potential hires from people who worked with them. This is usually a mutual connection we know.

I've landed my most recent job from applying through Linkedin to a company, using the months free premium service I was able to see who my competition was.

And I've reconnected with people I haven't seen in years. The only annoyance for me is recruiters asking me if I'm interested in junior roles for which, if they actually read my profile would know I'm over qualified for.

My advice is set one up. The positives completely outweigh the negatives.

Spider Web

Neon_Lights wrote: »

yes.

Could you elaborate?

Zascar wrote: »

I always have to laugh at people who refuse to be on linkedin.

Ah you don't have to.

What's the hostility for? I used to have one. Didn't like people viewing it. You can't lock it down really - that defeats the purpose of it. I will set one up if I really need to though, but won't until then. No point in one just for the sake of it, in my opinion.

beauf

A lot of the people I know on it, use it for media campaigns. It's like tech and hr spam. Usually promoting a company or product. I had to turn most of it off.

I've seen people use it to rubbish people's skillset before meetings or working with them. So they will then be dismissive of them, or typecast them.

If you are looking for work or networking it might be useful. But there's a lot of noise on it.

ajjmk

I've gotten both my current job, and my previous job as a result of my LinkedIn profile. I'd definitely recommend setting one up!

Avatar MIA

If you're in IT yeah, I've heard companies head hunt, but not sure about most other industries.

hanky2016

Recently started a new job and through LinkedIn I got a message from HR to say they have the position available and would I be interested. 3 days later the job was mine!

Also had two other interviews that were setup through LinkedIn messages from the HR departments.

Would highly recommend setting a profile up.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

wordofwarning

...And Justice wrote: »

This annoys me, I'm in engineering and I've nothing to hide, but I'm reluctant to create a LinkedIn profile because I see fellow engineers and peers looking through other professionals profiles of people that they know or worked with and the Slagging is unreal!! "He's a ****in spoofer, fcuking lies...all of it" I hear this regularly, so what's the point?

Because when a recruiter is looking for someone on a new project or to hire someone for a growing firm. They will reach out to John, 'the spoofer' with an easily available Linkedin profile. How are they going to reach out to you? Do you have a website with your CV and skills?

You could set up a Linkedin with honest info to avoid the slagging. Regardless of a honest or BS profile. A half decent interviewer will quickly realise that John, 'the spoofer' is full of BS and you with a honest Linkedin profile will get through the process. I have seen recruiters with print outs of my Linkedin profile in front of them during interviews. So they do care about what is on them

One bad thing about Linkedin is the bias of recruiters. If you went to a top tier University in Ireland, you will get a ton of job offers on Linkedin. Even if you went to a second rate University, you will get significantly less.

PopTarts

What should people use as a profile picture? How professional should it be?

I see people with the most bizarre ones, where it looks like they are on holiday / a night out etc.

Would one where you're suited but at a wedding setting be ok? If it's just a head shot / no background.

...And Justice

wordofwarning wrote: »

Because when a recruiter is looking for someone on a new project or to hire someone for a growing firm. They will reach out to John, 'the spoofer' with an easily available Linkedin profile. How are they going to reach out to you? Do you have a website with your CV and skills?

You could set up a Linkedin with honest info to avoid the slagging. Regardless of a honest or BS profile. A half decent interviewer will quickly realise that John, 'the spoofer' is full of BS and you with a honest Linkedin profile will get through the process. I have seen recruiters with print outs of my Linkedin profile in front of them during interviews. So they do care about what is on them

One bad thing about Linkedin is the bias of recruiters. If you went to a top tier University in Ireland, you will get a ton of job offers on Linkedin. Even if you went to a second rate University, you will get significantly less.

I might take your advice on board

368100

...And Justice wrote: »

This annoys me, I'm in engineering and I've nothing to hide, but I'm reluctant to create a LinkedIn profile because I see fellow engineers and peers looking through other professionals profiles of people that they know or worked with and the Slagging is unreal!! "He's a ****in spoofer, fcuking lies...all of it" I hear this regularly, so what's the point?

As long as you don't lie or embellish your experience why would anyone call you a spoofer? In fairness they probably deserve a slagging if they put up made up experience on a public website where ex colleagues can see

Neon_Lights

368100 wrote: »

As long as you don't lie or embellish your experience why would anyone call you a spoofer? In fairness they probably deserve a slagging if they put up made up experience on a public website where ex colleagues can see

There was a consultant in our office doing HR type training who made a massive embellishment of her former position in a company. My dad luckily enough was a senior manager in the company at the time and effectively said she was no more than a supervisor when I asked about out of curiosity, however she spouts out that she was head of the department. Irelands too small a country you get found out quickly enough.

Movie Maestro

My opinion is that LinkedIn is essential nowadays for jobseekers in IT, whether you accept it or not, recruiters and employers will look you up on LinkedIn first before bothering to look at your CV. I'm in IT and find it an excellent tool to network with recruiters and potential employers

3DataModem

My industry is small, and fast moving, so it pays to have one.

jimba

I deleted mine after joining the Civil Service ��

jimba

I deleted mine after joining the Civil Service 👍

limnam

Work in IT never had one,never been asked if I have one and never needed one.

But i also can't really see any negative side to having one bar maybe clueless recruiters badgering you.

boardsuser1

I'm on it 2 years. Only 1 employer actually wanted to sign me up. I ended up removing loads of connections as they weren't in my field.

Don't get many views either.

I was badgered into signing up for it.

languagenerd

If the majority of people in your field have a LinkedIn account, then it's probably worth having. I hate it, but I have one because I don't want to be the only candidate they can't find on it when it comes to shortlisting people. Most of my colleagues/peers are on it & it'd probably raise qs if I wasn't.

I've never been offered a job through it or seen one I couldn't apply for without it though.

Lux23

If you're starting out in your career, it won't do you any harm.

endacl

Lux23 wrote: »

If you're starting out in your career, it won't do you any harm.

In fairness, neither will shaving your backside. But that's not really the point of it, I suppose...

In answer to your question, OP, I've never had one. It would be of no benefit though, because (a) I don't want to change job, and (b) if I had any more private work I'd have nowhere to put it.

That said, if I was starting out, and with the current obsession with online presence, I'd probably throw one together.

partyguinness

When I moved to the UK in 2010 a recruiter told me it is the first thing you should do.

I detest social media, I do not have Facebook or Twitter etc account but I do have a Linkedin.

Not sure about Ireland these days as it is a small country/community but yes do have one. Just the basics, sensible photograph and very very brief descriptions of jobs held and education.

Once you have set it up there really is nothing else for you to do with it expect maybe update it when appropriate and get a few connections going.

Other than that, I don't bother with it.

Don't waffle on with crap management type speak spouting inane rubbish that same people go on with. Get to the point- treat it as a short cv.

partyguinness

...And Justice wrote: »

This annoys me, I'm in engineering and I've nothing to hide, but I'm reluctant to create a LinkedIn profile because I see fellow engineers and peers looking through other professionals profiles of people that they know or worked with and the Slagging is unreal!! "He's a ****in spoofer, fcuking lies...all of it" I hear this regularly, so what's the point?

Don't spoof or lie. Simple.

Jimbob1977

I have a profile out of necessity, but I hate having to use it.

It is effectively 'Corporate Facebook' and very fake. I suppose we live in a fake world.

Recruitment Agents just stick up random links about 'hot topic' issues in society.

Then everyone comments about how insightful and amazing they are. Virtue signalling.

Zascar

You are sort of right about it being akin to a corporate facebook - however there's nothing fake about my profile - it's all accurate. I often share interesting things like new articles, infographics or talking points in things in my industry or topical stories online. It promotes interesting conversation with my piers and others that have similar interests. It gets quite a big audience and you can track its reach - its very interesting. I also get a lot of connection requests from people who might be a useful contact some day.

I don't get why people call things fake or rubbish simply because they don't understand it.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

beauf

Zascar wrote: »

You are sort of right about it being akin to a corporate facebook - however there's nothing fake about my profile - it's all accurate. I often share interesting things like new articles, infographics or talking points in things in my industry or topical stories online. It promotes interesting conversation with my piers and others that have similar interests. It gets quite a big audience and you can track its reach - its very interesting. I also get a lot of connection requests from people who might be a useful contact some day.

I don't get why people call things fake or rubbish simply because they don't understand it.

Consider that you might use it as designed. But lots of others don't and it ends up being like cats on facebook, or cold calling.

Jimbob1977

Zascar wrote: »

You are sort of right about it being akin to a corporate facebook - however there's nothing fake about my profile - it's all accurate. I often share interesting things like new articles, infographics or talking points in things in my industry or topical stories online. It promotes interesting conversation with my piers and others that have similar interests. It gets quite a big audience and you can track its reach - its very interesting. I also get a lot of connection requests from people who might be a useful contact some day.

I don't get why people call things fake or rubbish simply because they don't understand it.

Sorry, I should clarify my use of the word 'fake'.

I didn't mean that the content of people's CVs or profiles were fake.

I was referring to the faux sentiment and pretentiousness of many articles.

realdanbreen

It's a great place to meet women!

partyguinness

OP,

I am now in a position where I recruit and when I get a cv I do check on Linkedin to see their ugly mug before an interview.

Now, I certainly wouldn't recruit on the back of a Linkedin profile but it is useful to check just as a back up.

Set one up. Nice and simple no fancy ****, waffle or lies and just leave it at that. It is nothing to get worked up over

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Andalucia

i think Linkedin is a load of rubbish, keeps recruiters busy I suppose poring over profiles and contacting you with phantom jobs

SHOVELLER

Any Linkedin users here have the experience of someone disconnecting from you? Not that it matters but think Linkedin could send you a message saying X has disconnected.
And to answer the OP's question yes!

beauf

I've disconnected loads of people.

...be interesting how GDPR effects it.

OMM 0000

I get a lot of job offers via my LinkedIn profile. Both from employers and recruiters.

Unless you're extremely cautious about your privacy, you have nothing to lose by creating a LinkedIn profile.

_Kaiser_

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I find these days its mainly used by people trying to sell stuff to me because I'm in a senior/decision-making role. So much so that I'm thinking of adding a "no sales people/pitches" line to the profile.

Unfortunately, having the stupid thing is pretty much unavoidable as it's "expected" if you're looking for a job.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.