Thread: Linked in.

What is it, and should I be on it?

I have found it to be a giant waste of time but others might disagree.

I thought LinkedIn was almost as ubiquitous as Facebook, but maybe not in Europe. The short answer is that it's become THE social media for professionals. You should definitely be on it if you plan on being employed in the 21st century. Employers use it to recruit, most bigger companies will allow you to apply using your LinkedIn profile. I'm surprised you aren't familiar with it.

Originally Posted by Buff

I thought LinkedIn was almost as ubiquitous as Facebook, but maybe not in Europe. The short answer is that it's become THE social media for professionals. You should definitely be on it if you plan on being employed in the 21st century. Employers use it to recruit, most bigger companies will allow you to apply using your LinkedIn profile. I'm surprised you aren't familiar with it.

I mean, I have one, but I have never actively used it to get a job nor I have I ever really had trouble getting work. Maybe it depends on what industry you are in.

I have heard of it, but never used it, or really spoke to anyone who uses it.

So I can go on there and employers can find me?

Is that the point in it... To find work?

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

I mean, I have one, but I have never actively used it to get a job nor I have I ever really had trouble getting work. Maybe it depends on what industry you are in.

I think it's entirely possible to make it without LinkedIn, especially in certain industries, but 396 million users would indicate that it's a pretty powerful platform.

Originally Posted by Buff

I think it's entirely possible to make it without LinkedIn, especially in certain industries, but 396 million users would indicate that it's a pretty powerful platform.

I wonder how many of those users are super active on it though. Like, I know when I was in college they basically told us all to get one so we did, but I'm not really sure how many people actively use it.

Like, I update it when I change jobs and such, but that's about it.

Originally Posted by Valar Morghulis

I have heard of it, but never used it, or really spoke to anyone who uses it.

So I can go on there and employers can find me?

Is that the point in it... To find work?

Correct, to connect employers with employees, and network. But it's also grown to where you can read a lot of original content there as well. For instance, you can subscribe to a different interests like leadership, or technology, or whatever, and then you will get articles from leaders in that space. You can also post your own stuff - so a lot of small business owners use it to market their businesses or services, etc.

I think you're definitely doing yourself a disservice by not having a LinkedIn profile these days. I don't think you would even get consideration for a job without one in my industry.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

I wonder how many of those users are super active on it though. Like, I know when I was in college they basically told us all to get one so we did, but I'm not really sure how many people actively use it.

Like, I update it when I change jobs and such, but that's about it.

I'm really not trying to be a condescending know-it-all... But I think you're being a little naive about it. I've been on the hiring end of things and it's absolutely critical to the evaluation process. If you don't have a profile, you will almost always lose out to the person with a good profile, personal connections not withstanding.

Ok, one linked in profile coming up.

I guess it is not the place to mention dead hookers, unless I want to move into the motel industry

I dont have one, but I probably get one or two requests a day from clients wishing to use me as a reference or an acquaintance or some sort of thing. It is one of the main reasons why I do not have one. Too many people and requests.

Originally Posted by underrated29

I dont have one, but I probably get one or two requests a day from clients wishing to use me as a reference or an acquaintance or some sort of thing. It is one of the main reasons why I do not have one. Too many people and requests.

Are you some kind of godfather in your industry

Originally Posted by Buff

You can also post your own stuff - so a f business owners use it to market their businesses or services, etc.

Wait a minute..... Would you care to elaborate this portion please.

Originally Posted by Valar Morghulis

Are you some kind of godfather in your industry

The dead hookers society is always looking for new members. Youd fit right in.

Originally Posted by underrated29

Wait a minute..... Would you care to elaborate this portion please.

For instance, my cousin is a mortgage broker, and she is always posting articles about when is the right time to refinance, learning how to invest in properties for income, etc. So she is taking a more indirect approach and establishing her credibility as an information provider, which helps he build her brand.

Or you can be more direct and target your marketing to certain audiences. So you could say, I want to send this PM to everyone with the title "sales manager" in the Denver Metro area.