Linkedin? HELP!

[Deleted User]

So I am in the last year of University, currently a volunteer, mum of 4 and have been through several jobs in the last 4 years while my children have been small (jobs that fit around childcare etc) - A careers advisor suggested I joined LinkedIn to help me gain a position so I joined - I have around 10 connections but honestly don't understand what I am doing

-Is it helpful in the slightest?
-How can I get more out of it?
-Have you had any success on linkedin - If so what?

Nicki

Honestly, possibly not as useful at this point in your career but if you start now and keep building your network and profile it may pay dividends in the future.

I got my last job by being approached via LinkedIn by HR from the company in question. My profile showed I had the right qualifications and experience for a fairly specialised job. If you are entry level however you probably wouldn't get approached in that way just yet. But connections in your chosen area will never be wasted.

JReacher1

LinkedIn is good if you're in employment and are open to be headhunted by recruitment consulatants as they use it to find likely candidates for vacancies.

it is basically a way of putting your cv online

xapprenticex

LinkedIn wont help you much at the moment, when you do eventually build a name for yourself and you have connections who can actually do something then you will be able to get considered for jobs just by asking.

DoubleDoors

Just be aware that people can write anything on LinkedIn. I've seen a couple of former colleagues on there and honestly if their photo wasn't there I wouldn't have recognised them by the description they've given of themselves and their (supposed) skills and experience!

Tigsteroonie

DoubleDoors wrote: »

Just be aware that people can write anything on LinkedIn. I've seen a couple of former colleagues on there and honestly if their photo wasn't there I wouldn't have recognised them by the description they've given of themselves and their (supposed) skills and experience!

I'd agree with this. I work in a team responsible for allocating roles and managing job descriptions to people in our organisation; and the titles that many of our employees give on LinkedIn bear no resemblance to their official role!

Masomnia

I can't say I find it massively useful, certainly never found a job through it, though I have been approached a few times.

It can have its though. I went to a job interview earlier this year, didn't get it, but I got on very well with the MD and the woman who would have been my line manager, so when I was turned down I suggested we connect on linkedin because I liked the company and what they were about, we could work work together in future etc etc. A few months down the line I got a call from them asking me if I was interested in a job. I may well have got that call without linkedin, but it is good for those kind of situations, where you wouldn't add someone on facebook, but you would be interested in keeping in touch professionally.

jobbingmusician

I've never found it any use, and they used to spam me mercilessly (I think the spam situation may have now improved.) Anyway, I have lost my login and CBA to sort it out and start getting spammed again.

I applied for a job recently, and the interview administrator sent me links to the linkedin profiles of the people interviewing me. At the interview I said that I didn't use linkedin and so had not researched their profiles this way, but I had looked them up on Google.

I got the job.

steampowered

When you apply for a job employers will often google your name to see what comes up. If your employer finds a professionally written linkedin profile which is consistent with your CV, that is a plus.

I regularly get approached by recruitment people and headhunters on linkedin, although I guess that only happens to people with a bit more experience.

Larger employers often advertise things like graduate schemes on linkedin - it is worth following prospective employers and seeing what they post.

Linkedin also has a lot of great articles on topics such as searching for a job. Try reading some of Liz Ryan's articles.

Linkedin is also very useful for researching companies and people before you attend job interviews. Use it to do your homework.

Don't expect miracles but it is worth at least making a profile.

marlot

My team and I regularly publish on LinkedIn. Often quite insightful items regarding problems we're currently facing, how we solved them and what we've learned in the process.

Someone coming for interview would have a distinct advantage if they've read our articles and comes ready to show how they could add value.

indianabones

I am at my current role because of LinkedIn. The company only advertised on their website and on LinkedIn. Went in for interview and accepted the offer.

Unfortunately it's not working out so I'm looking to move.

I always get rubbish positions in my inbox and most of the jobs are not related to what I do. For example I may have managed projects technically. But I get emails about managerial roles (people), completely different in theory. Some recruiters give the rest a bad name.