Learning to walk before I run

Suffolk_lass

Zola. said:

I can vouch for Linkedin being a useful app for getting a new job. I updated some profile items and it massively helped me land a new job with a big pay increase, after feeling a little institutionalised from a previous job. It's the first place people go to to look you up. It's your digital CV basically, but with a network of people who can help you or connect you. Full of recruiters hungry for commission. 

There is a lot of sickening corporate boot lickers on there, but it definitely can be a useful tool! 

Yep. And you get bombarded with email, but it can be useful

Karmacat

People do make contact with new people as well as old - I joined in 2010, though not for the usual reasons.  I knew my BiL who'd just died had an LI profile, and I wanted to see if it was anything that should be downloaded on my sister's behalf. 

I didn't take my stuff down, though, after I'd done the thing for my sister, and the uses people put LI to were interesting in themselves.  Some people contacted me because of where I lived, and were obviously reaching out to anyone in my county.  Some were actual clients of mine, even after I retired.  And there was one guy who wanted me to come out of retirement to run another course in the therapeutic work I do - so I'd say, there's a fair few unwanteds on there, but there's also really useful things you can do.  

As to how to get into it: create a profile that's enough to let you have a look round, see who you know already through the search function, see what people put on their biogs, look at groups, just have a go, really.

LadyGnome

I used LI a lot both for job hunting and keeping in touch with former colleagues.  It's heavily used by financial services and law which are my areas.  Quite a few roles I have looked do have a bit on the application to put a link to your LI profile.  I even had a senior manager search my profile whilst I was presenting to him on a Zoom call.
I do get contacted for roles every so often.  You can also follow recruitment firms so you get notified when they post new jobs.

South_coast

I'm going to be the dissenting voice here that says that I hate it 🤣! BF nagged me into setting up a profile when I was made redundant, which I promptly deleted as soon as I got a new role. However, a) keeping in touch with people/social networks: and b) selling myself in any way are just not my bag, so I don't think it was ever going to be the thing for me! 

Karmacat

South_coast said:

I'm going to be the dissenting voice here that says that I hate it 🤣! BF nagged me into setting up a profile when I was made redundant, which I promptly deleted as soon as I got a new role. However, a) keeping in touch with people/social networks: and b) selling myself in any way are just not my bag, so I don't think it was ever going to be the thing for me! 

You're not dissenting to me  I'd never have joined if not for my BiL, and I was winding down my career in any case, not winding it up, so yes, it was never going to be the thing for me.  I can see how it *could* be the thing for people to spread their wings a bit, though.

edinburgher

Had forgotten how carp the Spanish bank can be! Main current account was meant to switch to them today, instead they've got in touch to say it will be completed by the 22nd (8 days time). Considering a) the other switch completed after about an hour this morning and b) it's meant to be 7 days max to switch, I am underwhelmed. On the plus side, I've ordered a yuge pizza for us to share for dinner and I'll get a glass of champagne with it

savingholmes

They paid my switching bonus a month earlier than they said they would so not all bad... 

I think LI can be very worthwhile. You can get jobs through it and you can turn emails off - which still allowing direct messaging.

edinburgher

@savingholmes - fingers crossed.

N@tionwide paid my £125 switching bonus after a few short days. I also had a random £7.17 transferred from N@twest to N@tionwide ("bonus" that matured the day before my account closed), about £6 from H@lifax (savings interest) and 50p from TCB

The £125 is for me (although we'll likely get less pocket money next month to reflect this) and I've made payments of £4.39 to OP/ISA/CC - a bit random but hey ho.

I am also able to refer Mrs E for the Chip savings app now as I appear to be up and running - only £10 but appreciated all the same.

edinburgher

I have done my regular payments for next Monday - £5 paid to OP/CC/ISA

Exhausted but optimistic, starting the weekend in a better frame of mind than I've experienced for a few weeks. Used some of my switching money to buy new running shoes, my old ones are worn almost smooth!

savingholmes

New running shoes really make it easier I think to exercise. The cushioning on my new ones still delights me.