How to use LinkedIn?
Discussion
My career focused friends have often told me I need use LinkedIn but I have always avoided it due to privacy concerns. However, I’m looking to change jobs and a recruiter pulled me up on the fact they couldn’t find me on LinkedIn.
Apparently, it raises suspicion if a candidate doesn’t have a profile, and it gives the impression that you aren’t serious about your career or networking, especially for the level/seniority of the role I am in and am applying for.
Whilst I’m confident I can put a good profile together just as I can a CV, I’m not actually sure how I should be using LinkedIn to my advantage.
For example, should I add current colleagues? Will this not set off alarm bells given I’ve never had a profile and now suddenly I'm on there with all the bells and whistles?
Is it OK to ask current customers who I have an excellent relationship with to recommend/endorse me, even if it screams “help me leave this place”? And does it look suspicious if I get a number of recommendations/endorsements within a short period of time (even if they are from a varity of organisations across multiple industries)?
If someone I don’t know wants to connect then should I accept, e.g. a recruiter? And finally, if I use the “seeking opportunities” marker is it only recruiters that can see this or is it viewable by everyone?
Essentially, I’m just looking for some advice on LinkedIn etiquette.
Apparently, it raises suspicion if a candidate doesn’t have a profile, and it gives the impression that you aren’t serious about your career or networking, especially for the level/seniority of the role I am in and am applying for.
Whilst I’m confident I can put a good profile together just as I can a CV, I’m not actually sure how I should be using LinkedIn to my advantage.
For example, should I add current colleagues? Will this not set off alarm bells given I’ve never had a profile and now suddenly I'm on there with all the bells and whistles?
Is it OK to ask current customers who I have an excellent relationship with to recommend/endorse me, even if it screams “help me leave this place”? And does it look suspicious if I get a number of recommendations/endorsements within a short period of time (even if they are from a varity of organisations across multiple industries)?
If someone I don’t know wants to connect then should I accept, e.g. a recruiter? And finally, if I use the “seeking opportunities” marker is it only recruiters that can see this or is it viewable by everyone?
Essentially, I’m just looking for some advice on LinkedIn etiquette.
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