LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

[youvalss]

I've had my LinkedIn account for a bit, but never actually used it to find a job. But these days, it's getting harder and harder to find a job here, so I need every little help I can get.

How does LinkedIn actually work? So, I managed to connect with some people I know and added them to my connections. They know (well...don't actually know, but connected to) some more people...and so on and on. How does it benefit me?

Also, I have applied for a position at a company I would love to work for. Then I found their HR Manager on LinkedIn (and I share a connection with her), wrote her a message (about how impressed I was with this company and that I have applied for that position). So she added me to her connections (no message, though)...now what?

In other words...how do I go from the virtual world of LinkedIn - to the real world of a job interview? Any tips are welcome!

[Jr.]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I wish I knew. My experience of LinkedIn is that it's becoming more like Facebook. I get completely random connection requests every week. I'm sure there is a way to use it to benefit you professionally, but I haven't figured it out yet.

[Majingir]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I don't care for it much either, but unfortunately seems like it is something which is needed nowadays. You need connections/networking to get jobs, and a profile on Linkedin helps that, as well as makes you stand out since it's basically an online resume.

I barely got connections on my own personal account, I really don't care about using Linkedin at all. If you don't have one, then it makes companies wonder why you don't have a bigger digital footprint, and if you have one but aren't active(or just don't have many connections), it also seems to hurt too.

[nemesis04]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

The key is to have a strong profile and make sure you put a picture in of yourself, not some random stupid thing or left blank. The stronger your profile the more it will come up in searches. Recruiters use it a lot, I get direct messages quite often from recruiters. If you use it as a professional tool and not a Facebook extension it can be quite useful.

[youvalss]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I don't have Facebook or Twitter or any of those...as I am not part of this world (by choice). LinkedIn is completely for professional reasons, otherwise I have no desire to connect with strangers.

I'm just trying to use anything I can in order to find a job. It looks like the days of seeing an online ad for a job, applying and being hired - are over, unfortunately. 5-7 years ago I didn't have a problem finding a job, but now it seems much harder.

[nemesis04]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I don't have Facebook or Twitter or any of those...as I am not part of this world (by choice). LinkedIn is completely for professional reasons, otherwise I have no desire to connect with strangers.

I'm just trying to use anything I can in order to find a job. It looks like the days of seeing an online ad for a job, applying and being hired - are over, unfortunately. 5-7 years ago I didn't have a problem finding a job, but now it seems much harder.

Start working the system, use the search and start looking for recruiters to connect with. Send them a direct message and introduce yourself.

[youvalss]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I just realized you can see when your connections are online, and message them when they're on. Hopefully it doesn't seem like I'm trying too hard.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I don't see any reason to use it unless you are actively job searching, or if you are fine with recruiters contacting you. If you are job searching there is no reason not to go ahead and update it.

[youvalss]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

Yeah, I am looking for a job.

Anyway, does anyone know if there is a way to check if someone has declined your connection request? Not sure if it means anything, but with some requests I see a "Pending" status, while others don't show anything. so that may be a clue...

[mjavon]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I don't use LinkedIn a ton as I'm not looking for a job, nor am I a recruiter.

I basically use it as a digital resume. If I accomplish something noteworthy (promotion, finished an MOOC, learned a new skill, etc.) I add it to my page. That pays off later on when I have to put together a new *actual* resume because I just reference my LinkedIn page while I make it.

I just did this a few weeks ago when I was applying for my masters; I hadn't updated my *actual* resume since I interned for my current company before I interned for my current company (again) before I started working at my current job full-time 3 years ago.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I never saw the purpose of it until the last year or so. I've had a LinkedIn profile since college but actually got recruited over it toward the end of 2016. Talked with a recruiter, got an interview and a new job within a week. Since then I get contacted by recruiters a few times a month.

Definitely build out your connections. Connect with anybody you can, classmates, family members, coworkers, OS members, etc. List out your skills, try to get people to endorse them. Endorse other people's skills so they return the favor. Make sure you hit the keywords in your field in your profile.

You can also get people to leave references for you on your profile, though I haven't done that. I have written a reference for one of my former managers, though.

[slickdtc]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I’ve kept mine relatively up to date since I created one about 4 years ago, but using it heavily now since I’m a “free agent.” I’ve gotten recruited before (some more legit then others) and even set up a call, but didn’t pursue the opportunity further.

I’ve found they really bolstered their job listings, or maybe I’m paying more attention to that section. They’ve also introduced a dedicated LinkedIn Jobs app. I know Indeed and Ziprecruiter have gotten huge over the last few years, so I’m guessing LinkedIn wanted a piece of that pie.

I did apply to a job today that allowed me to apply via my LinkedIn profile for the basics. Still had to fill in the specifics, but that was convenient.

At worst, it’s an additional avenue to find a new opportunity. Use common sense to fill yours out. Know the game (keywords). The more you interact on it (professionally, of course ... this isn’t Facebook meme ****posting), the more love you’ll get back. It’s not too complicated.

[yankeesgiants]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

The thing with LinkedIn is that the more connections you make, the more features open up to you & the more searches you will appear in. I got my current job because of it. I made a profile when my position was eliminated, I made 30 connections that day clicking people I knew & recruiters were calling me within a day for interviews.

[youvalss]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

I still don't see much of what LinkedIn can do for me (well, it hasn't done anything so far), but I keep getting these notices saying that having 30 connections is an important step. So, I decided to turn it into a game, and just started connecting with every potential connection (through my current network). Within an hour I got to 80 connections, and it keeps growing and growing...


I really don't see the goal here, but I find it to be pretty fun and relaxing...like Tetris..I just enjoy to see the number growing. Hopefully I can fund a script to do this for me, and just check the numbers every now and then.

[Majingir]

Re: LinkedIn - How Does It Work?

Is 30 really an important number? Are there numbers beyond 30 which further help, or is it just simply once you reach 30, that's all that matters.