Do you use LinkedIn? Why not?

[Zeze]

I don't. I had a hiring manager who asked me why not, I just told him I'm paranoid about privacy. It was no big deal.

I'm talking about you are friends (linked) to everyone there (coworkers, bosses, friends, family)

 

[nakedfrog]

I have an account, but haven't really used it since last time I was looking for a new gig. I imagine that will be the next time I use it, too.

 

[snoopy7548]

I like your poll, but shouldn't "Yon" be "Yo?"

I have an account, but I haven't updated my profile in a few years.

 

[pauldun170]

Great...another reminder I need to update my info. Been procrastinating for 8 years now

 

[Red Storm]

Nope, never have probably never will.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Yes. Currently in the market for a new gig, which may play a factor ... but I do keep mine updated fairly regularly.

 

[SKORPI0]

I've have a account for years, but decided not to put anything in it for now.

 

[deadlyapp]

I have one and keep it regularly updated. Have had recruiters contact me from it a few times and have had interviews, however not really looking hard.

 

[herm0016]

yes, updated, always looking for the right price.

pole options are unclear.

 

[zinfamous]

I've had an account since ~2005 or soemthing, but I've flagged all of their emails as spam

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

It's one of those stupid things where people say "Oh yeah, you have to have it in todays job market"... and everyone makes one but never uses it. Same holds for me - BUT, I will say that my latest job was actually thanks to LinkedIn. I keep it updated with simply my latest employer + job title (no real description)... and a recruiter contacted me and got me to switch over to a competitor... So it's definitely not a bad idea, but I'm not going to utilize it as a social media platform, especially if I'm not looking to switch jobs.

 

[pete6032]

Yep, it's helped me network with new people and get jobs. I've gotten interview advice from former employees who are connections of connections. In fact I'm talking to a "2nd" connection this weekend about a job opening which that person once held. That conversation will be invaluable.

 

[IronWing]

If I was job hunting I would consider it but I'm not. The folks who've sent me invites are either job seekers (which is fine) or people I know to be jerks in real life.

 

[Thebobo]

No because I am not looking for a job I'm trying to get out of this one!

 

[lxskllr]

Nope. I don't need a spyware service, and I can visit in person any place I'd consider working for, and they probably already know me.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

It's one of those stupid things where people say "Oh yeah, you have to have it in todays job market"... and everyone makes one but never uses it. Same holds for me - BUT, I will say that my latest job was actually thanks to LinkedIn. I keep it updated with simply my latest employer + job title (no real description)... and a recruiter contacted me and got me to switch over to a competitor... So it's definitely not a bad idea, but I'm not going to utilize it as a social media platform, especially if I'm not looking to switch jobs.

It's really mainly for people who are in the market for a new job or opportunities. My company is in the recruiting industry and I've been here for almost 4 years now. I've seen them move their leads from mainly CareerBuilder/Monster to now almost 95% LinkedIn.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

It's really mainly for people who are in the market for a new job or opportunities. My company is in the recruiting industry and I've been here for almost 4 years now. I've seen them move their leads from mainly CareerBuilder/Monster to now almost 95% LinkedIn.

Right, pretty much what I'm saying... I would never go on their for "social media" which what the site is marketed and categorized as. If I need a job, I'll be monitoring it just like I would for Monster, Indeed, etc.. etc... I live by the philosophy of if you don't have a job your full-time job is getting a job.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I have an account, but that's about it. Don't really log on to it or anything.

 

[ultimatebob]

I have one. It's a good way to keep in touch with former coworkers for references and whatnot.

 

[Skunk-Works]

I just use Indeed.

 

[AdamK47]

I used it today. A former coworker I helped grow into her profession asked if I could be used as a reference through LinkedIn messaging.

 

[Kaido]

No. Many years ago, they sent out an email "on my behalf" and I got about 80 puzzled email responses to something I didn't send. Never again!

But, I also recognize that I am fortunate enough to be in a line of work where I don't need that type of networking to get employment, so that plays a factor too.

 

[Rumpltzer]

I use LinkedIn. My profile is up-to-date, and I open the app a few times a week (at least). I subscribe to some topics and groups and companies that interest me, and they feed me info relevant to my interests.

I don't Facebook or any other social media. I'm pretty much unfindable except through LinkedIn. I have not shared my address book with LinkedIn despite their many requests for me to do so. So none of my friends have been spammed to join up.

I'm a EE with a PhD, and I went to good schools. I've been out of school for 14 years, I work in development, and I'm fairly well-known in a small sub-section of an industry (through papers, conferences, government reviews, etc.). I've advanced rapidly through the technical ranks at my employer. I get shit done, and I'm very good at making things work. I'm a prize to the development folks, and my success has been based purely off of my technical capabilities. I have done well in making myself "indispensable" at my company (in that they'll lose years of knowledge when I leave).

Outside of the technical realm, my company is manager-heavy, and management is generally filled with weak, selfish, incapable, and insecure folks; it's a complete Dilbert universe. And these are the people who "manage" me, but they're not involved in my work assignments, and they're not involved in anything that I do for the company other than signing my time card and doling out my annual "performance" review. I've been through three managers in my 13 years with the company, and my managers have had four of their own managers in those same number of years. My "manager" has been junior to me for at least six years.

A couple of years ago, these asshats started trying to do some stupid, unethical shit and trying to force me to work for other stupid, unethical people who had done some pretty bad stuff. I refused (for good reason). It turned into a months-long shit storm with some idiot from HR and these asshats threatening to fire me dozens of times over; and I immediately invited them to go for it. They ultimately backed down; showing their hand (that I AM indispensable). And that's where LinkedIn comes into play.

Half my interviews (and offers) have been outside of my own efforts; they're from people finding me on LinkedIn based on my background and skill set. I fit a need for those looking for a "mid-career" or senior development guy who does what I do. There's also an option somewhere in there where you can turn on the "I'm looking for a job" and recruiters will know that you're on the hunt while your friends and whoever won't be able to see it (recruiters from your own company might be able to see it).