LinkedIn. Do you use it?
 

So, I'm on it and looking to get work via the site. Those of you on it, have you found it useful, do you use the tools, etc.,. What are your thoughts?

I don't know if there's just a shortage of media planners in the world, but I am constantly getting HR people and recruiters reaching out to me about job opportunities. I love it for that reason alone! About 2 weeks ago, I had 3 reach out in the span of about 2 weeks.

When I was in the job hunt, I had not used it at that time, but when I begin the hunt again in a few months, I will use it. I have already started looking at a few agencies in Denver--I've been looking through people who work at these agencies to see if we have any friends in common to see if I can make a connection some how. There's also a decent job search function there.

I use it all the time (logged in right now, as a matter of fact).

When I was job hunting, I used my connections to find open opportunities. Now, I use it to keep up on industry news/events and to fine-tune job descriptions for my team and get tips for keeping my resume fresh.

I have an account. I log in maybe a few times a year to accept requests. I don't use it to communicate.

I use to it make contacts, reach out to recruiters, apply for jobs, the group discussions, etc. It's useful for networking and connecting others, or to see if someone I know may know someone I want to be put in touch with.

I almost forgot--I use it to see where co-workers went to school and if they are Greek ;)

I was curious what membership level do you have? I'm still on the free/basic. Do you think it matters? I'm thinking if I can get a job for free, that's great. But if the paid memberships are worth it, then why not.

I use the free version and it works for me.

Most of the people in my network who have the paid version use it for recruiting or sales leads.

I completely agree with this. I work for a recruiting agency and even in my office, only a few people have the paid version. There are some added benefits, but it isn't worth the money in my opinion.

I have it and seldom use it myself, but, my employeer has recently set up all of our recruiters nationwide with paid accounts and they're really starting to push them to utilize it as a recruitment tool. I would guess this is becoming more common with larger companies, at least, who have the money for it. So if you're job hunting I'd guess it's pretty useful right now.

I have it but my main reason for having a profile is for recruiters to be able to find me.

I update once every few months, but accept requests frequently.

I log in once every few weeks. I also get contacted by recruiters via LinkdIn. I don't utilize it much though.

I only use it when I'm feeling nosy and want to spy on people.

It may depend on the field in which you work. I receive alot of requests, and I use it to learn more about people with whom I engaging on a transaction.

However, as a recruiting tool (in either direction) I sometimes think it operates just as a big ole electronic Rolodex to the same effect where only a handful of the "business cards" are ever terribly useful and some you wonder, "Who?" or "Why?"

I have a friend who has the proverbial zillion links, but it hasn't helped alot in her job search as a lawyer. What has helped her are the personal contacts she made while in practice.

I obtain more useful (to me) information on my field from other tailored sites.

Ditto.

I keep mine updated, but other than accepting requests, it doesn't see any activity.

Thanks guys for your responses. :)

For a job search I would say it's a MUST. For other stuff I don't know that it's all that valuable. But I try to keep it current and make the occasional post or comment just so that people remember me when they think of using a travel agent. I also have sent out promotional emails to my entire list a couple times. No sales yet as a result, but my goal is to remind people I'm there.

One time LinkedIn told me that knight_shadow had looked at my profile. We have no common connections.

I do use it - I'm trying to put a contractor pool together for a project I'm working on and I've been poking about people's profiles a little bit. I need to update mine, though, it's a little out of date.

One time, LinkedIn told me that agzg was a person that I may know. We have no common connections.

#Illuminati

I'm glad you guys reminded me to update my profile.

The only thing I can think is that we have some kind of cookie in our browser that says "these nerds like SPSS and should therefore totes be besties."

Though I'm in music/academia and that's not quite LinkedIn's niche, I've found it useful so far--someone found my website through it and, ultimately, that led to new project opportunity for me. I don't think this is the norm though.

I've been on LinkedIn for years (free account). I interviewed with my current company 3 years ago for a job that was beneath my skillset, but it provided an opportunity to get my foot in the door. That job went to someone else, but I connected with my interviewer via LinkedIn and asked her to keep me in mind for similar opportunities. A year later she contacted me about a new position they were creating--my current job, which is truly my dream job. I doubt my boss would've taken the time to track me down without the LinkedIn connection, so I'm definitely a believer!

LOLz

I am a huge user of LinkedIn. I have used to secure jobs. Also, I keep my network up to date.
It is important to realize to not only keep contacts but also join groups. You can learn so much from industry groups.

Also, remember networking is about giving. You give more than you take. Like karma, it comes around.

I have a free account that I check from time to time. Hoping to utilize it more, but haven't really had much luck.

I use LinkedIn (free account) and it's a great way to network. It's how I got my current job! A former co-worker connected with me on LinkedIn a few years ago. We would go out to lunch or dinner when he was in town and I asked "Next time there's a job opening in LA, consider me". A few months later, I was hired WITHOUT HAVING TO INTERVIEW!

The job I currently have? The recruiter found me on LinkedIn. I was unhappy where I was, but was too busy and too stressed to think about another job search. But then about 2 years ago, some guy reached out to me with a position description and asked if we could chat. And I'm super happy I did.

Just came back from a job interview yesterday where in the hiring manager's office I could see my profile was up. He didn't even hide that he was using it, he would pull it up and ask me about some things that weren't on my resume.

What I like about it is that you can include more descriptions than your resume. My resume is tailored to get through automatic searches that robots and not people do (so I utilize power verbs even when a shorter one would be fine). LinkedIn is nice because you can apply for the job and you don't have to attach anything but a cover letter because they just get your profile sent to them and it isn't weird then to have more than a page's worth of resume because it's not a print out.

I've gotten approached about a couple interesting jobs through LinkedIn. Unfortunately, the suburban sprawl that is Southern California means just because it's in the metro doesn't mean it's reachable without moving. Or teleportation.

I use it regularly. I know clients have searched for me on it, so I put together a brief but detailed profile. I've used it to connect with other attorneys in my area (and some of the groups have some really good info on recent legal developments).

The only people I know who use Premium are job-seekers.

I'm curious if any of you do not have a photo with your profile.

My profile has my photo. Helps with "putting a name with a face" -- most of the folks in my industry have included theirs. The "behind the scenes" type people in my network generally exclude them.

I use it daily. I have a photo. There are a lot of really useful IT security groups out there so I use it for keeping up with the latest major hacking attempts, new technologies, etc. Alpha Gam has some great groups too, including an Alpha Gams in Information Technology group. I've also linked in with women who were looking for alumnae chapters or advisor positions in Alpha Gam. I think it is a fantastic resource. I won't pay though.

Linked In is one of the most powerful networking tools in the business world. It's a virtual resume and there are tons of head hunters out there that work from home and spend most of their day sourcing people online to fill in jobs. This is especially the case in Executive job positions. In the last 6 months alone I've had 3 out of state head hunters find me and try to fill me into jobs with relocation assistance, bonus and an attractive total compensation package. I highly recommend that you create an account and get your name out there.

I have a photo on my profile. I think most of my connections do as well.

I put my photo back up and added some more stuff. I found a crapload of more people to connect with who can vouch for my skills. I really hope this helps me get work.

I use it but mostly as another way to search for jobs. My only "connections" are my old coworkers and some friends who aren't even remotely in the same field. I've got a friend who's fanatical about it and is always trying to "connect" me to people HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW which I think is stupid. It turns up different jobs than other search engines, though, which is nice. No one's reached out to me. No one calls me about my applications (other than scammy insurance companies). My life has no meaning.

LMAO.

lol