Viadeo: Nipping at LinkedIn's heels | Hacker News Reader

Viadeo: Nipping at LinkedIn's heels

economist.com

4 pointse15ctr0n7 comments

Honest question for the engineers/programmers in here that are also on LinkedIn:

Have you gotten any value from LinkedIn?

I realized a few weeks ago that 1) I have a LinkedIn account, 2) I make semi-regular updates to my LinkedIn account, 3) to my knowledge, I have received exactly zero value from having a LinkedIn account. It feels like this weird social network where they've convinced everyone that they _have_ to have an account/profile, but nobody really knows why.

I guess I'm curious if other people have had better/different experiences.

The only value I have gotten out of my profile is that it grants me the ability to see other people's profiles. Though, perhaps the fact that others can see info about me is some value to me also.

The "others can see info about me" is the value that I've landed on in my head. I don't recall ever getting a valuable message through the LinkedIn platform, but I will concede that there's possibly passive value in having an account as the absence of one could be a red flag for future potential employers.

That said, I'm also unconvinced that I want/need to be passively recruited at this point in my career.

I have. I found my current position after a recruiter contacted me on LinkedIn.

That depends on the definition of value. If that definition is did you have any event in the past where you came out better because of your LinkedIn; I am inclined to say no, or maybe the classic answer I got a job and they probably checked my profile.

However, I recently had to turn off the "interested in career opportunities" because the huge amount of recruiters offering jobs. I imagine if I come to be without work, or want to switch jobs, all it takes is turn that option back on. Within a week I will probably have a job.

In addition, I have people in my network who I do not speak to frequently (other companies, previous shared European projects, etc). I would probably forget their name, or not be able to attach a name without seeing the face for some of them. I can use LinkedIn as a quick reminder on who I need to contact as it shows a face, their line of work, and experience usually.

So, back to your question on value. Not directly, but I have means to get in contact with persons who otherwise who be one step further away. It might help.

Alternative answer: you can turn this around and say it only helps because everybody thinks it helps. Therefor is on LinkedIn and thus checks it and can be connected. So I could also answer with no, but what would replace it then?

It's for fantasizing about a career-change.

Well, it's a single place where recruiters can go to find all the relevant information about me, I direct them there from my website etc. I also participate in a few relevant industry groups which has garnered some attention to my work.

I suppose because everything I do on linkedin is connected in the way that social networks connect everything together it has helped raise my web profile higher than just having my website would.

It also means I can use my website as a sales pitch, funnelling interested parties off to LinkedIn if they require more details about my professional history.

I have also had several interviews with companies and a job offer because of LinkedIn, although none of the opportunities were actually quite right for me.

So same answer as bastijn really, I think it offers some benefit, because its there and everyone seems to be on it.

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