If so, how do you like it?

Is it a good way to network?

Is paying for Premium worth it?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Edmond,

It’s a GREAT way to network.

My current job came from LinkedIn ... out of nowhere. I was contacted by a recruiter for a role that I absolutely couldn’t say no to. Life changing.

I still get messages pretty often on there from recruiters and it’s a great way to stay in touch with old colleagues as well.

I’m not “active” on there, but it’s nice to have. I highly recommend it. What’s to lose?

I’m not sure what industry you’re in but it’s also a nice way to have a professional profile. I’m in technology and a lot of times colleagues / other employees will reference your LinkedIn just to learn a little bit about you. Happens all the time.

If you're an office professional, you're sort of expected to have a LinkedIn profile.

If you're actively looking, there's a premium feature you pay for to get higher visibility to recruiters and other job seeking help.

The price is right and the opportunities are limitless. No real downside that I've discovered after 12-15 years. We scan it for new hires above a certain level of responsibility.

I'm an inactive member. I joined because my best friend wanted me to. I'm 80 years old, twice retired, and not seeking employment. I do occasionally receive e-mails with job offers.

flashguy

I’ve had a profile since the early days when it was just an online, cross-referencing Rolodex sort of thing. It was an ideal way to keep track of professional colleagues and find contact information for people you lost track of.

It slowly morphed into just another social media platform, which I abhor, and while the original functionality is still there, you have to deal with all the crap surrounding it now.

-Rob

Very minimal, hardly active account. For what I do there is little use. I don’t rank it much above Facebook.

It may be helpful for some.

I am a super heavy LinkedIn user. In fact the current job I am going thru interviews for was found on LinkedIn.

For the most part I only connect with people whom I know. My email is in my profile here, anyone who would like to connect with me please send me a PM with your name and your industry.

I'll send you a request.

I login and read stuff several times a week, but I don't actively post much on there. Just have my profile set up. I get contacted on a monthly basis from recruiters about new jobs. That probably depends on the industry that the job is in though. Some use recruiters more than others.

I use it as a professional networking source. I don’t have a pay subscription just the free version. Had several interviews as a result via recruiters but none exciting enough to leave my current job. Most recruiters find out my pay and how much vacation I get and thats usually the end of most conversations. I don’t read the linked articles or other crap. I also use it as a mini background source on clients... see where they went to college, how long on current job and how many previous jobs in recent years.

I ignored it for years...never really got into it.

Then I was out of work, and I fully embraced it and now I'm on there everyday. Definitely a great tool if you're trying to network, or find a job.

Edited to add in first post: Is Premium worth it?

It's the best way to network and reach people directly. I'm in sales and use it daily. My work pays for the Sales Navigator but I've been fine using the standard free version.

I have a fairly generic profile there. Don't spend much time there.

Shows my career chronology but not in resume-like detail. Just a thumbnail sketch. Attached to a gmail address.

As others have said - its a good way to be connected in your industry.

It's professional - no personal drama. Do not connect with 'friends' - connect with like-minded professionals in your field. It can be an asset.

No downside really IMO as long as you don't post stupid stuff.

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It's free and when applying for jobs it's easy to just put the LinkedIn link.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Edited to add in first post: Is Premium worth it?

I'm just doing the free trial now....it's ok, couple added features, but it's definitely not worth the $59.99 per month that they want for it.

I use it infrequently but it's definitely a good way to network. I have had some of my customers and vendors send me a friend request and have accepted.

Read the terms of service.

LinkedIn _owns_ your data. If you cancel your account, you are the only one who doesn't have access to it. You'll still receive the connection requests. Ask me how I know.

Microsoft owns LinkedIn. It's frequently referred to as "Facebook for professionals." Although there are a lot of "non-professionals" on the site.

If you're looking for new employment, it's pretty much required to have a LinkedIn account. Otherwise, the signal-to-noise ratio is quite high.

(And how can my real estate agent recommend me for my database skills? She's never seen me working on a database!)

I am starting to use it more. It's a very good source for keeping in touch with former colleagues, and finding contacts and expertise you may need.

For example, I just re-connected with a college friend who now owns a business that conducts clinical trials. We haven't spoken in 25 years, but he is going to help me with a few things.

There is also a flag you can set on your account that states you are available and looking for a position. This tells recruiters that they can contact you.

Most of my clients use LinkedIn extensively in their searches for candidates.

I've definitely realized it's something that the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it.