Is it really necessary to have a Linked In profile if you are on the job market?

[Anonymous]

NP here. Is there something you should do on your linked in profile to signal recruiters that you're in the job market?

[Anonymous]

There is a section of things you're interested in, one of the options includes "career opportunities"

[Anonymous]

I do hiring. I will check it. Don't have one and I wonder what is wrong with you, likely thinking you're out of touch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a section of things you're interested in, one of the options includes "career opportunities"

This is on by default, correct? If I've had my profile for a while but am now starting to look for the first time, is there a way to make it clear on LinkedIn that I'm now in the job market?

[Anonymous]

I hire people. I always look for LinkedIn profiles. Resumes can be made up or exaggerated. I want to know what you're willing to say about your own skills in public.

[Anonymous]

flip side is if you have a clearance or are in another sensitive role. I have left my last few employers blank, and my job descriptions are *very* abbreviated.

[Anonymous]

NP. Does the profile need to have a photo? And how detailed should it be? And should it be searchable? I have mine turned off for searches and emails to my contacts about profile updates. I have no photo. My name is common enough that you don't see me on google until about 6 pages into a search. I have a low internet footprint (I'm 32) and I want to keep it that way.

Ugh, I hate to hear that we're supposed to have a linked profile. I have one, but rarely do anything with it.

[Anonymous]

I got my last two jobs via Linkedin: recruiters contacted me there.

[Anonymous]

Yes, photo is necessary - get a formal one, not one on the beach or in a cocktail dress.

[Anonymous]

When I was job hunting a year ago, a recruiter told me it was essential. He also said to have a professional photo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was job hunting a year ago, a recruiter told me it was essential. He also said to have a professional photo.

He said that because it helps his job. You don't have to be on LinkedIn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:flip side is if you have a clearance or are in another sensitive role. I have left my last few employers blank, and my job descriptions are *very* abbreviated.

How do people handle this? It's not just clearances, but if you work for agencies/organizations that really don't want a lot of information out there in public, then it seems almost counterproductive to have a profile that has very vague information and lots of gaps.

Most people on LinkedIn have basically what amounts to a resume on there. What if the best stuff on your resume is stuff you really can't publicize?

Would the people who say it's necessary specify what field they are in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Does the profile need to have a photo? And how detailed should it be? And should it be searchable? I have mine turned off for searches and emails to my contacts about profile updates. I have no photo. My name is common enough that you don't see me on google until about 6 pages into a search. I have a low internet footprint (I'm 32) and I want to keep it that way.

Ugh, I hate to hear that we're supposed to have a linked profile. I have one, but rarely do anything with it.

And this says something to employers. I would not want to hire someone like this. In this day and age, there are many professions where your unwillingness or inability to have a professional public presence on the Internet will hurt you.

[Anonymous]

essential, no, but it can certainly help. I have been contacted through linked in by numerous recruiter for position I never would have know about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:flip side is if you have a clearance or are in another sensitive role. I have left my last few employers blank, and my job descriptions are *very* abbreviated.

How do people handle this? It's not just clearances, but if you work for agencies/organizations that really don't want a lot of information out there in public, then it seems almost counterproductive to have a profile that has very vague information and lots of gaps.

Most people on LinkedIn have basically what amounts to a resume on there. What if the best stuff on your resume is stuff you really can't publicize?

Would the people who say it's necessary specify what field they are in?

I'm a hiring manager. I understand you don't want to post all information on LinkedIn, that's fine -- that's what your real resume is for. But your LinkedIn profile better not contradict your paper resume.