LinkedIn - worth it?

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
07/15/2014 at 22:48 • Filed to: None

I'm just getting ready to graduate with a Master's in computer science, and need to find a decent job. Has anyone had good luck at all with being on LinkedIn? In the past I've had more than enough spam from them, and more or less swore to never get on there.... but push comes to shove, I need a job.

In case anyone is wondering, I've got 3.5 - 4 years of industry experience in working with C#/.Net software for the oil and gas industry, as well as a Computer Systems Tech diploma, a bachelor's of computer science - both with co-op work experience, and soon to be a Master's in computer science as well.

Unfortunately for me, my wife and I live in Lethbridge, Alberta - not exactly a sprawling metropolis of tech work. I've lived in Calgary and Edmonton before, but I'd rather not do it again. Ideally my wife and I would like to stay in Lethbridge, as there's going to be a new little BaconSandwich Jr. arriving in December, and we'd like to be around family for that. That being said, sometimes a person has to follow the buffalo and go where the jobs are.

DISCUSSION (10)

Textured Soy Protein > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/15/2014 at 22:50

I've gotten 2 jobs, including my current one, from people finding me on linkedin. So even though I hate it, I can't complain too much. I've worked as a tech recruiter mostly, and am now director of career services at a tech college.

If you're a developer on linkedin, prepare to get bombarded with messages from recruiters. They may not all be on target, but you'll get hit up plenty.

phenotyp > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/15/2014 at 22:56

It can be, although I've always had too many non-work people try to add me to their "professional" networks. I have found out some decent inside info on companies prior to engagement, so that's a plus, and I have an interview coming up through someone who contacted me through it.

It's a mixed bag. They're spammy and invasive as hell. If there are industry-specific boards that are more concerned with what you actually do, those are far more helpful.

Formula4speed > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/15/2014 at 23:01

I've landed one job on LinkedIn and another on craigslist—both great-paying engineering jobs that suited my postgraduate degree well and were local to me. I think the best advice I could offer re: LinkedIn would be to join as many groups relevant to your field as possible. Pretty sure that's where the recruiters go to collate lists of potential matches.

Lokki > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/15/2014 at 23:11

The good news is that I get headhunted every few months. I also seem to receive a pretty steady stream of email announcements from companies with positions suitable for me. Without a good resume et al on LinkedIn, I doubt if I would be aware of any of this. So, yeah, it's definitely worth it. There are also discussion groups good for idea networking which I fond useful. The bad news is that at least 3 old girl friends have found me and 'just wondered how I'm doing'. This, network requests from old college acquaintances, along with network requests from the people whom I barely know, or don't know at all, and who are not even in my field are kind of wearying. Many people just seem to collect people in their networks like teen girls add charms to bracelets. I suppose all this would happen on FaceBook if I were on it, but I naively had assumed LinkedIn would be different and all business. It ain't.

The bottom line is that even with the annoyances, I think LinkedIn is useful and valuable.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/15/2014 at 23:20

From what I've heard from businesspeople who use it, it is a good tool.

JGrabowMSt > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/15/2014 at 23:40

do it. I use LinkedIn as my internet resume, and I get a decent amount of traffic because of the people I know. Its not something to just set up and ignore, but its also not facebook. Stay active, but dont discuss getting hammered with buddies.

Groups help you get found. I get lots of job offers, but they want years of experience Im not old enough to have.

In all, its way better than facebook, and lets you separate work related things. I dont really use facebook for anything to begin with, but in all, Id rather have linkedin, because it has a far more professional feel than "friending" an employer. Being friends is definitely important, but its not professional enough when you go to set up a career.

BoulderZ > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/16/2014 at 00:31

LinkedIn is worth it. It is a social media site looking for an angle, like everyone else. So, there's spam and stupid crap to ignore, like everything else. The difference is managing this one leads to jobs and money, while others lead to... something, I suppose. Just use the privacy controls and delete/ignore the BS and you'll be well ahead.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/16/2014 at 00:37

It's worth trying. And if you fiddle with your settings, they are much less Spammy.

Jimmy Tango > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/29/2014 at 11:37

You and I have similar skills set and education, only different industry. I found my new gig on LinkedIn, through "easy apply" button. I couldn't be happier with my new employee, and I think LinkedIn while not for everyone, is at least worth hosting a public profile (although as a coder I would suggest Github would be a more representative way to show your profolio.)

Congrats with the new family addition!

get-nick > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/29/2014 at 12:39

Regardless if you pay for LinkedIn or not, you need to have elite profile quality. I'm not looking for jobs, but I have recruiters reaching out to me quite frequently, and it's from great companies. (Microsoft and Amazon to name a couple).

Finding a job today is 100% networking and getting in front of people. After you meet people and send out your resume, the first thing they do is check your LinkedIn page. Have it up to date and be thorough. Read some how-to guides on creating your page and spend a good amount of time working on it.

Good luck!