LINKEDIN Profiles
 

I have been looking at the profiles and details some serving members of the Armed Forces place on LinkedIn (professional Face-book). I understand that blowing your own trumpet is sometimes needed when applying for jobs but why put details such as your last annual assessment (along with the name of who wrote it!) when still in? Also a full list of what roles and responsibilities you have had do not need to be shared in an uncontrolled manner, especially if they concern ongoing ops!

I remember the days you were encouraged to be the grey man and not advertise your background. Some seem not to have been educated in this area and leave themselves wide open to HIS.

Some individuals clearly have an elevated opinion of their own performance and a vivid imagination. I hope they do not attract unwanted attention as a result.

So do most of us, but there aren't many employers these days, that want the grey man! Do you want a job, or not?

Self marketing is important. As long as you don't state a falsehood, it's quite normal to put a 'positive spin' on your quals and experience.

There's no excuse for compromising security, but if you want someone to notice you in the job market, grey men by definition don't stand out.

When I was commissioned, we were even advised not to have our names published in the nationals (Times, Gazette, etc). Why make it easy for the enemy (as it was then, I know EVERYONE is our friend now!) to find out background about you?

Would you regret posting anything once you're sitting in an I****** interrogation room?

It's all part of the online networking culture. That's why peeps appear so happy to divulge their inner most secrets on Faceb00k et al.

Peoples' idea of security (including personal security) have become very complacent. The security people need to give better advice and thrusters need to think more carefully about about how they are compromising themselves and those around them.

Yes I know my life story is on the interweb, but I didn't put it there until I left.

IMHO

If you think an inflated profile on Linked-blah is going to get you a job, you may have a long wait!

My point is aimed at those who are still serving!

I know a few of the characters with inflated profiles. A good interrogator would quickly see through the thin veneer.

Oh, yes, Tony. I realised that was what you meant. I was trying to support your position, not argue against it. My reference to my situation was purely to illustrate my convictin that serving personnel shout not post personal details in the public domain. That's why I waited.

:ok: Totally agree

Friend of friend is a recruitment manager who says when he has decided shortlist for any interview (about 8 people max) then spends 1-2 days using Google and other sites digging through the detail so he will end up with 3 people to interview.

When recruiting ex forces he spends even more time.

At a dinner one evening, wife of another friend really gave him a hard time about it until he said he agreed BUT when he recuiting ex forces he feels that anybody who so easily publishes details of what they did, when have OSA signed is probably not going to be able to keep mouth shut.

Must admit to agreeing his point there.

Thank you for that sage advice, but my point was the value of self marketing. Of course it needs to be relevant, accurate and not compromise your security or that of others, but I didn't think I had to quantify that in my original post!

CL, a relavant CV, reasoned approach to employer and a good interview might be better than trumpet blowing on a networking site. As racedo rightly said, networking sites are more likely to get you off the shortlist than on it. Military careers, even done well, don't appear to come over terribly well in ths sites. I suspect it may be better to have no public profile than one that looks wrong.

Sorry but thats absolute rubbish and I am critical of Linkedin if just used as a Facebook for business

Sites like Linkedin as a way of weeding out some of the chaff plus allowing employers and agencies an opportunity to get the advert out there without spending £5k to national media plus 40% of salary to an Agency.

Unless you feel companies like Vodafone / Tesco / Sainsbury's / Shell / BT etc are not reputable .....

Its a great way of looking just who someone is connected to, as too many and you they a contact chaser and too few then maybe there is a reason.

In any medium sized org a recuiter may not know that X, who joined last year worked for B company 3 years ago, where potential interviewee coming from. A quick call as to whether interviewee is as capable as CV can save a lot of crap.

Agencies can have specific requirements that none of their candidates registered have, a search on Linkedin opens it a lot, otherwise where do you advertise, in the hope that someone with the requisite skills see it ?

"otherwise where do you advertise"
Specialist recruiting agencies for your job sector works pretty well without exposing yourself to public purview.I'll repeat - Linked-in is for sad gits and failures who lack communication skills

I know this won't be everyone's cup of tea, but ignore the tone and listen to the wisdom. And good luck - you need every tool you can think of, even if you hate using them.

James,

You have absolutely no idea what you are on about.

I suggest you adopt another view from your tower before you leave.

G:ok:

Do you know how many agencies are out there...............seriously ?

Offshoots of big agencies are a constant who have a "relationship" with a dept or recuiter in a company who don't wish to pay the fees to advertise but still want the best person for the job.

As for the public view bit well if you are looking for a specific specialism, 1 week of your search starting via every agency every single one of your competitors knows of it......... not a good idea.

Most agencies are regional based which means you relying on someone looking for a job registering with everyone if they are even looking.........a souless and time consuming job. But if the specialism you want exists in a couple of places do you chase every agency and spend a fortune of media advertising hoping to get the correct person.

Instead you employ 1 agency on a retainer who can target people and narrow down the field.

People laughed at the idea of advertising and selling houses on the net 10 years ago.........not anymore.

Using Linkedin to sell your services which is what you are selling makes perfect sense.

racedo hits the nail on the head - reduced capital outlay.

I am afraid that your outlook, James, smacks of the 'I have been in the RAF and recruiters will be bashing my door down to get me in their firm' stance.

______________________________

G:ok:

"with the sh!t you write fella, you must have some profile on LinkedIn."
resorting to abuse when faced with the facts doesn't make it go away you know

"You have absolutely no idea what you are on about."
er -hate to correct you, but yes I do

Plenty of misplaced arrogance...little knowledge.

I stand by my previous comment.

____________________________________________________________ ___

G:ok:

Guys. Some of you know of my previous. However, I am here to tell you that anyone who thinks the Linkedin can give you a lead or an invite or a job or intros to the big guys is living in false hope. The same with face-book etc., Been there, done that and didn't bother with the T-shirt.

PPRuNe does not support these. In times like these the last thing you need is a tail chase and a flick off the top. Instead have a Happy Christmas and New Year

I am closing the thread.


PPP