Is LinkedIn Still Relevant For Job Hunting / Networking?

[pgen98]

It seemed like, not that long ago, if you wanted to network with like-minded professionals, gain contacts and find jobs, LinkedIn was the spot to do it.  You could talk business, apply for positions, make great contacts within your own industry and build up a real network that covered just about every aspect of the working life; however, at least since stepping away from the 9-5 workforce for a while now, it seems like LinkedIn has become less relevant.  Like the contacts and opportunities are fewer and far between.  I still keep in touch with some programming contacts and I still respond to potential employers who come looking, but...compared with even just a couple of years ago, it seems as though LinkedIn has become less relevant as a professional social networking tool.  Do you still use LinkedIn?  If so, do you find it beneficial to interact there?  Do you keep up with contacts within your field?  Has it helped you find a job?  I'm just curious to see if anyone here makes use of it, because it feels as though, like many platforms before it, LinkedIn is on borrowed time. 

[Absinthe]

I have a LinkedIn profile, but I honestly don't keep it very up-to-date. It was great when I was in automotive sales because I could connect with others in the industry, but I haven't found much of a need for it since I left the auto industry.

[ash]

I have a LinkedIn profile just because it seems like the thing people tend to do nowadays to improve their professional life. Not entirely sure how effective it is though in terms of job hunting. Seems to be great for networking and keeping up with industry news.

[Sharon]

I think it depends on the industry that you're in. I'm in the B2B/technology space so it's very beneficial to have an established LinkedIn network. We find a lot if not most of our candidates on LinkedIn whenever we have job openings.

[scooter]

I have never gotten the idea behind that site. It always seemed that whatever the use, there were better sites available for the task. I was always told that I had to have an account there to be taken seriously in business, and I never got a single useful contact from it. It just seemed to be a place where people would just spam you requesting connections, many of which were dubious. I haven't looked at it in years at this point.

[Sharon]

Sorry you've had a poor experience with LinkedIn. I find it very helpful in my line of work to be able to connect with like-minded individual and share resources in our industry.

[demonskeith]

Just depends on the company really, many I came across didn't care, but I have learned some interesting things looking up people in my company.

[pgen98]

I have to agree, it's going to be industry specific, but it does, or did, have its' uses, for sure! It's a handy tool that can be used to create a great network, either for resource sharing, job discussions, project connections, or more. It's not relevant to me now that I'm just a caregiver, but as a programmer it did indeed have its' uses.

[demonskeith]

Oct 10, 2021 1:05:35 GMT -6 pgen98 said:

I have to agree, it's going to be industry specific, but it does, or did, have its' uses, for sure! It's a handy tool that can be used to create a great network, either for resource sharing, job discussions, project connections, or more. It's not relevant to me now that I'm just a caregiver, but as a programmer it did indeed have its' uses.

What was some good things you got from it as a programmer? I know a programmer right now struggling to get work.

[ash]

The one thing I do hate about it is the stupid "motivational" posts that a lot of people just copy and paste. Just want to reach through my laptop and slap them

[pgen98]

Oct 10, 2021 2:15:11 GMT -6 demonskeith said:

Oct 10, 2021 1:05:35 GMT -6 pgen98 said:

I have to agree, it's going to be industry specific, but it does, or did, have its' uses, for sure! It's a handy tool that can be used to create a great network, either for resource sharing, job discussions, project connections, or more. It's not relevant to me now that I'm just a caregiver, but as a programmer it did indeed have its' uses.

What was some good things you got from it as a programmer? I know a programmer right now struggling to get work.

I used to have great connections with people who worked in different companies that would contact me for freelance work, but I've no idea if they're still in those positions or still able to share work with outside help, since of course all of this was pre-pandemic.  I'd tell them to join LinkedIn, look into groups specific to the industry and try to join in.  The more you participate the more contacts you can make, the better your odds at finding work.

[Sharon]

LinkedIn is all about networking, as the saying goes it's not so much what you know but WHO you know that's important. In a way, it makes it easier for folks to network with other professionals virtual in comparison to the traditional means e.g. in person events, parties, dinners, etc.