How important do you think LinkedIn is?

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 03:15:42 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 3:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 03:17:13 -0400

EXTREMELY help everyone help each other enough said.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 20 at 2015 4:05 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 04:05:47 -0400

Networking is always good and it is another Networking Tool but I don't think it is the end all, be all that it sells itself as.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 5:51 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 05:51:15 -0400

In general, I think it is fairly important, but not a deal breaker. Resumes can only hold so much information, so it is a nice "extra page" that can be used to add experience and certifications that might be nice for an employer to know, but may not make the cut for your official application. If you can get your previous coworkers and leaders to endorse you and provide a blurb about your character and work ethic, it can only help in the end. Many employers are now using the site, and I know a few personally who routinely check on their applicants to get a better idea of the "whole person."

For some careers, however, I do think that it is an absolute MUST. For example, if you're in marketing or advertising, you should especially be able to market yourself and your skills. In a time where websites, Facebook pages, and twitter accounts are used as a main source of advertising, it is extremely vital that the team you hire demonstrate their ability to properly use the net and all of its resources.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 7:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 07:51:40 -0400

What is LinkedIn?

Response by LT Garth Young (Ret) made Jul 20 at 2015 7:53 AM

LT Garth Young (Ret) — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 07:53:46 -0400

As a civilian recruiter for the past 18 years I can share with you that Linked In is a professional recruiting tool used extensively by recruiters and HR staff in companies. Facebook is personal, Linked In is professional. If you're looking for employment, you should have a Linked In profile page and it should be accurate, current, and professional.

Response by SGT Mike Zimnicki made Jul 20 at 2015 8:38 AM

SGT Mike Zimnicki — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 08:38:46 -0400

LinkedIn is a great way to get noticed. If you are looking for a civilian career it is a must! Recruiters scoure it daily to find qualified candidates. The key is how you articulate your military career and what you post. Do make sure you post, that will help to give you exposure. All social media has one common principle when job hunting, DO NOT post anything inappropriate and remember your possible employer will be screening through all social media outlets.

I have a class I offer free to veterans, for more info contact me or go to our website.

Www.naadee.org

Mike [login to see]

Response by MSgt Roger Younce made Jul 20 at 2015 8:58 AM

MSgt Roger Younce — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 08:58:53 -0400

I think it is a total waste of time.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Jul 20 at 2015 9:06 AM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 09:06:41 -0400

I keep employment opportunities open. My girlfriend has account and several people have viewed it but neither of us has seen anything worth jumping on yet

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 20 at 2015 9:23 AM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 09:23:20 -0400

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR I use it everyday for professional and personal contacts. It increases visibility on-line and that is the main reason I use.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 20 at 2015 9:31 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 09:31:39 -0400

LinkedIn is as important as how active the member is. I have been approached by some recruiters on the site, had I not been working the current position I am in now, I may have taken up some of those offers. Some fairly well known companies have approached me, Amazon, BlackRock, CitiGroup, JP Morgan, Siemens. Yes I am name dropping.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jul 20 at 2015 11:22 AM

PO2 Peter Klein — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 11:22:15 -0400

LinkedIn is invaluable to my business. Last year LinkedIn connections accounted for 10% of my gross revenues. It also provided resources that might not have been otherwise available to a small business. It is about the networking!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 20 at 2015 9:22 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:22:31 -0400

It's a good networking site. I have used it to find employees and leads for jobs. It's a great tool.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 12:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 00:21:38 -0400

It did nothing for me and I just received a job offer from a company I wanted to work for. I reached out to them the good old fashion way....a hiring event.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 21 at 2015 8:14 PM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:14:11 -0400

I personally haven't furthered my own career with LinkedIn but I know others who have.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 12:55 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:55:23 -0400

It is, and isn't, important. It is a good way to network, but seems like a business version of Facebook these days.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 2:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:49:58 -0400

Being fortunate enough to be an active duty service member selected to work with private industry for a year - I will say it's extremely important. It's pretty much required for the organization I work for, to have and maintain an updated LinkedIn profile. The H.R. and recruiting staff here also rely on LinkedIn as a viable recruiting tool to select potential candidates to fill vacancies.

I've already begun telling my Soldiers who are transitioning out (retirement and end of enlistment) to establish a profile on LinkedIn with pertinent information.

Response by Amn Anne Hofferkamp made Aug 27 at 2015 7:57 PM

Amn Anne Hofferkamp — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:57:23 -0400

LinkedIn has its good points as it's good to network and keep up with colleagues. If you end up working for a locally owned small business and you live in a small town the owner may never look on LinkedIn for you as a prospective hire. Those jobs are best gotten through networking locally, e.g. church, friends, PTA. It doesn't hurt to join the American Legion, VFW, Amvets. If your goal is to work for a major business they probably utilize to advertise and hire. The best site I found was Indeed (http://www.indeed.com/) for specific job searches.

Response by CPT John M. O'Connor made Dec 22 at 2015 6:08 PM

CPT John M. O'Connor — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 18:08:59 -0500

Extremely important if for career advancers.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 24 at 2015 4:33 PM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 16:33:44 -0500

Since everyone is going electronic, LinkedIn provides a way for us to make an advanced resume. It makes us searchable, but none of my interviewers mention wanting to see my LinkedIn profile. It does help in applying for jobs online though. Otherwise I don't see any utility to it.

Response by SPC James White made Jun 13 at 2016 3:25 PM

SPC James White — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 15:25:26 -0400

Dylan, I had the humble honor to attend corporate linkedin's xmas party in 2015 here in SF. As a member of Vetsintech dot co. Some 70 or so vets in attendance. And with todays MS purchase of Linkedin, my first thought was, "will they keep or disband our veterans.linkedin.com platform? I met the Linkedin staff running this platform, saluted their giving vets a one-year free membership for all access services. So yes and paused today as we see where the company Jeff Winer, creator, holds for vets in the future. Salutes CW3 Raymond. jpw, SF, Ca.