LinkedIn questions

[Ambrosia7177]

Hello.

So who here is on LinkedIn?

May seem like a silly question, but it probably depends on your age and how active you are on social media.

I have some questions regarding it...

 

[lplatellas]

Hello.

So who here is on LinkedIn?

May seem like a silly question, but it probably depends on your age and how active you are on social media.

I have some questions regarding it...

Hi!

I ve been using it for quite some time, perhaps I can help!

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Hi!

I ve been using it for quite some time, perhaps I can help!

Are you in the U.S.?

 

[TiggrToo]

Are you in the U.S.?

What sort of questions you after?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What sort of questions you after?

That is - or those are - the questions on my mind, too.

 

[D.T.]

Yeah, heck, just toss up what you want to know, provide whatever clarifications are needed for us to respond (ex: you need to be in the US / employed in the US).

I'm on LinkedIn, but do nothing actively with it, I get jobs sent my way, the occasional direct offer, etc. I've also done code integrations with it (auth, profile management, etc.)

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Everyone seems to rave about LinkedIn, and most people say you *must* use it to get hired these days.

Until I lost my job at the beginning of the pandemic, that wasn't necessarily the case.

As most of you that read my threads know, I'm a nut about privacy and security.

(And while I did break down and get a mobile # and Twitter account, those were for my startup business, so I think that's totally different.)

Because these are challenging times, I don't want to close doors to job opportunities that might be right in front of me.

At the same time, I do NOT want to use anything that makes my work history, personal information (PII), job references/professional network public information on the Internet until the end of time?!

As an IT contractor, I have used job boards most of my career, and I'm okay with that, because *in theory*, your resume only gets seen by recruiters/employers who pay to be on the website (e.g. Dice.com, Monster.com, Indeed.com, etc).

I think websites like Facebook are dangerous - especially once you start giving them info like where you live, work, etc.

The purpose of this thread is to determine how "dangerous" using LinkedIn would be, based on my requirements and concerns...

 

[TiggrToo]

Everyone seems to rave about LinkedIn, and most people say you *must* use it to get hired these days.

I place that in the same category as “you must have at least a college degree”

In other words, I totally disagree.

Sure I use LinkedIn and yes I have checked up folk who’ve submitted résumes to the various jobs I've been looking to fill.

However I've never used it as a deciding factor, equally the last lass I hired didn't even have a LinkedIn profile and she's still with me.

TBH I keep LinkedIn as a habit now rather than anything useful.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

I place that in the same category as “you must have at least a college degree”

In other words, I totally disagree.

Sure I use LinkedIn and yes I have checked up folk who’ve submitted résumes to the various jobs I've been looking to fill.

However I've never used it as a deciding factor, equally the last lass I hired didn't even have a LinkedIn profile and she's still with me.

TBH I keep LinkedIn as a habit now rather than anything useful.

Well, that's encouraging to hear...

Before I started my last contract, I had a few people hassle me about it, but I simply responded, "I'm not on social media, including LinkedIn, for privacy reasons..."

 

[D.T.]

OK, let's see, so LinkedIn will give you some improved exposure (as a potential candidate), and they will identify possible opportunities that match your profile, and send them your way for review/application.

They're going to have your name, some profile information (previous positions held for example). There's an internal communication mechanism, so you won't have exposure outside of their platform.

Major job boards sell all sorts of services to companies, I mean, the intent is only to source candidates, but the more places you are, the more "exposure" you have (quotes by design).

I do some work in the HR/recruitment space with a local startup, so I've dealt with how information is shared, if you're __that__ concerned, stay off of it, but that's potentially a big omission to your professional opportunities.

 

[Clix Pix]

In submitting a resume along with job history to LinkedIn (or any online resume site, for that matter), just as would be done in person, isn't it necessary to provide essential contact information, including one's name, address and phone number? I wonder how potential employers regard a resume which doesn't include an actual fixed, permanent address for an applicant. but rather the address of some hotel?

 

[C DM]

As an IT contractor, I have used job boards most of my career, and I'm okay with that, because *in theory*, your resume only gets seen by recruiters/employers who pay to be on the website (e.g. Dice.com, Monster.com, Indeed.com, etc).

Seems like without using the social aspects of LinkedIn, just getting your profile up there (simply sticking to the relevant resume type of information) would be more or less the same as having it that same information on those other sites.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

OK, let's see, so LinkedIn will give you some improved exposure (as a potential candidate), and they will identify possible opportunities that match your profile, and send them your way for review/application.

They're going to have your name, some profile information (previous positions held for example). There's an internal communication mechanism, so you won't have exposure outside of their platform.

Major job boards sell all sorts of services to companies, I mean, the intent is only to source candidates, but the more places you are, the more "exposure" you have (quotes by design).

I do some work in the HR/recruitment space with a local startup, so I've dealt with how information is shared, if you're __that__ concerned, stay off of it, but that's potentially a big omission to your professional opportunities.

Like I said before, I haven't had issues with uploading my resume and providing basic deatils (e.g. name, email, password) to job board sites. But with them, if I delete my resume or delete my profile, then it is gone. (Sure they may retain things on their backends, and if there was a data breach it would be a different situation, but as far as I've seen, you control who sees what and when.)

My perception of LinkedIn is that it is like Facebook, and once you give it informations (e.g. employment history, bosses, references) is that it *might* turn around and put that out on the web forever. Somewhat similar to how if you tweet something on Twitter, you can basically expect it to be on the Internet, and searchable on the Internet forever.

In my opinion, you'd be a fol to put your personal details and work details and professional network into such a situation!

But as i ried to state in my OP, I'm not entirely sure how LinkedIn works or what control over your data it does and does not give you. And I'm hoping all of you experts can help enlighten me on this topic!

 

[TiggrToo]

Liek I said before, I haven't had issues with uploading my resume and providing basic deatils (e.g. name, email, password) to job board sites. But with them, if I delete my resume or delete my profile, then it is gone. (Sure they may retain things on their backends, and if there was a data breach it would be a different situation, but as far as I've seen, you control who sees what and when.)

My perception of LinkedIn is that it is like Facebook, and once you give it informations (e.g. employment history, bosses, references) is that it *might* turn around and put that out on the web forever. Somewhat similar to how if you tweet something on Twitter, you can basically expect it to be on the Internet, and searchable on the Internet forever.

In my opinion, you'd be a fol to put your personal details and work details and professional network into such a situation!

But as i ried to state in my OP, I'm not entirely sure how LinkedIn works or what control over your data it does and does not give you. And I'm hoping all of you experts can help enlighten me on this topic!

Here's the raw facts of life: It really doesn't matter - sooner or later somone somewhere will do something stupid (like use an unsecured S3 bucket) to store your information and then it's out there. Don't care if it's an agency, a job site or contractors affiliated with LinkedIn.

**** happens - and these days it's happening with alarming regularity.

The battle is lost. Your data is already out there.

My mother in law has never ever had a computer and her current telephone number is unlisted. She does everything either face to face, via mail or on the phone. One site I checked knows her name, address, age, all her kids, her telephone number and it flagged a local grocery store as "important" (she used to work there in the Deli department).

Remember, she's offline. There's vast swathes of data on her.

Companies like LexisNexis specialize in personal data acquisition. I can all but gurantee they've already quite the dossier on you.

So, choose, you want a job, or you want to continue to try and stay hidden?

I'm easy to find online. I have my fizzog everywhere, alongside my full name. I also shred everything with my name or address on it, use individual email addresses for everyone I give an email address to, and check my bank account and credit cards monthly.

So far, so good.

The question I'd ask you is, what are you really trying to achieve here?

I'm public because I have multiple open source Repos on both Github and GitLab. I use those as my portfolio.

Many people might ask "what have you got to hide?" if you're trying to stay anonymous and be looking for another gig.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Here's the raw facts of life: It really doesn't matter - sooner or later somone somewhere will do something stupid (like use an unsecured S3 bucket) to store your information and then it's out there. Don't care if it's an agency, a job site or contractors affiliated with LinkedIn.

**** happens - and these days it's happening with alarming regularity.

I don't disagree...

The battle is lost. Your data is already out there.

It is not lost entirely. Not everyone has my data. (And my goal is to make sure it stays that way!)

My mother in law has never ever had a computer and her current telephone number is unlisted. She does everything either face to face, via mail or on the phone. One site I checked knows her name, address, age, all her kids, her telephone number and it flagged a local grocery store as "important" (she used to work there in the Deli department).

That's because you are describing "public information". That scenario has existed easily for the last 50 years.

Remember, she's offline. There's vast swathes of data on her.

See above.

Companies like LexisNexis specialize in personal data acquisition. I can all but gurantee they've already quite the dossier on you.

Quite a bit, but not everything...

So, choose, you want a job, or you want to continue to try and stay hidden?

I don't want to create a LinkedIn profile *IF* it means that I cannot delete my resume or uncheck/delete any "contacts" or if I cannot completely delete my profile so it is no longer accessible on LinkedIn (or off of LinkedIn).

Other job boards offer that.

Maybe someone here can address these concerns and explain what LinkedIn does and does not do?

I'm easy to find online. I have my fizzog everywhere, alongside my full name. I also shred everything with my name or address on it, use individual email addresses for everyone I give an email address to, and check my bank account and credit cards monthly.

So far, so good.

I commend our efforts - sounds like a great strategy.

The question I'd ask you is, what are you really trying to achieve here?

If LinkedIn increase my chance for an interview, then great.

If that means any information that I give LinkedIn is completely out of my control, then it's a no-go.

I'm not sure how LinkedIn works.


Would YOU give a piece of sensitive information (e.g. legal name, where you work, personal tele #, etc) if they said to your face, "Once you give this to me, I will do whatever the flip I want with it, and be reassured that I will spread it all over the world at my discretion!!"

Unlikely.

Facebook would do that. I'm not sure where LinkedIn falls on the "evil" continuum...

I'm public because I have multiple open source Repos on both Github and GitLab. I use those as my portfolio.

So it's a business move.

Many people might ask "what have you got to hide?" if you're trying to stay anonymous and be looking for another gig.

And THAT is an age-old, and stupid question...

If I refuse to let the front desk clerk at a hotel scan my driver's license,d oes that mean I have something to "hide"?

If I refuse to give a job recruiter the Last-4 of my SSN to submit my resume, does that mean I have soemthing to "hide"?

If I refuse to tell a potential employer how much I made on my last job, does that mean I have something to "hide"?

No, more likely it means that it's none of flipping business, and they don't need it to do their job!! ;-)


My resume and my contacts for 2020 have no relevence - and are no one's business - in 2021 unless I say so.

(Of course if you work for one of the credit agencies or Lexis/Nexis, I'm sure we can go down the rabbit-hole of, "But you do owe the world this information, because the wrold needs it to JUDGE you and make sure that you are WORTHY for <insert useless s here>...")

 

[C DM]

Like I said before, I haven't had issues with uploading my resume and providing basic deatils (e.g. name, email, password) to job board sites. But with them, if I delete my resume or delete my profile, then it is gone. (Sure they may retain things on their backends, and if there was a data breach it would be a different situation, but as far as I've seen, you control who sees what and when.)

If that means any information that I give LinkedIn is completely out of my control, then it's a no-go.

Realistically speaking, despite what it might seem like, more than likely the kind of information and control that has been given by people to any of those kind of sites/services wouldn't likely be all that different than most other similar sites/services, including LinkedIn.

 

[D.T.]

If I refuse to let the front desk clerk at a hotel scan my driver's license,d oes that mean I have something to "hide"?

If I refuse to give a job recruiter the Last-4 of my SSN to submit my resume, does that mean I have soemthing to "hide"?

If I refuse to tell a potential employer how much I made on my last job, does that mean I have something to "hide"?

No, more likely it means that it's none of flipping business, and they don't need it to do their job!! ;-)

My resume and my contacts for 2020 have no relevence - and are no one's business - in 2021 unless I say so.

OK, I sort of get that, but at what point ... at what age ... when are you simply defeating yourself? Are you going to be broke, 70 years old, living in a trailer in the woods, shaking your fist at the invisible enemy, eating MREs ... ?

Hahahaha, obviously, that's, well, most likely, a bit hyperbolic, but you follow right? I mean, seriously, telling an employer how much you made at your last job? Heck, tell them 30-50% higher, get more money, rate your value higher! Seriously, don't be your OWN worst enemy. At the end of the day, work the system, don't simply refute it and lose out.

 

[Macky-Mac]

you might read Linkedin's privacy policy and see how you feel about what they say they do and don't do.

here's a link

here's just a small quote for starters;

4.1 Data Retention

We generally retain your personal data as long as you keep your account open or as needed to provide you Services. This includes data you or others provided to us and data generated or inferred from your use of our Services. Even if you only use our Services when looking for a new job every few years, we will retain your information and keep your profile open, unless you close your account. In some cases we choose to retain certain information (e.g., insights about Services use) in a depersonalized or aggregated form....

read the policy and see if it works for you

 

[Ambrosia7177]

OK, I sort of get that, but at what point ... at what age ... when are you simply defeating yourself? Are you going to be broke, 70 years old, living in a trailer in the woods, shaking your fist at the invisible enemy, eating MREs ... ?

I've survived in my career for 25 years without ever having a Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn account so what has been my loss?

I'm not sure that I need a LinkedIn account now, but considering we are in a once in alifetime pandemic, I figure it might be wise to be a little more flexible, right?

And in general, I have lived a long and healthy and *FREE* life without coughing up (or selling out) my information.

To @TiggrToo's point, YES, "they" do have a lot of my information, but I'm fairly content where I sit on the privacy continuum. For instance, if I do a free search on myself, I don't find a lot of the info that TiggrToo found on her mother-in-law. And if I Google my name, if it weren't for my corproation, I wouldn't even come up in the searches.

Privacy and security are about tradeoffs, and for the most part I am content with the tradeoffs I make (and have made). But I also keep revising things on a reglar basis, because the world keeps changing and so do the risks...

Hahahaha, obviously, that's, well, most likely, a bit hyperbolic, but you follow right? I mean, seriously, telling an employer how much you made at your last job?

What did I say that was hyperbole? (D.T. only!)

Would I tell a recruiter or a potential employer my previous rate/salary? Hell no! (Never in 20+ years!)

"It doesn't matter what I have made... This is a different opportunity... Why don't we talk about what range you are willing to pay someone with my expertise.."

That's my standard response, and I've never had any real pushback.

Heck, tell them 30-50% higher, get more money, rate your value higher!

Rule #1 in negotiations is to let the other person speak frst and make an offer first. "He who speaks first loses! (Read that in a book in the late 1990s.)

Seriously, don't be your OWN worst enemy. At the end of the day, work the system, don't simply refute it and lose out.

Sage advice. But we're just talking about LinkedIn and any risks to my privacy or data it *may* pose...

Again, I have never been on social media until I got a business Twitter account a few weeks ago, and I'm very old-school in how I live without technology and how I look for work.

It has never really been an issue, BUT in a pandemic, things like LinkedIn *could* potentially help.


I don't mind being exposed to LinkedIn's network - that's the point, right?

I just want the ability to control what happens to my data after I no longer need LinkedIn. That mostly incldues my resume and my contacts.

For instance, if by virtue of linking to another LinkedIn member, that link became permanent - think "orphaned records" then that would be a problem for me.

Why?

Do I have secrets?

More like I have lost some good job references in the past because recruiters in the modern world INSIST that they ned 3 eferences BEFORE they submit your resume. (And of coruse the scrum turn around then and start harassingt them. Or you interview for 5 jobs and your refernce gets called 5 times, even though maybe only one comes through with an offer. THAT is why I am vigilant with my data!!)

Also, I have changed my resume a million times over the years, and I am not offering "versioning" to the Internet!

My startup is on my resume now, but maybe it goes bust in a year,a nd so I'd take it off because it is "yesterday's news". So I don't need LinkedIn or whoever hanging that over my head for the next decade...

See?

Not "hiding". Rather "controlling"... ;-)

 

[TrevorR90]

I'm 29 and am on it.

 

[D.T.]

What did I say that was hyperbole? (D.T. only!)

Oh sorry, I meant what I said was a bit of hyperbole (i.e., hiding in a trailer in the woods )

Rule #1 in negotiations is to let the other person speak frst and make an offer first. "He who speaks first loses! (Read that in a book in the late 1990s.)

Not always - flow like water - I've made pretty decent money, had lots of job offers, owned my own companies for decades, so I must be doing something right

 

[Tomorrow]

If you don't want your resume on LinkedIn, then don't put it there. I've had a LinkedIn profile for years and I've never uploaded a resume. I use it for networking and I can do that just fine simply by making contact with people.

If you think your resume information is private because "only" hiring managers see it, you might be in for a shock. People across an industry share this information. If I get a resume for a candidate, you can bet I'll be asking some of my contacts if they know the person and what they might be willing to tell me. It almost always casts a flattering light on the candidate, but my point is, information like that gets around with or without the internet. Always has.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

If you don't want your resume on LinkedIn, then don't put it there. I've had a LinkedIn profile for years and I've never uploaded a resume. I use it for networking and I can do that just fine simply by making contact with people.

If you think your resume information is private because "only" hiring managers see it, you might be in for a shock. People across an industry share this information. If I get a resume for a candidate, you can bet I'll be asking some of my contacts if they know the person and what they might be willing to tell me. It almost always casts a flattering light on the candidate, but my point is, information like that gets around with or without the internet. Always has.

You haven't read what I've said in this thread...

Why people always go of on tangents is besides me.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I'm 29 and am on it.

Same and I got my current 'career' job from it.
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I've survived in my career for 25 years without ever having a Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn account so what has been my loss?

I think this is the crux of the thread. Times have changed and people get jobs through LinkedIn now. Adding personal info to LinkedIn means you're ok with their privacy policy and also that others may see your info too (though LinkedIn typically shows very little unless you're connected, sort of like Facebook friends).
The tradeoff is improved job prospects. Would you like a job, or to maintain your current level of privacy?

 

[Ambrosia7177]

I think this is the crux of the thread. Times have changed and people get jobs through LinkedIn now. Adding personal info to LinkedIn means you're ok with their privacy policy and also that others may see your info too (though LinkedIn typically shows very little unless you're connected, sort of like Facebook friends).

As long as I can delete my resume, or info in my profile, or delete "connections" and they are gone for good, then I'm probably okay with LinkedIn.

If that information is retained forever with LinkedIn, or made public at *their* whims, or if it gets posted forever to the Internet like a tweet you deleted does, then I think that a big risk for me.

Of course, no one has definitively answered these specific questions...

The tradeoff is improved job prospects. Would you like a job, or to maintain your current level of privacy?

It's not a binary thing...

I happen to be out of work still, NOT because I don't have a LinkedIn account, but because I haven't looked for work sicne my last spot ended...

Why?

Because I am busting my butt to get my business online.

However, I am almost out of money, so there is going to be a "mad dash" to get my butt back to work here in about a week or two.

And I am just researching f I should add LinkedIn to my toolbelt...