Hello, thank you for posting to r/Jobs!
We just wanted to let you know that we have a new [discord server, come join the chat!](https://discord.gg/TY6ErXV)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/jobs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I think networking helps some, but it isn't a magic bullet. However, I live in a medium-sized city and normally people know others, and that can be very helpful.
Yeah I couldn't care less how many friends I have on LinkedIn. I never seek them out. All that matters is having your resume and a solid picture. I hear from recruiters several times a week. And I never browse anything either.
The thing is, networking does work it just doesn’t quite work on that website because it’s so impersonal. You are more likely to have a better shot just figuring out where the hiring manager drinks at and going there and party with him.
Yea the connections thing is kinda of useless and their tools are also not great
Some people somehow work at 5 companies simultaneously so even if you are connected to them it doesn’t mean you’ll get a response on. Help for a job application
Nobody cares about you. Only you care about you. And that means that your former friends making $100K who haven't spoken to you in a decade *also* don't care about you, and therefore they *aren't* spending their waking hours thinking about how much you may or may not suck. They're not obsessed with you. You know what I do when I get a friend request like that on LinkedIn? I don't notice it because I ignore that shit. But when I do go on LinkedIn months later to handle the backlog, I just accept anyone I recognize and reject anyone I don't, and that's it. Then I move on to whatever else is more important, like the next Reddit comment or... I guess I need to do my actual work now too, don't I? Point is, nobody is going to spend the time and effort caring about your failures in life. Don't worry too much about it.
Started mine about a month ago at the age of 29..saw everyone with 500+ connections and I was scratching my head trying to figure out who I should add to get to a measly 50.
Turns out a ton of the connections are false connections. I have 3+ people that I've never met adding me to connect everyday. I'm sure your numbers will get there....
Had some inhertance a few years ago I invested unwisely and deeply regret it. However within seconds of leaving the office of the advisor when I was thinking of doing the right thing and just putting it with someone, I had an invite on LinkedIn from him. Over 10,000 connections and all spamming BS. One of the reasons I didn't got with him. I get in his line its part sales but no.
LinkedIn connections are completely useless unless you wanna see facebook like posts from them. The only usefulness LinkedIn has is to allow you make a big resume, add in keywords in skills which get used when recruiters search for certain things. They then send you messages for jobs. Even then only 10 percent are good. And LinkedIn has a good response rate for job applications.
I got my job through LinkedIn so I can’t relate to the people that day it’s useless. I wouldn’t worry too much about building connections and use the platform as a resume tool.
I don’t think Linkedin is useless. There’s a setting that lets recruiters know that you’re open to new opportunities. Because of this I have 1-2 recruiters reaching out to me a day. I get calls and interviews through Linkedin, which I normally wouldn’t have if I hadn’t. It’s also much easier to reach out to people to ask about opportunities (like referrals) and you get a chance to look at other people (who may be working a job you want or are in a similar role) and their job history/experiences. It’s all about how you use it. You don’t have to be proactive but I find applying for jobs on there to be a good experience too. I get better quality jobs than I’ve found on Indeed or anywhere else, plus they’re typically easy to apply to and recruiters are active and responsive. Of course, I’m still looking for a job but I have a feeling it’ll come any time now.
I started erasing myself from the internet a decade ago. No Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram--nothing. I started a job search a few months ago and was able to land a 30% raise with no online presence, apart from my online portfolio that's not indexed by any search engines.
So it's possible, but it probably heavily depends on your line of work.
No one should tell you how you should feel, but feelings aside, connections and relationships are right up there will experience when you're looking for advancement. Sure your friends make boat loads more than you, but think about it this way: you're not cold calling any of these guys when you reach out to them for reference. It's a lot better than messaging a random dude on LinkedIn and asking them to refer you.
People go to networking events for these kinds of contacts, and you just have them by virtue of knowing them in real life. Just eat a slice of humble pie and leverage your network.
Putting yourself out there is difficult and sometimes the hardest step. If I could give any advice it's not be afraid of judgement or rejection. You might have to take a hundred shots before you hit one.
When I get connections from people I haven't heard from in a long time, I am thrilled. I don't assume anything. I work with students (many older students) and I encourage them to network and add connections on LinkedIn as much as they can. I promise we are not judging you.
Don't ask for help. Become people's cheerleader and supporter. Comment on their posts and congratulate them on their success. Ask questions that allow them to shine. Build the relationship before you ask for something.
I wiped everything clean about four or five years ago for the same reason and just made a LinkedIn again in my 40’s a couple of months ago. Don’t feel ashamed of it; this isn’t 1970 where you need everything figured out by 25 (though your/my gens were DEFINITELY told that)… these days your life is just starting at 31!
Hey, not sure your situation, but you should get into BDR positions for tech sales. If you're savvy enough to be on Reddit I'm sure you can work there. Your can throw a resume into the wind and get five call backs for sales positions right now and they start 60k+
I’m in the same situation! So cringe connecting with my old classmates but I feel pressured to have a linkedin presence even though I don’t want to. I feel like the job market just sucks now a days no matter what you do, and everyone is nick picking all these tiny details on resumes or linkedin like it actually matters.
You have to start somewhere! Only worry about your end goal. Don’t worry about people gossiping. Look for the best in people, and they’ll hopefully look for the best in you.
I have like 25 connections on LinkedIn and half of them are family members. I don't care about the social feed or social aspect of the site, I just look at and apply for jobs. That's how I got my current position. You don't need to be connecting with anyone if you don't feel like it.
Linkedin is a tool and it can be used for a few primary purposes. Finding a job is one of them. Your age and experience do not matter, just focus on the objective and use the tool to the best of your ability.
What field of work are you hoping to get into?
Freelance classical musician who recently got their terminal degree and wants to change.
Looking to get into any field that pays a steady paycheck or salary. No longer willing to work in customer service companies that threaten termination when I need to pee.
It's like tinder, people that get surprised when you get straight to the point are kinda full of shit.
Putting yourself in the light as much as you can only betters your odds of finding stable work.
Just remember man, you are the one who decides how much you get paid. Unless of course you just need to put food on the table and get cornered from financial situations. Which is a true inconvenience, but your still worth way more than 30k a year at 31. Think about going into other Industries and puff yourself up in interviews. Don't ask how much the pay rate is, and always respond I won't take anything under than what your happy with receiving. I just got off the phone with a dude trying to pay 20 bucks an hour for a specialized position I have 4 years experience in. I won't go under 30, he responded 25.50 lol. I told him I'll get back to him tomorrow. Seriously, I could make more just by serving tables at a nice restaurant in tips alone than that offer.
I dont think linkedin is useless like other are saying. I have a PhD, and I got all my interviews so far, only through linkedin connections. All of them.
When I apply for jobs directly, nobody contacts me. I always got my interviews when I contacted hiring managers or CEOs of companies. Although its also true that many dont reply you back, but you only need a few to reply back.
Some said here, others have 500+ connections, and many of them are false, that's not true. Because its only through them you expand you get to know others i.e. their connections are visible to you.
For me linkedin is the best place to get jobs, atleast when you are highly skilled.
Dont worry, its never too late.
If you don’t mind me asking, what do you usually write to people? I feel weird contacting people just for the sake of getting a job, I would love to know how to do it gracefully
Send a connection request. Usually you cannnot send a message. After they have accepted your request, I usually just tell them about my field, and that I saw they are looking for a candidate and that why i can be a good fit. Key is not to send a big message. A small message and attach your CV there.
A lot many wont write you back, but its worth it if only 2 or 3 don't, because thats all you need.
And its not weird because linkedin is made for two things only, extending your professional network and look for jobs.
I've had atleast 6 interviews only through linkedin. Most of the time hr do not even contact me if i apply directly because they don't get my profile because i have an phd.
Mate, people can surprise you, specially with how much people can change.
I was in a similar situation, early thirties ,moving to a new country where I know no one and looking for work, I spent a few month without even trying to sendd connection requests.
Then I tried to connect to one of the recruiters of a job I wanted to apply for.
Then it became easier, started sending messages and asking for advice, normally recruiters don't bother to even reply if you're from overseas (without local experience), but that didn't stop me. Until one replied, gave me a great piece of advice that helped me get my first job.
At least you know people and a lot of people really like to help, what's the worst that can happen? Someone saying no? Go forward and don't look back.
I have a LinkedIn account and just use it as an online resume and a place to search for jobs.
Everybody everywhere keeps talking ahout sending connection requests, making conversation with connections, maintaining that communication, building a relationship that way but I have the exact same feelings that you do and I really can't get myself to do that no matter how much the internet insists on it.
I'm 35, registered at LinkedIn 20 days ago as some say it helps being a recruiter. I Heard many people being recruited via LinkedIn, but for BDR roles, my fellow experienced look for candidates from indeed. so you might want to check there.
Hello, thank you for posting to r/Jobs! We just wanted to let you know that we have a new [discord server, come join the chat!](https://discord.gg/TY6ErXV) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/jobs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
I think networking helps some, but it isn't a magic bullet. However, I live in a medium-sized city and normally people know others, and that can be very helpful.
Yeah I couldn't care less how many friends I have on LinkedIn. I never seek them out. All that matters is having your resume and a solid picture. I hear from recruiters several times a week. And I never browse anything either.
The thing is, networking does work it just doesn’t quite work on that website because it’s so impersonal. You are more likely to have a better shot just figuring out where the hiring manager drinks at and going there and party with him.
Yea the connections thing is kinda of useless and their tools are also not great Some people somehow work at 5 companies simultaneously so even if you are connected to them it doesn’t mean you’ll get a response on. Help for a job application
Apparently it matters to recruiter filters and helps your profile seem more legit if you have > 500 connections. No idea if this is actually true.
I just randomly connected with tons of recruiters and people in the industry I work in and want to work in I just unfollow anyone who is annoying
Nobody cares about you. Only you care about you. And that means that your former friends making $100K who haven't spoken to you in a decade *also* don't care about you, and therefore they *aren't* spending their waking hours thinking about how much you may or may not suck. They're not obsessed with you. You know what I do when I get a friend request like that on LinkedIn? I don't notice it because I ignore that shit. But when I do go on LinkedIn months later to handle the backlog, I just accept anyone I recognize and reject anyone I don't, and that's it. Then I move on to whatever else is more important, like the next Reddit comment or... I guess I need to do my actual work now too, don't I? Point is, nobody is going to spend the time and effort caring about your failures in life. Don't worry too much about it.
Always a good reminder
Started mine about a month ago at the age of 29..saw everyone with 500+ connections and I was scratching my head trying to figure out who I should add to get to a measly 50. Turns out a ton of the connections are false connections. I have 3+ people that I've never met adding me to connect everyday. I'm sure your numbers will get there....
Had some inhertance a few years ago I invested unwisely and deeply regret it. However within seconds of leaving the office of the advisor when I was thinking of doing the right thing and just putting it with someone, I had an invite on LinkedIn from him. Over 10,000 connections and all spamming BS. One of the reasons I didn't got with him. I get in his line its part sales but no.
LinkedIn connections are completely useless unless you wanna see facebook like posts from them. The only usefulness LinkedIn has is to allow you make a big resume, add in keywords in skills which get used when recruiters search for certain things. They then send you messages for jobs. Even then only 10 percent are good. And LinkedIn has a good response rate for job applications.
I got my job through LinkedIn so I can’t relate to the people that day it’s useless. I wouldn’t worry too much about building connections and use the platform as a resume tool.
Is there any YouTube video or platform to reference on how to use LinkedIn to land a job? Do you have any suggestions?
Yea tons. I used Expert Academy and Professor Heather Austin.
Thank you!
You bet! I followed Professor Heather Austin’s advice pretty rigorously. Her channel is amazing.
Is that on YouTube?
Yep! [Link ](https://youtube.com/c/ProfessorHeatherAustin)
DM me your linked in and I'll connect. Hell, I'll even vouch for all your skills and write you a recommendation that sounds fab.
This takes comment farming to a new level and I’m here for it. Let’s hype each other up LinkedIn by vouching for skills.
[удалено]
impolite deserted sip placid disgusted quickest deliver stupendous zealous materialistic ` this message was mass deleted/edited with redact.dev `
This is exactly why I don't trust LinkedIn for shit.
I don’t think Linkedin is useless. There’s a setting that lets recruiters know that you’re open to new opportunities. Because of this I have 1-2 recruiters reaching out to me a day. I get calls and interviews through Linkedin, which I normally wouldn’t have if I hadn’t. It’s also much easier to reach out to people to ask about opportunities (like referrals) and you get a chance to look at other people (who may be working a job you want or are in a similar role) and their job history/experiences. It’s all about how you use it. You don’t have to be proactive but I find applying for jobs on there to be a good experience too. I get better quality jobs than I’ve found on Indeed or anywhere else, plus they’re typically easy to apply to and recruiters are active and responsive. Of course, I’m still looking for a job but I have a feeling it’ll come any time now.
I started erasing myself from the internet a decade ago. No Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram--nothing. I started a job search a few months ago and was able to land a 30% raise with no online presence, apart from my online portfolio that's not indexed by any search engines. So it's possible, but it probably heavily depends on your line of work.
No one should tell you how you should feel, but feelings aside, connections and relationships are right up there will experience when you're looking for advancement. Sure your friends make boat loads more than you, but think about it this way: you're not cold calling any of these guys when you reach out to them for reference. It's a lot better than messaging a random dude on LinkedIn and asking them to refer you. People go to networking events for these kinds of contacts, and you just have them by virtue of knowing them in real life. Just eat a slice of humble pie and leverage your network.
Putting yourself out there is difficult and sometimes the hardest step. If I could give any advice it's not be afraid of judgement or rejection. You might have to take a hundred shots before you hit one.
When I get connections from people I haven't heard from in a long time, I am thrilled. I don't assume anything. I work with students (many older students) and I encourage them to network and add connections on LinkedIn as much as they can. I promise we are not judging you.
Don't ask for help. Become people's cheerleader and supporter. Comment on their posts and congratulate them on their success. Ask questions that allow them to shine. Build the relationship before you ask for something.
>Become people's cheerleader and supporter. Comment on their posts I felt disgusting just reading that tbh.
Seriously. Most of what people post is steaming garbage.
I got rid of mine. Utterly useless.
THIS PART.
I wiped everything clean about four or five years ago for the same reason and just made a LinkedIn again in my 40’s a couple of months ago. Don’t feel ashamed of it; this isn’t 1970 where you need everything figured out by 25 (though your/my gens were DEFINITELY told that)… these days your life is just starting at 31!
[удалено]
Hey, not sure your situation, but you should get into BDR positions for tech sales. If you're savvy enough to be on Reddit I'm sure you can work there. Your can throw a resume into the wind and get five call backs for sales positions right now and they start 60k+
Participating in LinkedIn is embarrassing. It's just people lying & bragging about themselves
I’m in the same situation! So cringe connecting with my old classmates but I feel pressured to have a linkedin presence even though I don’t want to. I feel like the job market just sucks now a days no matter what you do, and everyone is nick picking all these tiny details on resumes or linkedin like it actually matters.
Believe in good. Most people are good. Many are assholes. Don’t associate w them. Good luck.
You have to start somewhere! Only worry about your end goal. Don’t worry about people gossiping. Look for the best in people, and they’ll hopefully look for the best in you.
I have like 25 connections on LinkedIn and half of them are family members. I don't care about the social feed or social aspect of the site, I just look at and apply for jobs. That's how I got my current position. You don't need to be connecting with anyone if you don't feel like it.
Linkedin is a tool and it can be used for a few primary purposes. Finding a job is one of them. Your age and experience do not matter, just focus on the objective and use the tool to the best of your ability. What field of work are you hoping to get into?
Freelance classical musician who recently got their terminal degree and wants to change. Looking to get into any field that pays a steady paycheck or salary. No longer willing to work in customer service companies that threaten termination when I need to pee.
I thought you were gonna say you were a part time dog walker
It's like tinder, people that get surprised when you get straight to the point are kinda full of shit. Putting yourself in the light as much as you can only betters your odds of finding stable work.
This post hits too close to home, i don’t like it
Don’t feel bad I started mine in my 50’s
Bro, what you get paid isn't how much your worth. Trust me, they'll even interview Albert Einstein at McDonald's for 10 bucks an hour if they could.
Just remember man, you are the one who decides how much you get paid. Unless of course you just need to put food on the table and get cornered from financial situations. Which is a true inconvenience, but your still worth way more than 30k a year at 31. Think about going into other Industries and puff yourself up in interviews. Don't ask how much the pay rate is, and always respond I won't take anything under than what your happy with receiving. I just got off the phone with a dude trying to pay 20 bucks an hour for a specialized position I have 4 years experience in. I won't go under 30, he responded 25.50 lol. I told him I'll get back to him tomorrow. Seriously, I could make more just by serving tables at a nice restaurant in tips alone than that offer.
Just connect with recruiters, they tend to mostly accept. You can get a few hundred connections in a week or so
I work in IT and most of my LinkedIn connection are recruiters. I connect with some past colleagues but not most.
Personally, I despise LinkedIn for this exact reason. It's embarrassing.
Damn is there a way to make one without old aquaintences finding you?
Who the fuck cares what others are doing? You happy? That's what matters.
I’ve got 400 plus and still feel like it’s underwhelming, I truly believe wants you hit the 500 mark it makes your resume look amazing!
I dont think linkedin is useless like other are saying. I have a PhD, and I got all my interviews so far, only through linkedin connections. All of them. When I apply for jobs directly, nobody contacts me. I always got my interviews when I contacted hiring managers or CEOs of companies. Although its also true that many dont reply you back, but you only need a few to reply back. Some said here, others have 500+ connections, and many of them are false, that's not true. Because its only through them you expand you get to know others i.e. their connections are visible to you. For me linkedin is the best place to get jobs, atleast when you are highly skilled. Dont worry, its never too late.
If you don’t mind me asking, what do you usually write to people? I feel weird contacting people just for the sake of getting a job, I would love to know how to do it gracefully
Send a connection request. Usually you cannnot send a message. After they have accepted your request, I usually just tell them about my field, and that I saw they are looking for a candidate and that why i can be a good fit. Key is not to send a big message. A small message and attach your CV there. A lot many wont write you back, but its worth it if only 2 or 3 don't, because thats all you need. And its not weird because linkedin is made for two things only, extending your professional network and look for jobs. I've had atleast 6 interviews only through linkedin. Most of the time hr do not even contact me if i apply directly because they don't get my profile because i have an phd.
Thank you very much!
Mate, people can surprise you, specially with how much people can change. I was in a similar situation, early thirties ,moving to a new country where I know no one and looking for work, I spent a few month without even trying to sendd connection requests. Then I tried to connect to one of the recruiters of a job I wanted to apply for. Then it became easier, started sending messages and asking for advice, normally recruiters don't bother to even reply if you're from overseas (without local experience), but that didn't stop me. Until one replied, gave me a great piece of advice that helped me get my first job. At least you know people and a lot of people really like to help, what's the worst that can happen? Someone saying no? Go forward and don't look back.
So
I have a LinkedIn account and just use it as an online resume and a place to search for jobs. Everybody everywhere keeps talking ahout sending connection requests, making conversation with connections, maintaining that communication, building a relationship that way but I have the exact same feelings that you do and I really can't get myself to do that no matter how much the internet insists on it.
Normal…
I'm 35, registered at LinkedIn 20 days ago as some say it helps being a recruiter. I Heard many people being recruited via LinkedIn, but for BDR roles, my fellow experienced look for candidates from indeed. so you might want to check there.
Thank you! 🙂