A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

linkedin

Still trying to figure out LinkedIn

I’ve posted about this before.

Heck, the odds are I’ve posted about it more than once.

But in this world of social media, I tend to have two ways of looking at things – full privacy, or open like a book.

When it comes to platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, I am pretty open. Remember, though, because I work in public information/relations, I tend to watch what I say or post. I’m conditioned to think about every word I post. Sure, sometimes I might have a little more fun with things, but the idea is to make sure nothing you put in the public eye can come back to haunt you. It’s not worth it.

On the flip side, my Facebook is very private. I try and keep my friend’s list at a certain number and make sure it’s smaller. For me, Facebook is more about connecting with closer friends and family. I still don’t post controversial or stupid things as again, you never know what’s out there. But it’s more personal there.

My blog, as you know, is very public.

There are other social network platforms that I use that aren’t really anything I worry about when it comes to public and private.

But then there’s LinkedIn.

A professional social network, it’s one where people can connect on a different level. There are recruiters and companies posting about opportunities. Your resume is out there for people in your circle, so to speak, to see.

So how public or private should your LinkedIn be?

I’ve recently accepted a few invitations and have a few others. Is it something to allow co-workers in? Is it something to allow strangers (they could be recruiters) in? Do you add others friends and family hoping for connections?

It’s one of those things I continue to ponder with social media. How about those of you who have LinkedIn? Besides telling what you do with requests/adding people, how about explaining how you use the platform? I’d like to utilize it more and get the most out of it, if I am going to have it.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

LinkedIn: What’s the best way to use it?

I know this is a topic I’ve written about before, but since then I’ve investigated it a bit more and think I know a few more things about it.

But it still confuses the heck out of me, to a point.

That topic? LinkedIn.

A professional social media site that allows people to scout others and such can be an amazing marketing and professional development tool. You can seemingly do a lot with the site, from sharing stories and such on your feed, to using it as a place to build an online profile.

My biggest wonder is how many people you should let into that bubble. Is it a spot where you just accept “friendships” or “contacts” from anybody who asks? Or should it be from people you know? And what about co-workers? Is that something to avoid?

I know LinkedIn isn’t Facebook or something along those lines. It’s not a place to share what your dinner is or how many pets you have. But, where’s the line when it comes to LinkedIn?

And what’s the best way to use it?

I looked at it over this weekend and saw I had piles of people who requested to be a contact. I didn’t know what to do with them all. Some were connections based on my old disc golf blog. Others were people in my industry or similar industries.

Do I add them? Or do I move on?

LinkedIn gives people a glimpse into more than just your “online” world, it gives you a dose of reality. It can show people your work history and your employers. It can show work you’ve done, projects you’ve worked on and a resume of items you’ve accomplished.

Which brings me back to the question of who do you add?

I can see the benefit of adding people you might not know. It could lead to bigger opportunities if the right person sees your profile. There are ways for employers to look at people’s resumes and all, so could it help you land a bigger payday?

At the same time, I can also see the argument to keep it smaller. Sure, it protects your privacy, but is only adding people you know a way to keep moving forward? Is the site designed to be much bigger?

I’ve wrestled with this for a while and I’ve wanted to really work to update my LinkedIn profile as it’s a great professional tool. How big of a tool, it seems, would be up to the individual person.

So I come to the blogging universe and ask you – how do you use Linkedin (if you do at all)? I’d love to hear some feedback and, heck, if it all works out, maybe we’ll connect there as well!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Reaching out with social networks

I was working on a cover letter and reference list today for a job locally. It’s one I wouldn’t mind getting as it’s the direction I’d like to take my career. While I was figuring the people I’d want to use as references, I got looking at my Linkedin profile.

Then I got wondering a bit more (this happens often).

How far can one go with social networking when looking for jobs?

I know people who utilize each social network for possible employment opportunities — Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc. It seems to me, however, that by putting yourself out there in each spot, you are putting a lot of your information out there.

For me, Facebook is a friend/family thing. Basically, if I don’t know you in real life (with a few exceptions), I don’t add you on Facebook. I have a few photos up there and a few other things, but it’s not really something that can get me in trouble with anything. I have nothing incriminating, but I find it easier to maintain a “friend list” of 200 or fewer, rather than adding everyone and hoping for some networking.

Twitter, is a slice of my life. I don’t have it blocked (though I have in the past) as there’s nothing major on there. I post links, I update life’s little things and all that. I know how to use twitter, which can be beneficial in some jobs I’ve applied for, but my personal one is used for fun.

I’m still learning Linkedin.

It seems like a really strong tool for a job search. I’m trying to grasp and understand how it works and what I can do with it. I’ve added many people to my “network,” but as with other social mediums, how far is too far? I did a search with my e-mail address and noticed many, many people who I’ve had contact with at one point or another who are on Linkedin.

Do you add them all?

Or, do you stay selective?

While I understand that the more people who see your resume/credentials is a good thing, is is wise to just add people, just to add people? I can’t answer that. For now, I’ve been selective. I have to know who I am adding. I don’t have to know them all personally, but I have to know that the people I am adding are ones who I’ve interacted with — whether through online items, stories I was working on, or other social mediums, such as Twitter or blogging.

I’ve learned something since having my position cut in February — in a job market like it currently is, who you know can go a long way. I refuse to believe that my resume has been passed over so many times because I’m lacking in credentials. I’ve done a lot in my career — a lot I am very proud of. The jobs I’ve applied for are ones I know I’m highly qualified for, yet I constantly get overlooked for whatever reason.

An unfortunate part of the job market as it is, too, is the lack of ability to follow up and find out why you were overlooked. With upwards of 100 or more applications for many of these jobs, calling the hiring people wouldn’t always go well. If they are looking at so many applications, it could be anything that got you sent to the “no thanks” pile and the likelihood of someone remembering why you were put there is slim.

For a couple of the jobs I’ve recently applied to, I’ve had people in my corner. In at least one of those, a phone call has been made on my behalf. I hope that it helps as it would be a really sweet gig. There’s a few others I’ve applied for that I am really crossing my fingers about as well.

But where does the social networking come into play?

Do you add all these people on something like Linkedin and put it on your resume? Or one of the other social places? Do you have your own professional website?

Post a comment below and let me know how you do things or how you would do things. And if you are a reader and have Linkedin and want to join my network, let me know.

Finally, I am slowly working on my professional website. But I want to make it quite nice. I’m a little weak with web design, so does anyone have any ideas? Should I do it with a WordPress setup? Should I find someone to design me something? Advice?

Again, drop a comment or e-mail me!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com.