Who here is on LinkedIn and, if you are not on it, why?

Sgt William Biggs — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 15:42:03 -0400

https://veterans.linkedin.com

My question is simple. Are you on LinkedIn or not? It is a big point of contention for some, as they don't see the benefit or drawback to being on LinkedIn. I posted a link that allows veterans a 1 year subscription, free, on the job-seeker level. This is huge! I actually got a job after my employer reviewed my LinkedIn, resume, and did their own background search. You can even apply to jobs with your profile or download it for resume purposes. So, again, my question is ARE YOU USING IT? I welcome debates concerning the pro's and cons. I just want to make sure everyone here is being competitive!

Here is my link if you would like to connect:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamrobertbiggs

Today and every day, we salute you.

For those who have so bravely served our country, thank you.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 30 at 2015 3:45 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 15:45:13 -0400

Sgt William Biggs thanks for the needed information. It is worth the network, I get a lot of job information from Recruiters and Hiring Managers.

Response by Ron Westcott made Aug 30 at 2015 4:57 PM

Ron Westcott — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 16:57:04 -0400

I am. I believe it to be a worthwhile web site.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 30 at 2015 6:01 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 18:01:03 -0400

Yes, I do have an active LinkedIn account, but cannot attest to any benefit or drawback to having it, as I have not had to "rely" on it for a position of employment, however, I still keep it updated as we can never be quite sure which direction this economy may go.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 30 at 2015 8:36 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 20:36:09 -0400

I have been on LinkedIn for years, and get jobs offers all the time from it even though I am not actively seeking employment! Great resource.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Aug 30 at 2015 9:18 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 21:18:40 -0400

I'm on LinkedIn. It's a good site for jobs and to keep up with friends.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2015 9:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 21:34:10 -0400

I have one, keep it updated, but since I'm not actively seeking a job, I use it more to see what's out there for when I do get out.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Aug 30 at 2015 9:34 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 21:34:50 -0400

I'm on it, but I haven't had any direct benefit from it (yet anyways). A bunch of my formers students have benefitted from it though.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Aug 30 at 2015 9:36 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 21:36:59 -0400

I am only there because a couple of former employees of mine wanted me to join. They wanted me to endorse them. Probably the last thing that I want is a job. lol

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 30 at 2015 10:27 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 22:27:51 -0400

I used to be an Active member. I made a lot of friends; and people liked what I had to say.
Now I am on Rally Point, and I have to remind myself to go to LinkedIn.
I have a grandson; who is the sweetest young man you'd ever want to meet- on LinkedIn.

Response by SSG James Arlington made Aug 30 at 2015 11:52 PM

SSG James Arlington — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 23:52:03 -0400

I'm all over the place. ;)

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 31 at 2015 12:28 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 00:28:52 -0400

I am and use it as my Professional Page.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Aug 31 at 2015 12:09 PM

CSM David Heidke — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 12:09:34 -0400

It's valuable.

Response by SSG David Dickson made Aug 31 at 2015 2:08 PM

SSG David Dickson — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 14:08:56 -0400

I use it not only for the exposure, but as a point of contact for articles and insights into my career field. More of a reference for me than a job hunting resource. Glad you are able to use it so effectively.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 31 at 2015 3:28 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 15:28:43 -0400

I have been on it (with a mostly complete profile/resume) for about 1-2 years now...I expressly stated not ready for full time employment due to military obligation....and I have STILL received 2-3 job offers (retirement is priority now....if I was at 2-5 years in, might have considered!!). I turned them all down with tact so I do not burn the bridge. While I may not use it to end up finding the job, I am not against using it as a repository for my resume and looking at employment options.

Response by SGT Carissa Lara, RCS made Aug 31 at 2015 4:16 PM

SGT Carissa Lara, RCS — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:16:32 -0400

I'm on LinkedIn. I find it very useful for networking and job searches. Even though I'm not looking for a job at the moment I get recruiters sending me info all of the time. I often pass the info on to other soldiers who are approaching ETS/ Retirement.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Aug 31 at 2015 9:44 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 21:44:43 -0400

Honestly I figured once I went to horseshoe in I have not seen a farrier on there

Response by MSG Marcel Guaring made Aug 31 at 2015 11:07 PM

MSG Marcel Guaring — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 23:07:13 -0400

I have had several Company Recruiters contacted me for job opportunities and believe it or not they do look at your resume and qualifications. It also has a premium account (not free) that can provide more resources and exposure to potential companies that are hiring.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Sep 1 at 2015 3:59 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 15:59:42 -0400

I was one of the first to join in 2002. With 31 years in IT / Hi Tech (Data Center Engineering) it was a great tool for me. I was also the very first vendor to sell modems and other peripherals (Remember Beehive terminals?) to Mindspring. I knew Charles Brewer well and the team was so unique. No dress code (if Marta allowed you to board you could get into the basement offices of Mindspring) Charles had a pair of three-legged dobies and they were almost always there, on rare days only one. Employees were allowed to make their space their home and bring in their pets as well. It was kinda sorta sad when they did an equal share merger with Earthlink since the culture started to change. I remember my first tour, they only had 8 rack mounted modems. I sold those to them but they wouldn't pass our credit check. My company owner / President released the order for shipment and over the years he got to know Charles as well. Great memories.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 5:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 17:31:04 -0400

LinkedIn is a great location to business network. Some use it for other things, but overall its great.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 1 at 2015 6:21 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:21:07 -0400

I've been on LinkedIn for a couple of years although, to be honest, it never lived up to my expectations. I use social media as a vehicle for driving traffic to my website which is my storefront. Fortunately, my server logs provide very detailed information as to where users are being redirected from and LinkedIn has never been even so much as a blip on the radar. It seems that most users are there for the same thing and are more interested in selling themselves or their wares to you than in buying yours. Their feature of allowing users to recommend others for skills has never seemed worth the effort either. Finally, I belong to several discussion groups there and find that those who participate are not as mature and considerate as those on RallyPoint. Then again, that's just my opinion...

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 6:31 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:31:45 -0400

Sgt William Biggs, I'm on it and I don't know why you wouldn't at least give the site a chance. Just by providing detailed info in my profile and making connections, I've received at least 10 different job offers. Too bad because I'm nowhere near retirement from the Army.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 1 at 2015 6:44 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:44:20 -0400

Both are useful tools depending on many different factors which vary from person to person.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 1 at 2015 7:04 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:04:24 -0400

Yes. I'm on linked in....it's how I ended up here on Rally Point by someone on LI sending me an invite.

I have not really gotten any real benefits from being on Linked In...Well....I have had some Realtor's pass me business, but it's what I call BS business cause they already sent them somewhere else and was denied a loan so they want me to perform some sort of miracle. LOL

Response by Sgt John Henry made Sep 2 at 2015 10:30 AM

Sgt John Henry — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:30:05 -0400

It's a very useful network. But it's a very general network, it's not as specialized as RallyPoint.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Sep 2 at 2015 7:51 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 19:51:01 -0400

I have one, but I haven't really took that bull by the horns yet. I will, I just need to get the things on my plate taken care of, sometimes I can only handle so much at a time.

Response by MSG Daniel Hermany made Sep 2 at 2015 7:52 PM

MSG Daniel Hermany — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 19:52:10 -0400

Sent you a connection request!

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Sep 3 at 2015 5:27 AM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 05:27:39 -0400

I've been in LinkedIn long before I joined the military. I have initiated business deals through interactions on that site. Having connections, with those having connections, and so on...it can really build a network of potential partners. I have been recruited through LinkedIn more than I have been through Monster or any other job site because of whom I am connected to. I think it's a great tool to use, just be careful of what you post, as can be said of any website.

Response by SN Stacey Werkmeister made Sep 3 at 2015 11:45 AM

SN Stacey Werkmeister — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:45:50 -0400

I'm a non paid member, but I have found a few friends and family . Interesting information sometimes. I do not use Facebook ......

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 11:48 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:48:29 -0400

For professional contacts, RP to give back to the community and FB for personal stuff

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 3 at 2015 1:24 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:24:42 -0400

I have an account but I don't really use it that much. Jobs in my arena aren't posted there so I don't need to use it as much as someone in the private sector. I do occasionally use it when I need to find answers from outside my organization.