Have you created a profile on LinkedIn?

2016-07-02T01:11:26-04:00

A few years ago, a civilian friend was looking for work so I created a bare bones credible profile to endorse her. Last year, with the gift of a free subscription, I fleshed it out and started finding old friends not on FB or RP. This year, I didn't renew. Yet my phone has been ringing at least once a week plus I am getting frequent emails attempting to set up interviews. I look the companies up and either someone has gone to amazing lengths to create a virtual company needing healthcare workers or the calls and emails are legit. I'm at a standstill deciding just how much I want to work, keeping in mind I have health issues. I did a lot of volunteering and if you read my linked in profile, it looks a little different than my RP one. Neither include all of the jobs I have had, workaholic that I have been. I've been scaling back on the amount of time I volunteer to give myself some down time to smell the roses. (Photo bouquet designed by me.) So am I the only one or are others getting increased interest?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 2 at 2016 1:24 AM

2016-07-02T01:24:17-04:00

I sure have. I created one right before I retired from the Navy. I even took advantage of the free upgrade for military/veterans to LinkedIn premium.

Response by CW4 Scott Kjendlie made Jul 2 at 2016 1:29 AM

2016-07-02T01:29:41-04:00

yes I have. It is another good source of networking at our disposal to use

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 1:29 AM

2016-07-02T01:29:53-04:00

Maj Kim Patterson - Yes, I have one customized at - http://www.linkedin.com/in/armynurse
I use it mostly for finding old friends. But, there are also professional sub-groups that have introduced me to many new people including many potential assets and consulting needs.
Quite apart from being a useful search platform - it is also a good place for online resume.
Warmest Regards, Sandy

armynurse

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Jul 2 at 2016 1:43 AM

2016-07-02T01:43:19-04:00

LinkedIn is paramount in today's job searching and networking. I got my current job by networking on it. Every job I had applied to that asked for my LinkedIn url and many comoany websites will generate an application for you if you link your account. To me, the 29.99 a month for the job seeker account was worth it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 2:40 AM

2016-07-02T02:40:25-04:00

Maj Kim Patterson Ma'am, I have a profile on LinkedIn. LinkedIn and RallyPoint are both great websites.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 2 at 2016 2:54 AM

2016-07-02T02:54:13-04:00

Have a profile Maj Kim Patterson but have not really updated it or used it. My son uses his all the time professionally.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 3:06 AM

2016-07-02T03:06:05-04:00

I do have a Linkedin account and believe that it is a great way to present yourself professionaly to other people to network especially future employers rather than handing your facebook account.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 2 at 2016 9:21 AM

2016-07-02T09:21:42-04:00

I have an account on LinkedIn, Maj Kim Patterson. I'm in the financial services industry, and it's highly regulated. My profile is linked to my company, and my profile and everything I post must be pre-approved, endorsements can't be accepted and they can even look at message traffic. Therefore, I only occasionally post pre-approved informational pieces. Even with those restrictions, I still get multiple hits weekly and calls from head hunters as a result of having the profile.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jul 2 at 2016 10:41 AM

2016-07-02T10:41:39-04:00

Absolutely a requirement if you are in the civilian workforce. The HR department where I worked routinely used Linkedin to both find and screen candidates; if you weren't on Linkedin and had submitted a resume it probably wouldn't get forwarded to the hiring manager. If you are within a couple of years of leaving the military you should establish an account and enter your profile. Don't necessarily need the account level that you pay for though. The free level offered everything that I needed, but you need to look at your individual situation to decide. Even though I've officially changed my profile to retired I still get notifications of employers looking for people with a background like mine, so if you are looking for employment you must have the Linkedin computer matching employers and your background.

Response by Col Val Finnell, MD, MPH made Jul 3 at 2016 12:56 PM

2016-07-03T12:56:32-04:00

Yes, Maj Kim Patterson I use it all the time and have made many professional contacts. I got the free premium upgrade for military personnel.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Jul 4 at 2016 10:21 AM

2016-07-04T10:21:17-04:00

Linkedin is a great and when I was working it helped me greatly with finding others and also gave me some great insight to the job market. Now that "Every day is Sat" I only use the sight to keep in contact with some of my friends that are sill working.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 11 at 2016 9:49 AM

2016-07-11T09:49:30-04:00

I believe everyone should have a LinkedIn ready. It was through LinkedIn that a recruiter was able to place me in my current position. For awhile, I also had a gold membership, and due to that, my profile was very popular at the time (3-4 views daily).

It's always important to build up one's LinkedIn resume, as that is your work history in full view. Your paper resume is your highlights, whereas your LinkedIn is your everything.