RallyPoint or LinkedIn?

2016-02-16T19:09:26-05:00

I've been using Rally Point for about a month now. I thrive on advice from superiors, both currently serving and retired. Also, hearing and learning from the career seeking experience of my peers is what motivates me more so to land an illustrious career, which has alluded me thus far. However, I've been hearing that many civilian employers discredit Rally Point as a viable social media tool for employment; instead focusing on LinkedIn. My question is, should I be putting a link to my Rally Point profile on my resume? Or, should I concentrate on creating a LinkedIn profile and putting that instead? Regardless, I will continue to utilize my Rally Point profile to seek out the advice of my fellow military members past and present!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 16 at 2016 7:10 PM

2016-02-16T19:10:59-05:00

Why not use both RallyPoint and LinkedIn SPC Private RallyPoint Member? RallyPoint is military service centric while Linkedin is much broader but includes many military and veterans.

Response by MSgt Lionel (Leo) Rondeau made Feb 16 at 2016 7:11 PM

2016-02-16T19:11:58-05:00

I would use both. There is no reason not to and you can find leads anywhere. I personally wouldn't discount the RallyPoint profile, but then I'm biased.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Feb 16 at 2016 7:20 PM

2016-02-16T19:20:12-05:00

Both!

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Feb 16 at 2016 7:23 PM

2016-02-16T19:23:59-05:00

I have both!

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Feb 16 at 2016 7:24 PM

2016-02-16T19:24:03-05:00

I use Rally Point to engage with my fellow veterans by helping with transition, or some experiences while I served. I use LinkedIn for career networking in my civilian life.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Feb 16 at 2016 7:24 PM

2016-02-16T19:24:36-05:00

I agree that you should use both RallyPoint and LinkedIn. The more exposure you get will never hurt! Just make sure that you keep both of your profiles consistent. I do Pre-employment Backgrounds everyday and I do check all of the available social media resources for consistency in every applicant's Profile. Just my two cents brother!

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made Feb 16 at 2016 7:26 PM

2016-02-16T19:26:04-05:00

Seek out every certification , DANTES, CLEP, and free college course you can before you utilize your GI Bill.

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Feb 16 at 2016 7:29 PM

2016-02-16T19:29:55-05:00

Both,

RP is new to me, but I am now using it more as a tool to learn more about the military. Linkedin I used prior to me joining the service.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Feb 16 at 2016 7:31 PM

2016-02-16T19:31:49-05:00

A link to your LinkedIn profile would probably be more helpful, but I do get more useful advice from RP.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 7:35 PM

2016-02-16T19:35:18-05:00

Both

Response by SrA Karla Kiser made Feb 16 at 2016 7:41 PM

2016-02-16T19:41:12-05:00

LinkedIn is more for an online resume and professional advancement in the civilian world, whereas RP is more military focused. It's helpful to have both but depending on your end goal with who you're target group is will answer you question.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 16 at 2016 7:45 PM

2016-02-16T19:45:26-05:00

I think it's fine to have both, but they don't overlap as much as you suggest. There is no way in heck that you can get the depth and breadth of military knowledge and advice anywhere else on the internet than RP. Just a plain fact. When military and vets have tough questions this is the best place to post them IMO...

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 16 at 2016 7:50 PM

2016-02-16T19:50:15-05:00

By the way, didn't LinkedIn lose like half of its value in the past few weeks? It sure has been a tough stretch here lately for tech stocks.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Feb 16 at 2016 7:52 PM

2016-02-16T19:52:05-05:00

Use both to network, but I would be careful about cross-linking one to the other as some employers may not be as vet-friendly as they may claim (which may be a red flag in and of itself, but that would be a different post!). Civilians don't understand the warrior ethos all that well.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 16 at 2016 8:00 PM

2016-02-16T20:00:49-05:00

Both. RP is good for military related things, but very few employers are on here. LinkedIn is the new standard for social media job hunting. I just did ACAP recently, and they actually made you set up a LinkedIn account.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 8:15 PM

2016-02-16T20:15:01-05:00

Use it? Sure. I would advise against a link to your Rally Point on your resume like you asked us. Private sector people don't know what it is. Lots of service members don't even know what RP is. Come to think of it, I don't know who uses links on resumes.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Feb 16 at 2016 8:51 PM

2016-02-16T20:51:45-05:00

Why not both?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 8:52 PM

2016-02-16T20:52:55-05:00

Both. Why send someone somewhere else? That would bother some and they may skip past you. Also, if they do not have an account how can they read what you have on here?

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Feb 16 at 2016 9:07 PM

2016-02-16T21:07:12-05:00

Thanks for asking this SPC Private RallyPoint Member. You bring up a question I think a lot of members wonder about. As many have already said, be sure you are using both networks. The kind of networking and transition support you'll get here from successful veterans is much different than networking only on LinkedIn.

I'll be the first to tell you that there are plenty of civilian recruiters that use RallyPoint. Just pulled a few quick numbers and we have over 10,000+ employers represented by veterans and and 5,000+ civilian recruiters on RallyPoint. You can bet these recruiters are here because they see real value in veterans. Looping in just a few active talent acquisition pros, as they might have some perspective as well. They collectively represent Northrop Grumman, Tesla Motors, Time Warner Cable, Military MOJO, Ford, United Health Group, Northwestern Mutual, Farmers Insurance, & Randstad Sourceright.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 9:23 PM

2016-02-16T21:23:57-05:00

I use both, and I mention my linkedin under civilian employment on my RP profile. As for resumes I wouldn't include a link to any social media unless asked. Chances are they will look you up anyway if they want to.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 9:25 PM

2016-02-16T21:25:38-05:00

I think RallyPoint is much more of a social network as opposed to the career and professional job searching network that LinkedIn can offer. They each have there place depending on what you are looking for.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Feb 16 at 2016 10:06 PM

2016-02-16T22:06:50-05:00

Use both. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is honed to perfection (or as close as any of us can get.) Same for RP. You never know who will look at them. Spend some time each day in groups (LinkedIn and RP) to answer questions where you are knowledgeable. Ask questions. Make connections. Remember "Givers Gain!"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 10:35 PM

2016-02-16T22:35:48-05:00

Both. Especially as Reservists. I throw in Google+ for my professional-use gmail account as well. Also, I try to keep everything consistent across them.

Response by Cathy Suarez made Feb 16 at 2016 10:36 PM

2016-02-16T22:36:23-05:00

Definitely use both. LinkedIn is more of a professional profile. RP feels like a more intimate/ friendly site. There is definitely an opportunity to network but there is also support, advice, questions, and ways to connect that go beyond a profile. When I connect to or engage with people on RP I may check out their LinkedIn profiles as well. LinkedIn has groups geared toward military but RP is an entire site dedicated to you.

Response by Lucas Buck made Feb 16 at 2016 10:53 PM

2016-02-16T22:53:12-05:00

Social Media isn't going anywhere, neither is Rally Point. Be smart and learn both. I do a lot in teaching how to recruit with social media and how people need to stop laughing at it and realizing its true value in basically all aspects of life. Pick up the book "Laughing at Wall Street." It's a great read and was just a little before the huge social media boom... but it tells stories of how to use what's popular to your financial advantage. Small example... Taylor Swift wears a certain brand of clothes to the Grammys... the next day that stock price explodes... I digress, but the point is social media networks are laughed at... you should laugh at those that are just behind the times. Rally Point will continue to expand, LinkedIn will as well... use both. Search Engine Optimization is enhanced by you having your name in multiple places. Having an extensive LinkedIn profile and an extensive Rally Point profile makes you that much more accessible to a Google search. As I teach... how many times have you ever clicked page 2 on a Google search? Never, right? If someone is searching INSURANCE or FARMERS INSURANCE or ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY IN LOS ANGELES, my goal is to be on page 1 of the search. Your goal should be the same. Build your brand! Be active on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Rally Point... EVERYTHING! Good things don't come to those who wait... go get it! Apply for the jobs you want, use Rally Point and LinkedIn to find the hiring manager and use today's crazy-connected world to your advantage! [login to see] ; always happy to help with resume/ civilian employment searches.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 10:56 PM

2016-02-16T22:56:21-05:00

SPC Matthew Riello, LinkedIn and RallyPoint are both great networking sites. I would complete your profile on both sites. Once you are a LinkedIn member, join the LinkedIn group, "Veteran Mentor Network." This group has many members that can help you with your job search, resume, etc.

From reading your RallyPoint profile, I see that you have an Associate's Degree, a HR Certification, and are working toward a Bachelor's Degree in HR Management. You are preparing for the future. Well done!

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Feb 16 at 2016 11:05 PM

2016-02-16T23:05:51-05:00

CPT Tyler Mitchell makes a good point. I just went through a resume writing class. No where in the instruction was a reference to putting a link on your resume. I believe both are a way of networking but not worthy of putting on a resume.Employers can screen any web based program to screen out prospective employees like Face Book Linked In and Rally Point. I have also not heard of Rally Point being a reference for employers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 11:42 PM

2016-02-16T23:42:45-05:00

Utilize LinkedIn for Civilian Professional Networking, which has resulted in over 6,000 Connections.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Feb 17 at 2016 7:49 AM

2016-02-17T07:49:48-05:00

SPC RIELLO. I was asked to join RallyPoint, my peers in and outside the Military uses LinkedIn including Senior Leader(s).

LinkedIn has discount on online degrees, course work, certification(s) etc.

I've been on there your 3 mores. If your skills are current, jobs will post into your inbox.

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Feb 17 at 2016 9:17 AM

2016-02-17T09:17:16-05:00

Not even a question. Rally Point, while interesting and at times useful it is in no way close to being a professional source, it's still at the social media stage. Linkedin has it's problems, however it is much closer to being a site for serious professional business contacts.

That being said, if you are looking for employment both sites have some use but actual networking through personal contacts and introductions beats both sites hands down.

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Feb 17 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-02-17T09:29:43-05:00

So after reading through this particular thread, one trend seems to be emerging ... a cloistered 'us against them' mentality. Here is small clue - if you want to be successful in civilian employment learn to adapt. Companies are not going to 'adapt to you' it is the other way around. If you think the road to employment and opportunity is solely through Rally Point, or that Rally Point is better than Linkedin, you are headed for failure.

Use all the resources at your disposal to network and develop contacts, however be professional. Everything you post on social media can eventually turn up. Taking an 'us against them' stance on Rally Point can eventually bite you.

Nothing wrong with being proud of your service and accomplishments, but the reality is, if you want a company to hire you - show your value and ability to adapt to their culture. While your military experience can get you a foot in the door, get your resume noticed, and in certain situations give you hiring preference, at the end of the day it comes down to 'what value do you add'

Based on what I have seen on Rally Point, the vitriol and whining about 'civilians' does little good. Some of the comments on this site are down right sophomoric, and distract from professionalism. In fact many posts made on this site would be removed on Linkedin and other professional forums.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 17 at 2016 9:46 AM

2016-02-17T09:46:26-05:00

I think there is great exposure on both sites. I would say that LinkedIn to me is more on the professional level of seeking employment as RallyPoint is a way for current service members and veterans to share information that we all can relate to.

Response by SFC Chad Sowash made Feb 17 at 2016 10:06 AM

2016-02-17T10:06:15-05:00

Hey SPC Private RallyPoint Member you really have to distinguish and understand the difference between platforms and what they're used to achieve. LinkedIn is really just the newest version of what Monster was "back in the day" - so yes take some time polish your profile or errr resume on LinkedIn and connect (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadsowash).

RallyPoint on the other hand is a REAL community - it's where you will find real answers from individuals like me who have a foot in both worlds. In many cases I've seen and heard Talent Acquisition professionals providing very bad - yet well-intended - advice to transitioning military and veterans alike. On RallyPoint we understand your background because - in some cases - we've humped in your boots. RallyPoint is also where committed hiring companies come to engage and attract great military / veteran talent like yourself.

So in the end, don't abandon either platform. Just understand how to best leverage them both. I hope this helps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 10:35 AM

2016-02-17T10:35:09-05:00

Use both. Sometimes it’s difficult to make the connection with both. One of my pet peeves is the military doesn’t do enough to identify talents and knowledge developed in the military and how they transition to civilian life. Example: Something as simple as a name: PLDC vs. WLC. We learn a lot of good leadership in this school that transitions to civilian life well… only when a civilian employer hears “Warrior Leader Course” they hear a course that makes people into killers; if we explain to them the knowledge we obtain in these schools in our resume, sometimes they can appreciate it, unfortunately a lot of employers just can’t get past the name “WLC”. The name sounds cool when we want the name of a warrior, but not when we don’t want to be labeled a crazy veteran. I’ve tried to educate some personnel managers about this, I haven’t been too successful.

Back to Rally Point vs. LinkedIn: Develop a good resume on LinkedIn that explains in civilian language the value of the knowledge you obtained in the Army. Don’t rely on headhunters too much who will contact you on LinkedIn; they may or may not have the ability to translate you military talents into civilian traits.

On the opposite side: the military, in my opinion, usually does a poor job of identifying marketable skills developed in the Army that can be used in civilian life; thus we get school names like WLC. Your job is to educate yourself in these marketable skills and be able to convey them in a way the employer can understand. It’s a tall but important task, and it’s hard work. Nothing comes easy. Good luck.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 10:45 AM

2016-02-17T10:45:59-05:00

Use both. Seriously.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 11:08 AM

2016-02-17T11:08:29-05:00

You can never have too many sources of networking. I have a LinkedIn profile but rarely go on it. I update it from time to time when there are major changes but that is it. I personally know a lot of Soldiers who have LinkedIn but don't know any that have gotten a job from it. Rally point is more useful to acquire knowledge and advice while you are still serving to assist in your career and possibly transitioning to civilian life. I don't think I would put it on my resume. I don't see how it would be an advantage but I'm curious to hear others thoughts too on the matter.

Response by SFC Michael Bush made Feb 17 at 2016 11:53 AM

2016-02-17T11:53:29-05:00

I find both resources quite valuable. Rally Point will network with similarly-minded military brothers and sisters while LinkedIn will allow you to branch out among the civilian marketplace. Some redundancies will further expand your network. I believe the systems are complementary.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Feb 17 at 2016 12:13 PM

2016-02-17T12:13:55-05:00

I belong to both. RP is much more than a social network. RP has a higher value to me because of the folks on it. I feel a connection to others and the advice is more genuine to me.

LinkedIn has its value, but hasn't worked out for me yet. I am not giving up on it though.

I suggest that you use both. It cant hurt to spread yourself out and increase your chance of success.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 1:16 PM

2016-02-17T13:16:49-05:00

rally point and facebook! what the heck is linkedin?

Response by COL Sid McManus made Feb 17 at 2016 3:10 PM

2016-02-17T15:10:04-05:00

Spc Riello, I recommend both. Rally Point allows you to start in an environment where a common language is spoken by people who have similar experience. In both, keep your information up to date. Good luck!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Feb 17 at 2016 3:33 PM

2016-02-17T15:33:29-05:00

Both

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 17 at 2016 9:51 PM

2016-02-17T21:51:31-05:00

That Depends SPC Private RallyPoint Member. I could be wrong, but LinkedIn is a professional www site for employment purposes, whereas (I could be wrong) Rally Point seems like a Face Book or social media site just for veterans. But, I could be missing the employment aspects of RP.

Response by SPC Matthew Birkinbine made Feb 17 at 2016 10:05 PM

2016-02-17T22:05:44-05:00

I use RP to actively participate and contribute to group discussions, in hopes to make the Army better; and I use LinkedIn as my professional resume. I keep in touch with professionals in my organizations on both engines, but I do my job search and I use my LI resume on multiple job pages. I also follow the Ordnance Ctr & Schools, who recently shared that the regimental chief is on FB and someone else (either CSM or CW5) is on Twitter.

Response by Cpl Matthew Wall made Feb 17 at 2016 10:24 PM

2016-02-17T22:24:18-05:00

I have LinkedIN as well. You should have your resume in multiple locations and not just one.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 9:19 AM

2016-02-18T09:19:52-05:00

Have both and utilize both for whatever you can on both sides. Ya Network game can never be strong.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 1:50 PM

2016-02-18T13:50:55-05:00

What is your end goal? Who is your target audience. You tailor your Resume to fit the job you are applying for am I correct? If not then you need to get to work. If your are applying for a field in the civilian sector your LinkedIn Profile will be more valuable and putting a Rally Point Link will probably just be ignored and it can take up space for the necessary content you want on your Resume. If you are putting in a Resume for a Federal or Private Sector job then both links would be suitable to catch a broader audience, but at the end of the day they both have the same information that your resume will have. Both Profiles would be great, but to be honest LinkedIn is more widely used in the Civilian sector if that is the workforce you want to join and recruiters from the civilian industry do "keyword" searches and spearhead candidates for eligible employment opportunities.

Response by SN Timothy Ehrenhaft made Feb 19 at 2016 12:15 AM

2016-02-19T00:15:22-05:00

I started using LinkedIn for professional networking with a goal of career advancement. ! quit using LinkedIn when I started getting praises for jobs I've never had and skills I don't possess, from people I've never met or worked with. No action was taken when I reported the offenders. The lack of integrity disgusts me. There are too many registered users on LinkedIn for my experience to be a fluke.

Response by SFC Donald Neal made Feb 19 at 2016 2:25 AM

2016-02-19T02:25:10-05:00

Both, just like a lot of other folks have recommended. I'm on there as the same name on Rally Point, once you create your profile, please send a connection request. I found I'm using both a lot more lately as my job takes me into the realm of finding the right people for work. There are veteran and industry groups in LinkedIn that I also participate in; plus it doesn't hurt to learn the lingo and thinking of the civilian side of business.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 6:25 AM

2016-02-19T06:25:51-05:00

Look, there's learning with a Clearance and there's learning w/out one? Fuck those civies they're no one you want to work for since they've only ever learned from folks without a Clearance! I laugh every time I see the Periodoc Table , at my college, on the all with such few numbers. Most importantly, most of them do not know the difference between 'Merica Minor and 'Merica Major...NTM that their country's a corporation not a Republic and they have no clue (yet, Go Dunford)!

Response by Vikki Nicometo made Feb 19 at 2016 9:59 AM

2016-02-19T09:59:04-05:00

From a former recruiter's perspective: yes, use both. But here is the perceived limitation with RP- on LI you have every kind of candidate with every kind of background. If your company will only pay for ONE recruiter license, you choose LI because you have a wider pool of candidates.
RP is limiting that it doesn't let civilians request connections with military personnel unless they pay for a premium service. Again, with limited resources - you pay for LI. So you can't get as much from RP as you'd like.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 8:03 PM

2016-02-19T20:03:43-05:00

Both, civilian recruiters on LINKEDIN and experience from those who did it on RalleyPoint

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 4:29 PM

2016-02-22T16:29:37-05:00

Both

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 10:53 PM

2016-02-22T22:53:49-05:00

Your LinkedIn account should be geared toward your civilian career and networking with professionals within your chosen profession. Many companies are now recruiting applicants based on their LinkedIn profiles.

Response by CW4 Scott Kjendlie made Jul 2 at 2016 1:51 AM

2016-07-02T01:51:40-04:00

There is no harm in having both at your disposal. They can be great tools for searching for connections or employment opportunities. Civilian employers may discredit it as they may not have military experience to be able to get connected to Rally Point. I would say do both, and depending on the job search, tailor your resume to fit that job description.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Dec 20 at 2016 7:44 PM

2016-12-20T19:44:19-05:00

If you are new to LinkedIn, or RP, try responding to new connections with a message like this:

Dear ______,
Thank you for letting me be one of your connections. Please know that I appreciate it. I hope it will be mutually beneficial.
Please take a moment and let me know what I may do to support you.
Best regards,
Your Name