I will start by saying I loathe LinkedIn. I’m not on other social media, but LI embodies the worst aspects of all SM. I think the fakeness, the false enthusiasm, the fake optimism and the stupid business speak threaded throughout at horrible.  I almost always feel worse after I’ve looked at it than before I started.

I’d like to leave it.  But it almost seems like if you aren’t on there, it’s considered like you’re trying to hide or are somehow harming your brand. 

Anyone shut this lunacy off?  Any negative repercussions they didn’t expect?

I leave mine out and about in case someone in my professional life wants to find me, but I *never* open LinkedIn and browse the feed for the reasons you already outlined.

the narcissism on that platform is out of control

I have a profile but almost never check it. I did just login and one of my best friends from college is hiring for an attorney in West Virginia so I think I'm going to submit an application.

It’s the way to go to network and find a job. 

That’s it. It is a necessity these days in the professional world, but the feed is unbearable. 

It’s a double edged sword. I agree with your analysis, but also the only reason I have my current job is because of a recruiter that cold messaged me on there. Usually I ignore those, but I recognized the company and was like “worth a shot”, and here we are.

The people who think themselves geniuses there are really annoying to those of us who are.

Definitely not. I've made a lot of money through the use of LinkedIn. Find it very valuable but I don't scroll down to look at posts as much as others might.

It’s not really utilized in my line of work. I have one I think but I haven’t looked at it in at least a decade.

I guess I have to stay on there for recruiters and all.  One article I read is that if you have a profile, you  need to maintain it to keep you "brand" relevant.  That sentence alone is vomit-inducing.  

I can live with keeping it open but not reading the feed.  The posts I read are often from people I thought I liked, but are perhaps douchebags in reality.

You're way overthinking this.

Keep the following updated:

Headline

About

Experience

Skills

Open to (depending if looking or not)

The end. 

posted by Automatik

You're way overthinking this.

Keep the following updated:

Headline

About

Experience

Skills

Open to (depending if looking or not)

The end. 

Agreed. I use it to stay connected in the architecture, engineering, construction, economic development, and real estate world.

Some of it is pure marketing BS, but helps when trying to track down and stay connected with folks. It is all industry dependent. 

As part of my exit package from my previous job I got free 3 month access to LHH career counseling services. 

A lot of it was rather broad and stuff I already knew, but they focused heavily on LinkedIn and I picked up a few tips. They did mention posting helps “get you out there” but it’s not necessary when job searching. 

I know what you’re saying is true.  The millions of assholes humble bragging sometimes clouds my judgement.

“So honored to work with this awesome group of volunteers at the Boston homeless shelter while in town to complete my Harvard Fast Track Executive Workshop For Tomorrow’s International Leaders at the HBS.  Always great to take time for the truly important things.”  #grateful #ivyleaguenowbitches

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

I know what you’re saying is true.  The millions of assholes humble bragging sometimes clouds my judgement.

“So honored to work with this awesome group of volunteers at the Boston homeless shelter while in town to complete my Harvard Fast Track Executive Workshop For Tomorrow’s International Leaders at the HBS.  Always great to take time for the truly important things.”  #grateful #ivyleaguenowbitches

Other than connecting with potential candidates for jobs, I just like to watch the pet videos this one lady posts. I lol when I see someone repping the Democratic Party (I'm sure there is a Republican one too) bashing the "evil" Republicans. Only reason I know about this Dem post is that one of my connections posts anti-Dem posts on there. So basically, get on LinkedIn and Facebook/Twitter breaks out.

I have been able to get a few interviews and even secured a job through cold messaging people on Linkedin.  I think it's a great networking tool. If I am looking for a specific type of role or to work in a certain location, I amp up my use of Linkedin.  If I am not seeking a new job, I check linkedin maybe once or twice every two weeks.  A lot of people in my field post good articles and start conversations that I find intriguing.   I have had some people also cold message me, and I make sure to respond as a "pay it forward" for the other people who took the time to respond to me and help me. 

As mentioned, I do see a lot of narcissism, but that comes with the territory of all social media.   I just filter through that shit quickly to find when I am looking for.

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

I know what you’re saying is true.  The millions of assholes humble bragging sometimes clouds my judgement.

“So honored to work with this awesome group of volunteers at the Boston homeless shelter while in town to complete my Harvard Fast Track Executive Workshop For Tomorrow’s International Leaders at the HBS.  Always great to take time for the truly important things.”  #grateful #ivyleaguenowbitches

LOL

Yeah, LOL, the Harvard folks more than any other school are always promoting that brand.  It's almost like it's ingrained how to work that into nearly every conversation.

As for the feeds, I posted a while back how I got tired of people's politics creeping into my feed.  Solution is to mute or unfollow their feed.

I don't pay much attention to the network activity feeds.  But it's mostly just your typical marketing/pitch sort of stuff.  People use it for BD, so you're going to see plenty of marketing speak and self-promotion.  Agreed if you're not a BD person (or even if you are), that it's all pretty insufferable and over the top.  Nature of that business, though.

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

I know what you’re saying is true.  The millions of assholes humble bragging sometimes clouds my judgement.

“So honored to work with this awesome group of volunteers at the Boston homeless shelter while in town to complete my Harvard Fast Track Executive Workshop For Tomorrow’s International Leaders at the HBS.  Always great to take time for the truly important things.”  #grateful #ivyleaguenowbitches

This is 100% why I never look at any of the feed. 

I keep my profile updated, DM a colleague every now and then, and sometimes take a back and forth with a recruiter (how I landed where I have been for the last 5 plus years).

Just saw it was Justin's birthday on LinkedIn. Happy Birthday !

posted by BR1986FB

Just saw it was Justin's birthday on LinkedIn. Happy Birthday !

Thanks Boss

posted by BR1986FB

Just saw it was Justin's birthday on LinkedIn. Happy Birthday !

posted by BR1986FB

Just saw it was Justin's birthday on LinkedIn. Happy Birthday !

I don't think I even know anyone on here's real name, let alone have them on any social media.

My name is Justin.

posted by justincredible

My name is Justin.

Hi Justin.  My name is Doctor.