linked-in requests from agencies

[Karpov]

I agree.
If they don't check out your profile before they send the link request, then they're probably sat in a bog cubicle surfing for contacts and couldn't care less about your skills.
One top tip I heard; update your profile every now and then because some agents with LinkedIn recruiter filter for active LinkedIn people. If you're active on LinkedIn, then it's likely your profile is up to date.

Good advice. I used to get more feedback but haven't updated my account for some time.

[Contreras]

One top tip I heard; update your profile every now and then because some agents with LinkedIn recruiter filter for active LinkedIn people. If you're active on LinkedIn, then it's likely your profile is up to date.

I have a hunch that simply logging on regularly will move you up in the order of search results and the "people you may know" page.

[darrylmg]

I've done both, I decided to have a go for 6 months and start linking with them. The problem was my linkedin feed was just getting spammed with facebook rubbish, so I started to block thier updates. I also noticed that they don't really check your profile before ringing you up, unless you get a new role then they all call. Seemed pointless and a waste of time, so I removed them all.

Still getting five or so calls a day. It's made no difference at all.

The value in Linkedin is about networking with people you actually know and thier contacts. Linking with unknown Pimps is a complete waste of time.

I agree.
If they don't check out your profile before they send the link request, then they're probably sat in a bog cubicle surfing for contacts and couldn't care less about your skills.
One top tip I heard; update your profile every now and then because some agents with LinkedIn recruiter filter for active LinkedIn people. If you're active on LinkedIn, then it's likely your profile is up to date.

[jmo21]

I accept anyone who wants to connect, but lock down my account so they can't see my connections, yes most might be rubbish contacts themselves, but 2nd and 3rd Degree contacts could be useful

This is the correct answer.

Best of both worlds, they can't just look at your contacts and you *might* find a lead for a contract through them, whether directly (they approach you, or you send them your CV) or indirectly (they hit like on another agents job posting and it shows in your newsfeed,

Costs me nothing, and I don't use LI for anything other than jobs so they aren't getting in the way.

[barrydidit]

I accept most of them unless the person only has a letter for a surname e.g. Nicole R.

Good rule to have. They're just contacts who may or may not provide you with work in the future. I don't see any harm in it.

But I do ditch them once they've done their year in recruitment and wander off back to a shop job

[Purple]

I used to work in recruitment about 10 years ago (don't hate me, it was RPO not agency) when LinkedIn was fairly new and I used it to find candidates for roles so some of the requests may be genuine. I accept most of them unless the person only has a letter for a surname e.g. Nicole R.
Plus, the more connections the better, it makes me look popular!

[SpontaneousOrder]

I accept them when they've got in touch about a role. occasionally otherwise. I get a lot of leads through linked in, and little bro who's been in the industry (recruiting) for 12 years or so reckons he used to do about 40% of all his business through linked in.

2 of the hot chick agents that i actually met for a coffee (not at the same time ) turned out to be actual hotties.

[MattZani]

That's because their previous roles are usually 'paper round' and 'student uni bar'.

Haha yes. Sales assistants at h&m and baristas at startbucks for some years and there you have everything you need to be a successful pimp

[SimonMac]

I accept anyone who wants to connect, but lock down my account so they can't see my connections, yes most might be rubbish contacts themselves, but 2nd and 3rd Degree contacts could be useful

[RasputinDude]

Oh I don't accept them. I only have two pimps on my contact list and they are both people that I have done business with and found them both to be worthwhile, professional and have a large degree of integrity.

[barrydidit]

I noticed some agencies force their staff to remove any mention of any former jobs they had, so only their current role is in their profile.

That's because their previous roles are usually 'paper round' and 'student uni bar'.

I don't mind them tbh - they post roles and 'like' each others stuff so you get a view on what is out there. It's what it's there for.

[Eirikur]

I get a lot of contact requests from pimps on LinkedIn. Almost all of them have photos of attractive young women on their profile. Am I being really cynical to think that this is done as an attempt to get the middle-aged geeky men to accept the request?

I decline most of these. I only accept agents that at least have 10 years of experience, not a young girl who just left uni and thinks she's some cool city recruitment girl.
Most agents get deleted again after I find a new contract

I noticed some agencies force their staff to remove any mention of any former jobs they had, so only their current role is in their profile.

[RasputinDude]

I get a lot of contact requests from pimps on LinkedIn. Almost all of them have photos of attractive young women on their profile. Am I being really cynical to think that this is done as an attempt to get the middle-aged geeky men to accept the request?