Reply to: State of the Market

[SussexSeagull]

Recruitment agents certainly must be quite bored and worried right now. The last few I spoke to all said 2024 was their worst year ever. I was kind enough to withold my opinions on how 2025 is going to work out, I even hope I am wrong!

My early impressions are it is more of the same, personally including two consultancies talking to me about opportunities that evaporated. Thinking about it I can’t tell you the last time I talked to an agent as opposed to a consultancy looking for some external help.

[SussexSeagull]

Has anyone bothered to get verified? You need to upload your passport which am not keen to do as I was a victim of identity fraud many moons ago so am super careful now....

So much rubbish on LI nowadays it used to be a serious website but it has become like FB

I did but only because it was quite easy to do via the app on the phone.

Not sure it has actually made much difference.

[willendure]

Recruitment agents certainly must be quite bored and worried right now. The last few I spoke to all said 2024 was their worst year ever. I was kind enough to withold my opinions on how 2025 is going to work out, I even hope I am wrong!

[willendure]

It's a tried and tested rule for over 20 years that any agents asking for references before the interview

1) Doesn't have any actual contracts
2) only wants your references to see if they are looking for contractors.

Oh ok, in that case it does make sense.

[eek]

You don't give references? I think I can see what your problem in finding a contract might be... (although usually references are given at or around contract acceptance/finalization time).

It's a tried and tested rule for over 20 years that any agents asking for references before the interview

1) Doesn't have any actual contracts
2) only wants your references to see if they are looking for contractors.

[willendure]

I did have an agent asking for 2 references yesterday. I did my usual which was to put the phone down, always annoying and such a waste of time sometimes. Not that I am very busy these days

You don't give references? I think I can see what your problem in finding a contract might be... (although usually references are given at or around contract acceptance/finalization time).

[northernladuk]

Has anyone bothered to get verified? You need to upload your passport which am not keen to do as I was a victim of identity fraud many moons ago so am super careful now....

So much rubbish on LI nowadays it used to be a serious website but it has become like FB

Christ no. How many times has LI had a data breach? They were part of the Mother Of All Breaches early 2024 and I believe another serious on in Oct 24 let alone all the historical ones and they wan't your passport? Not on your nellie.

[avonleigh]

Only thing I do on linkedin is update my status when contract is coming to an end. Don't look at any posts whatsoever. As people have said it's a joke of a site nowadays. Either people posting political rubbish, non work related stuff or stupid polls. Would delete it but still get the odd message on there about work.

[Cookielove]

Has anyone bothered to get verified? You need to upload your passport which am not keen to do as I was a victim of identity fraud many moons ago so am super careful now....

So much rubbish on LI nowadays it used to be a serious website but it has become like FB

[SussexSeagull]

Incidentally, I went through the process to cancel my subscription and at the end got offered two months half priced.

Not sure if it will work for everyone but you might be able to save yourself £20.

[SussexSeagull]

Cannot wait for the day when I can retire from contracting and delete my LinkedIn account. It's been good for a few contracts but the 5hit that's posted on there these days.

I do get consultancies and agents get in touch with me through it, which is about the only thing that keeps me on there. LinkedIn jobs briefly threatened to be interesting but it's just another JobServe now.

Some of the postings are unbearable (although there is some good stuff in amongst it). It's launched this whole pseudo-science of people trying to influence the algorithm while most of us just want to connect with colleagues (past and present) and people who might help us find work.

[sadkingbilly]

Cannot wait for the day when I can retire from contracting and delete my LinkedIn account. It's been good for a few contracts but the 5hit that's posted on there these days.

I did. still get calls though

[oliverson]

The stupidity of some people on line means nothing surprises me anymore but that does sound a bit far fetched.

That said, I am going to cancel my LinkedIn Premium as I don't see what advantage I am getting with it on top of just being a basic member. The algorithm has been setup so that posts where people complaining they are going to have to shoot their dog in a fortnight if they don't get a job, overly political posts and people just being controversial get prioritised over people like me just looking for work.

If LinkedIn want people to pay they need to offer something in return as opposed to having no control over your timeline.

Cannot wait for the day when I can retire from contracting and delete my LinkedIn account. It's been good for a few contracts but the 5hit that's posted on there these days.

[SussexSeagull]

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relatio...-broken?page=1

Scammers on LinkedIn. Does not suprise me TBF

The stupidity of some people on line means nothing surprises me anymore but that does sound a bit far fetched.

That said, I am going to cancel my LinkedIn Premium as I don't see what advantage I am getting with it on top of just being a basic member. The algorithm has been setup so that posts where people complaining they are going to have to shoot their dog in a fortnight if they don't get a job, overly political posts and people just being controversial get prioritised over people like me just looking for work.

If LinkedIn want people to pay they need to offer something in return as opposed to having no control over your timeline.

[SchumiStars]

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relatio...-broken?page=1

Scammers on LinkedIn. Does not suprise me TBF