Reply to: How to refer to contract positions on LinkedIn

[SussexSeagull]

I usually wait to get my feet under the table then update LinkedIn with the new role. Never had any complaints.

[PerfectStorm]

Has anyone actually told you there's an issue with this, or are you imagining it?

It's your LinkedIn page - put it on there anyway.

[TheDude]

I link the company but use the title Contract scala developer at <insert name of company here>

[northernladuk]

It depends on what you are looking for next.

If you are a contractor put XYZ Company (Contract) in the job title

If you want to go permanent put XYZ Company (Maternity Cover)

I'm at a loss as to why you are asking the question because it's quite simple.

I'd have to agree with Eek. This is basic linkedin usage and not something unique to contracting. You have to market yourself on there, it's your job as a contractor, so need to put what you think best markets your skills and situation.

[eek]

It depends on what you are looking for next.

If you are a contractor put XYZ Company (Contract) in the job title

If you want to go permanent put XYZ Company (Maternity Cover)

I'm at a loss as to why you are asking the question because it's quite simple.

[itsreallyunique]

Thread is old but here goes ?…

same query but how best is it to reflect a 12 month FTC role covering for someone who is still in the role but on maternity leave?

I would like to list it so that I can start to line up new opportunities sourced via LinkedIn when the FTC ends @ month 12.

thanks..

[perplexed]

No it isn't. I do gigs as an interim IT Director or similar. Those roles aren't classed as contractors, interim management is a different kettle of fish altogether and many of those roles are handled via specialist interim recruiting firms and never advertised.

Thanks for the clarification. I learn something new every day... I always viewed the word "interim" as "temporary". I suppose you must have a fine tightrope to walk though, given the work would theoretically be identical to that of a perm IT Director, for example?

[pacontracting]

Well its worked for me over the last 8 years or so. Recruiters taking me out for drunks, creating the relationship and lining me up for next gig.
CEOs, Sales teams, Managers etc adding me before Ive met them face to face.

I do the same as you. I don't ever put any details of what I've done, though, at any client, on LinkedIn - if anyone wants that information, they can get in touch for details. Essentially, position and name of (end) client.

I usually find people, like the programme manager and hiring manager, want to connect early on to exchange messages etc before being onboarded and again, this works well.

[edison]

It's not really that complicated - use personal account on own laptop, work account on company laptop. Friends, contacts know they won't get hassled by agents from me.

Putting "interim" is kinda pointless, you're a contractor not an "interim", which invokes temp perm

No it isn't. I do gigs as an interim IT Director or similar. Those roles aren't classed as contractors, interim management is a different kettle of fish altogether and many of those roles are handled via specialist interim recruiting firms and never advertised.

[perplexed]

That seems a bit complicated perhaps. I have one entry for my Ltd company that says 'Director' and lists my clients in a generic way e.g. major UK bank. I also list the individual assignments as separate entries with the word (interim) after each title.

It doesn't really matter a lot IMO, you can just use what a lot of my IT leadership connections do and just say 'confidential assignment in X sector' and leave it at that.

It's not really that complicated - use personal account on own laptop, work account on company laptop. Friends, contacts know they won't get hassled by agents from me.

Putting "interim" is kinda pointless, you're a contractor not an "interim", which invokes temp perm

[JoJoGabor]

Except they aren't.
They are fishing for information and will happily try to get their foot in the door by either saying that you recommended they harass some poor manager you mentioned by name, or worse still, by asking said manager for a reference for you when they know you are near the end of a contract, implying that you are working with them for a role elsewhere.

If you want to get to know people in the organisation, talk to them. If you want to "network" and be involved with people who are on the project with you, then try doing so by engaging with them in person, not on Facebook For Business.

Well its worked for me over the last 8 years or so. Recruiters taking me out for drunks, creating the relationship and lining me up for next gig.
CEOs, Sales teams, Managers etc adding me before Ive met them face to face.

[WTFH]

... Often you'll also get recruiters contacting you to try and poach you,...

Except they aren't.
They are fishing for information and will happily try to get their foot in the door by either saying that you recommended they harass some poor manager you mentioned by name, or worse still, by asking said manager for a reference for you when they know you are near the end of a contract, implying that you are working with them for a role elsewhere.

If you want to get to know people in the organisation, talk to them. If you want to "network" and be involved with people who are on the project with you, then try doing so by engaging with them in person, not on Facebook For Business.

[JoJoGabor]

My first piece of advice - don't update your LinkedIn profile until either after you have finished a gig, or towards the end of it.
You're not looking for work right now, it doesn't need to be updated (unless it currently says "actively seeking new roles")

Updating it with your latest job that you've just started (even if you don't name the client/employer) is like videoing yourself breaking the speed limit then boasting about it as you send it to the police.
It might boost your ego to share right now, it will give agents a field day to go chasing after you.

When you get round to updating it, hopefully some of your work will have been successful, so you can talk about "Successfully delivered a xxx project which has improved the yyy (efficiency/cost savings/growth/new...) of a global player in the zzz industry."

I disagree with this. The idea of LinkedIn isn't just recruitment. I always update my profile with my current role so that I can network with other people at client site, make contacts relevant to the project I am doing and show my current work. Often you'll also get recruiters contacting you to try and poach you, but its great to forge that relationship which you can use when the current gig has finished and show you are have very recent experience just in the skills they are looking for

[edison]

I'd say run two LinkedIn accounts - one personal, where you can connect with family, friends, staff, contractors etc.
One for ltd company, containing pimps only.

That seems a bit complicated perhaps. I have one entry for my Ltd company that says 'Director' and lists my clients in a generic way e.g. major UK bank. I also list the individual assignments as separate entries with the word (interim) after each title.

It doesn't really matter a lot IMO, you can just use what a lot of my IT leadership connections do and just say 'confidential assignment in X sector' and leave it at that.

[perplexed]

^^^ This + do not connect with any of the clientco's staff and contractors until you left. In case you are advertising yourself as available because the contract sucks.

I'd say run two LinkedIn accounts - one personal, where you can connect with family, friends, staff, contractors etc.
One for ltd company, containing pimps only.