Reply to: LinkedIn and agencies

[Fred Bloggs]

I set my contacts to private years ago, because I got tired of agents ransacking their way through my associates while keeping theirs private. Although I linked into an agent last week and the chap had all 300 of his connections wide open. What a nice chap.

Always surprises me somewhat that a lot of people do not realise you can hide your connections details. I did so years ago.

[HeadOfTesting]

You can make your connections private but as far as I know if someone has premium account with Linked they may still be able to access your full profile.

I have premium and can re-assure you that I can't see hidden connections.

[mobi]

You can make your connections private but as far as I know if someone has premium account with Linked they may still be able to access your full profile.

[darrenb]

There is no point in ever accepting a goon's LinkedIn request. If a goon genuinely thinks he can place you, and you ignore his LinkedIn request, he is still going to want to try and place you, so he can make his fat commission. And if he is not really after you, then obviously there is no point either.

[bobspud]

I set my contacts to private years ago, because I got tired of agents ransacking their way through my associates while keeping theirs private. Although I linked into an agent last week and the chap had all 300 of his connections wide open. What a nice chap.

[d000hg]

Then dont link to them until you get an interview through them! It really isnt hard.

You need to be thinking further in the future than the contract you're applying for now.

[BolshieBastard]

You can edit your account settings on linkedin so that only you can see your connections..

This.

[BolshieBastard]

I've noticed quite a few times of late that I receive a call from an agent to discuss a 'live' role and then sharply receive a linkedIn request. The agent never follows up on the 'live' role but I've realised (silly me) that once I accept their linkedIn request the agent then has access to everyone in my network including the person's contact name/position in the company, etc. Yesterday I spent a few moments removing those agents that were in my network.

Then dont link to them until you get an interview through them! It really isnt hard.

Do you give them 2 references as well when they say 'I've a role you may be interested in but first I need two names etc, etc'?

[d000hg]

I only add people if I can see a benefit of any kind. Agents generally don't fit that criteria.

[craig1]

I accept LinkedIn invites from those agents I've worked with and trust (there are some out there), but I keep my connections to myself (originally because I couldn't confirm if the groups I linked to could see them).

I have two... well... one and a half, the half is a former agent turned HR internal recruiter. The other one is a trustworthy guy who I've worked with for many years.

[kingcook]

No agents on my linkedin profile. There was a while ago, until i saw the error of my ways.

Imagine you're applying for some contract that says you need XYZ skill. Agent sees you have 10 connections with the same XYZ skill. You've just increased the competition for that gig

[bluedrop]

You can edit your account settings on linkedin so that only you can see your connections..

[cojak]

I accept LinkedIn invites from those agents I've worked with and trust (there are some out there), but I keep my connections to myself (originally because I couldn't confirm if the groups I linked to could see them).

[nomadd]

Just a new variant on the "I just need a couple of references" ploy.

Yep. I created a LinkedIn profile a couple of years ago and have never done a thing with it. First call of this new type of Agent Phising for me was last Friday; I promptly put the phone down. Mind you, he was insisting I was currently working for Carphone Warehouse as "That's what LinkedIn says..." Didn't seem interested in me pointing out that I've never worked for them in my life...

Agents, don't ya just love 'em.

[Keldin]

I've had a couple of calls from agents where the first thing they want to know is 'how many connections do you have on linkedin" rather than showing any interest in your skills and experience.

Just a new variant on the "I just need a couple of references" ploy.

K