Reply to: Linkedin - Contracts

[Murphster121]

Thanks for all of the replies. I wont bother with the upgraded linkedIn account then! I will also alter my privacy settings to exclude project details (Good Point!)

Thanks again.

[eek]

Current contract came from changing the headline on my linkedin profile. Within 2 hours an agent I didn't know had phoned me, within a day the contract was mine.

Shame security clearance has taken ages due to end client co being useless.

[Bluenose]

I stopped using linkedin to look for work when recruitment agents started to use it like facebook.

I don't need inspiration or insight, I need a contract.

[SarahL2012]

I tried the premium account earlier this year - waste of time. I have actually used the 'jobs' page a few times to apply for contract / interim roles. For a couple of them the company had their own in house recruitment team who put the job out through linked in rather than using an agency. I can't quite grasp what / when / why certain jobs are advertised on there though - sometimes I see ones that are specifically finance and other times I get some really odd ones (petrochemical engineer recently ). A few times when I was hunting down a new contract earlier this year I'd see what looked like a new role on there, click through and find it had been up for weeks but hadn't appeared on my jobs board before.

My current contract sort of came through linkedin - an agent contacted me about a perm role after seeing my details on there, then when I said I wasn't interested passed me over to his colleague on the interim side who was looking for someone with my skills set.

I also accept invites from agents - but only if I think they can genuinely help me. Every now & then I have a cull and take off the ones who haven't been in touch for ages or aren't doing the contract market any longer. If you can access their contact list it is quite handy for tracking down finance directors of their clients and approaching them directly too........ (not had any work that way yet, but will keep trying)

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Must admit I haven't needed LinkedIn yet but I can see it could be a useful tool. Don't use it as a substitute for some good old fashioned networking by phone or mail though. Network with good people and then keep in touch with a call or mail every so often.

I have found linkedIn a revelation. Got my next contract through a message on LinkedIn.

[northernladuk]

Must admit I haven't needed LinkedIn yet but I can see it could be a useful tool. Don't use it as a substitute for some good old fashioned networking by phone or mail though. Network with good people and then keep in touch with a call or mail every so often.

[pkm]

I've got the basic account but completely public with my photo and history of roles. But I take care not to reveal too much about the projects (client confidentiality). I do sell myself though. I get agents contacting me once in a while. But it is worth building up your list of connections - I have about 75-80 connections so far from my clients.

[Murphster121]

LinkedIn Visibility

Hi all, just reading through this thread and seeking some opinions on the same topic.

1) Do you have your LinkedIn profile completely public? (i.e. make it as easy as possible for a recruiter / lead)
2) Anyone pay to 'upgrade' their account? Is it worth it?

E.G: Job Seeker Basic Account - Rise to the top as a Featured Applicant; See how you stack up to other applicants;

Would appreciate your opinions / experiences. Many thanks.

[d000hg]

I had one contract via LinkedIn when someone I worked with started a company and that was the only way they could find to contact me.

[speling bee]

I get a fair amount of work from LinkedIn and the rate is generally higher than traditionally advertised contract work.

[MojoDog]

I wanted to know if you guys use linked in heavily to land contracts. Or does the good old fashioned way of spraying CV to agencies works he best?

Linked in does not even offer a filter for "contracts". Other than building up a network of connections, how do you best leverage linked in to land contracts?

I always thought of linked in for permanent jobs. I have a decent profile but I'm no expert in looking for contracts via linked in. I do get recruiters wanting to add them to my connections.

There's a company not far from where I live that occasionally bring in contractors. Last Friday, whilst in a don't ask, don't get frame of mind I invited a PM from this company to connect with me. 10 minutes later he accepted and then messaged me to ask about my availability because he has a couple of contract roles coming up.

Nothing definite, but a lot more than if I'd not bothered

[lucyclarityumbrella]

I have connected with a few recruiters, some of them have posted requirements for a specific contract role and a couple have contacted me directly; but I've never seen any blanket advertising of contract opportunities. But then again, I've never thought of using Linkedin to search for any, over and above stating that I'm looking for a new contract.

We have a load of contacts with both agencies and end clients - if there is no filter available what if we set up a Contracts Job Search Group and see if we can get them on board to post - then you only have one place to look????? worth a try?

[flipFlop]

I wanted to know if you guys use linked in heavily to land contracts. ...

Linked in does not even offer a filter for "contracts". ...

LinkedIn is nauseating, but – regrettably - you need to be on it just in case something should turn up there.

However, I've never got even the faintest hint of a contract through LinkedIn.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I have managed to get a few interviews through LinkedIn by spamming agents..... What goes around comes around

[ronanm]

I've had two gigs direct from LI in past year or so; one for 6 weeks and one for couple of days.

Just changed my paid account to job seeker so will so how that pans out but it is quiet so far.

qh

I work in BA roles in financial services and have managed to link into a couple of direct recruiters (employed directly onsite or on secondary basis via an outsourced agency like Resource Soultions) as they have seen my cv elsewhere and contacted me. Then, when they added me, I can see who the direct recruiters are at other banks and I just send an invite to them directly. Sometimes they add me, sometimes they don't. As such, I am linkedin to about 7/8 direct recuiters at various Banks who invariably "Like" job postings their colleagues post. It was through one of these indirect ("liked") adverts I got my current role.

Yesterday, I was contacted by a recruiter on my mobile, then via hotmail, then at my "work" phone within the space of 5 minutes! I told her I wasn't interested and when she asked if I knew anyone who might be and replied no she sent a linkedin invite subsequent to the call. Needless to say I like keeping my contacts to myself so declined.