Reply to: LinkedIn

[v8gaz]

Not specific enough I'm afraid. We need to know how many zeroes or it could have been a 2 day doc review job

Ok, in the last 4 years I have had breaks totaling 8 weeks and constant work at very good rates.

Happy?

[tractor]

...

Yep, all my work for the last 4 years has come from Linkedin. I think I may have to set up a training course, as none of you seem to have a clue how to use it.

Not specific enough I'm afraid. We need to know how many zeroes or it could have been a 2 day doc review job

[tractor]

....

Got one contract offer via LinkedIn so far. I know a couple of good contractor PMs who I've worked for before, and they're often on Linkedin networking and trying to market themselves. Just put an update on there when you're about to finish a gig or when you're on the bench. "will be available for new contracts in May", "currently available for work" or something like that.

One downside to doing this is when you get a prat of a permie PM or manager who hired you into current clientco, you happened to add him to Linkedin and he takes offence to you putting yourself on the market. Some of them like to think they own you and take it the wrong way. Doesn't bother me though, I just say they'll get first dibs if they get an extension in early

One way to deal with this is to remove links to those members that you don't want to see what you are posting currently. Then, when current role is finished, just add them back in. They aren't informed that you have removed the link unless they actually try to contact you via LI and they are unlikely to do that while you are working for them.

[CheeseSlice]

and what is with all of those people who upload profile pics that belong on facebook or an online dating site?
e.g. Guys wearing an open shirt in a dark room looking drunk.
Women looking all sleazy like the people who try to send you xxx links on MSN or twitter.

[v8gaz]

Yep, all my work for the last 4 years has come from Linkedin. I think I may have to set up a training course, as none of you seem to have a clue how to use it.

[norrahe]

Lots of offers via LinkedIn, unfortunately in the wrong country though have got contacted about gigs.

It is useful, use the groups post interesting articles, comment on other peoples posts and it will raise your profile.

You need to have plenty of contacts to make it worth your while.

Like everything you need to work at it.

With reference to what CheeseSlice said, the permies do take offence if you post that you are looking for your next gig. I pointed out I'm self employed and if clientco takes too long to sort out the extension then I have to advertised my availability.

Needless to say the paperwork gets sorted out pretty quickly when they see it

[CheeseSlice]

Got one contract offer via LinkedIn so far. I know a couple of good contractor PMs who I've worked for before, and they're often on Linkedin networking and trying to market themselves. Just put an update on there when you're about to finish a gig or when you're on the bench. "will be available for new contracts in May", "currently available for work" or something like that.

One downside to doing this is when you get a prat of a permie PM or manager who hired you into current clientco, you happened to add him to Linkedin and he takes offence to you putting yourself on the market. Some of them like to think they own you and take it the wrong way. Doesn't bother me though, I just say they'll get first dibs if they get an extension in early

[Diver]

I get Regular job offers through Linkedin. It may be because I'm multiskilled in a specialist field but I do know others that get regular offers through Linkedin and several who have picked up short term gigs as well as Permie rolls.
As russell said "Join the relevant LI groups and find out who is doing the work you are after"

[scooby]

I got a permie role, and turned down a contract role, both via LI.

It does work, but i would say i too get more perm than contract.

[aussielong]

In the past I have stuck my CV up on Jobserve/Jobsite etc and got agents whoring me out that way. I had the bare minimum on my Linked In but today I completed a full profile (based on my CV). Has anyone ever got work from LI?

Yes, i've got contracts through LI. Join the relevant LI groups and find out who is
doing the work you are after. Then contact them through the site to see if they are hiring. It's working for me anyway.

[darmstadt]

I've had a couple of small pieces of work from IBM off of it plus interviews with Google and Redhat. Do get a lot of sub-continent chappies wanting to be my 'friend' though. I've had to change my profile on both Linkedin and Xing as I had the word Websphere there and I just got hundreds of roles for that which I don't want to do...

[Bunk]

I've had lots of time wasters but a couple that would have resulted in work if I hadn't taken other contracts (from a previous client) that came along first. I wouldn't rely on it entirely but it's another useful option to have.

[jmo21]

I've had a number of agents contact me in the last year, all for permie work though.

If I'd have wanted permie, I guess I could have had about 4 or 5 interviews at least.

I also had one software dev manager (who I didn't know from adam) who was getting promoted looking for his replacement get directly in touch.

[Zoiderman]

I do get a lot of interest off there, but so far, only one role has ever materialised.

It's good for recommendations, from ex colleagues, bosses etc, which you can point anyone to.

I don't mind it, but wouldn't pay for it.

I get a lot of approaches from the US from it

[MarillionFan]

http://forums.contractoruk.com/searc...earchid=797289

Knock yourself out.