The Most Important Part of a LinkedIn Profile for an Employer or Recruiter

Of late I have come to the realization that, as a recruiter, besides a person’s location and industry, the most important part of a potential candidate’s LinkedIn profile is the “View Recent Activity” button.

Why?

Because it shows how a person acts publicly in what is supposed to be a professional network.

One woman today posted a photo of her new born baby.  The post was apologetic in tone.  “Sorry I have not been updating you recently but I have a good reason…”  Does she really think her LinkedIn network noticed her absence?  And why is she sharing details of her personal life, literally, with the world?  Would she bring her personal life into the workplace as well?  Would it just be about births (which is understandable) or will her co-workers have to hear complaints, comments, criticisms and praise about her family day in and day out?

Now the birth of a child is a joyous occasion.  The death of a child, parent or colleague is not.  It’s sad and we can all feel sympathy but the same questions I posed above also hold true when publicly announcing a tragedy.  These announcement, both happy and sad, are perfect for Facebook but not for LinkedIn.

And then there is the politics.   A woman recently opined that is was a shame that the person who apparently was going to attack Donald Trump failed.  (I reported her because such comments are inexcusable and possibly criminal.)  A man shared his opinion that President Obama will go down in history as the greatest president of all time.  (From the comments posted one would be excused for thinking he was kidding.)   And then there are the pictures/posts debunking Black Lives Matter.  The list is endless.

Will these individuals bring politics into the office?  No employer wants that.

So think twice when you post non-professional or purely personal commentary or information on LinkedIn.  It may cost you a job offer.  (It will be interesting to see if anyone is ever fired for a LinkedIn post or comment and, if they sue, what the verdict will be!)

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Bruce Hurwitz is an executive recruiter and career counselor.  He is the author of Success! As Employee or Entrepreneur and A Hooker’s Guide to Getting a Job: Parables from the Real World of Career Counseling and Executive Recruiting.

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Fearlessness

We all have fears the question is, how do we overcome them?  Without the ability to do so, success will be elusive.

Join me on Thursday, March 17 at 9:30 AM (EDT), on Bruce Hurwitz Presents! when my guest will be business and marketing strategist and advisor Gil Effron.

Gil is founder and CEO of the Profitability Institute, a Tampa-based coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners, CEOs, and leadership teams successfully tackle urgent challenges, improve organizational efficiency, and map winning strategies for future growth and profitability.  He also heads The Strategic Marketing Team, a division of ProfitAbility Institute.

Gil is the author of How to Close More Business in Less Time (2014) and How to Give Your Business an Extreme Marketing Makeover (2010), an active blogger, and proficient marketing writer. Gil has written and published hundreds of articles on marketing and the sales process.

From strategic business and marketing planning and connecting the dots between marketing and the sales process to creative problem solving and precise implementation, his primary mission is to help his clients improve outcomes, build highly-profitable businesses, and learn how to become better leaders.

Gil holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, a Master’s from Michigan State University, and pursued additional post-graduate studies at Ohio State University.

After spending seven years in New York City, Gil sold his snow shovel and returned to the Tampa Bay area to be closer geographically to family.  While in New York, Gil was extremely active in the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of directors and was instrumental in developing and launching several major activities including The Voice of Manhattan Business podcast and MarketingWeekNYC.

Questions You Need to be Prepared to Answer in a Job Interview

1. What do you know about us?
2. Why do you want to work here?
3. What are your weaknesses?
4. What was your greatest failure?
5. Why did you do something one way and not another?
6. Why are you looking to leave your current job?  Why did you leave your previous jobs?
7. Tell us about yourself?

Think you know the answers?  Getting them wrong can cost you a job offer.  Want to know the best way to answer?  Take advantage of my Career Counseling Special.  Only two weeks left!