I was poking around in LinkedIn today. I accepted an invitation to connect (even though it was an un-creative, un-personal invitation) and after I accepted, the lovely LinkedIn algorithm told me about a whole bunch of other people I might know or want to be connected to.
As my eyes drifted down the list, I was shocked and dismayed and I am not being dramatic at all. First, there was someone in a Controller role whose tagline was that she was an expert in “fiancé and analysis”. Come on. There may be only one letter missing but what a difference in credibility, especially when a key characteristic of a successful finance person is attention to detail. The accounting office is down the hall and to the left. The marriage license office is in a whole different building.
Then there were three people who referred to themselves without using capital letters or only used capitals on some of the words.
- Mechanical engineering Specialist
- Customer Service supervisor
Call it grammar or call it low self-esteem but whatever the reason, fix it. You are a professional person in a professional position. Tell us what it is with respect and authority.
While I was on a roll, I looked up the profiles of two people I know. Their profiles had titles, dates and company names but no descriptions of what they do. I know, for a fact, that these two women have complicated and demanding jobs but it was not at all reflected in their profiles. That’s like offering someone a ham and cheese sandwich and then just giving them a plate with two pieces of bread and a pickle. It may look attractive but it will never fill you up.
Maybe people just don’t care what their profile says. Maybe their profile is there just because someone told them to “get on LinkedIn”. That’s okay but don’t expect it to turn any heads if there is nothing to see.
Recruiter's Couch 