Don’t get me wrong, I love LinkedIn. I have written glowingly about the social networking tool over the past several years and actually landed my current job via LinkedIn.
With that being said, LinkedIn has been making a lot of radical (read: foolish) changes over the past several months. The company has been using the capital it has raised during their IPO to hire a team of business development folks with the aim of turning the networking site into a job board. Again, I must stress, I am a BIG fan of LinkedIn and I even think that creating more resources for companies and jobseekers is a good idea.
What I don’t like and what I think is the worst idea ever (the jump the shark moment) is the introduction the “Apply with LinkedIn Button”. Sure, this will make it very easy for jobseekers to apply to jobs. I must ask, what is difficult before? Employers and jobseekers do not need the process to be easier or faster. This will just lead to hundreds of unqualified jobseekers applying to every job they see. This is the ultimate in laziness.
This new “tool” flies in the face of the original value proposition that was at the core of LinkedIn, which is building relationships and networking. Yes, this actually takes some work.
I am afraid that if LinkedIn continues to head down this path they will turn into another useless site like Monster.
My advice to jobseekers: Use this tool with caution. Remember there is no substitute for good old fashioned networking.
What do you think of this new tool? Good? Bad? No opinion?
Michael, Thanks for your comment and I love the “Fonzi” reference..not many people know the origin of “jump the shark.”
I agree with what you are saying, Linkedin is an awesome tool for recruiters and job seekers. My point is that when it is sooooo easy for unqualified candidates to apply to a job, this will slow the process down for everyone not speed it up. As it is now with Monster and CareerBuilder, recruitersare sifting through hundfreds of unqualified resumes to get to the 4 or 5 that are actually qualified and good enough to present to a hiring manager. When you add in another couple hundred from Linkedin….not so good.
Hi Jeff, Thanks for the info. I just assumed this would be free.
Dan,
The “chronic poster” will prove to be the downfall of the apply button.
Joel,
I agree with you that having a well maintained Linkedin profile is extremely important but I do not see resumes ever going away.
I’m actually very excited to see the outcome of an “Apply” button. If you maintain your LinkedIn profile, there is no better face to show potential employers. The age of “static” resumes is quickly coming to an end. Having the ability to show employers recommendations along with social credibility, is a far better way to sell yourself.
As long as LinkedIn remains tasteful with their foray into the job market, they will succeed.
Judging by how they discreetly and helpfully introduced ads, I’d say they are on the right track.
Dan,
Good article I agree completelty with all your comments. As a recruiter the thing that I find the most aggravating is candidates seeking employment and sending resumes for jobs the when they are not even close to meeting the requirements for a recruiter to call them much less submit there resume for the position.
I believe the new feature involves a fee, which Linkedin doesn’t seem be making well known; that’s one reason there for me not use it
Wasn’t LinkedIn started as a job search community? Certainly the new ‘Skills’ section as well as the ‘Signal’ tool can be used by both business people looking to network as well as people looking for jobs? Sure the expanded sections for recent grads and college students is slanted. But, would more people going back to work aid in moving the economy and ultimately our business networking?
I might tend to agree with you from a personal angle – not much in it for me. However, I attended a presentation from a recruiter on using LinkedIn this week (I was snooping since I do the same). She made a good point about using a LinkedIn profile when you are searching for a job. Speed! She asked the audience do you know how many profiles and resumes I review daily? If you do not grab me in the first few seconds, you are history. I look at certain portions of the LinkedIn profile or the top 1/3 of a resume. I prefer looking at LinkedIn profiles over resumes. I rarely even read cover letters, they are a waste of time.
So that’s the other side of the story, Fonzi. Variety – let them choose their poison.