employeeze

Got an interesting email from a friend of mine today. He is a Director-level IT/Software guru. He recently got laid off from Microsoft, and has been approached by several firms around the area via LinkedIn. One of the things he sent me is this:

“Yesterday I sent a lot of emails asking for LinkedIn recommendations.  *Agency* did not want any references all they wanted were the names of recommendations from LinkedIn.  Interesting move - that way you know this is a true reference as the LinkedIn person went “public” on their views.”

Now, this is interesting and of no little consequence. I personally have my LinkedIn profile URL and my Electronic Recruiting Exchange blog link on my own resume. Earlier this week we heard in the comments section from someone that advocates using your LinkedIn endorsements as quotes on your resume.  I happen to somewhat disagree with this, unless the quote is by someone really well known in your industry, or a published author for the very simple fact that I think quotes from your professional network should be used as *references*, not as marketing tools.  But, it is certainly something you can try. I give it the same weight I do for listing your references on your resume directly: many employment agencies will use the information (name, title, company) listed to build new client cold call lists.  I would never want my own references out there passed around and open to solicitation in this manner, and when I provide references I always let them know ahead of time to expect a call from XYZ company. 

But as with any other content in a resume, nothing is set in stone and experimentation might get you further along.   You never know what is going to differentiate you from Joe Smith.

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