Metafilter LinkedIn Group January 16, 2014 8:40 AM   Subscribe

Now that our leader has successfully added all of us to his friends list while pretending it was an accident (jk), I think it might make sense for there to be an expanded, private Metafilter LinkedIn group (not the public, totally barren one that exists now). Here's why:

Sometime I might hire someone. I don't necessarily want to post it on Metafilter Jobs (though I have, and gotten no response) because I don't want a connection directly from my "joking around and talking personal stuff" Metafilter self and my "Professional Dude" self. But I would like to hire a Mefite because they are more likely to be cool to work with. Conversely, if were ever to look for a job, I'd love to reach out to people in my field or region for advice or recommendations based on what they do or where they work. All of which is better served with my IRL name on LinkedIn rather than here. (There is a Mefite resume review group, but it's small and not in many fields.) A private discussion among Mefites about career stuff would probably be useful to others too-- What say you all? I can't be the only person who is terrible at networking right?
posted by Potomac Avenue to MetaFilter-Related at 8:40 AM (122 comments total) 18 users marked this as a favorite

I have a LinkedIn profile (have for years) and I still don't know what I am supposed to do with it. Even when I was actively job hunting I didn't know what I was supposed to do with it.

The only purpose it serves now is to help me remember employment dates.

I intend to die in my current position, so I can't imagine I'll ever actually use it.

This said, I only "link" with people I actually know IRL. What would be the point of having strangers on there? Again, I am pretty ignorant of what one does with these things.

I got my profile because the Newspaper industry was pretty shaky and I survived 7 rounds of layoffs. I left because I wasn't confident about round 8. Had I not quit before being fired how would LinkedIn have helped me?
posted by cjorgensen at 8:53 AM on January 16, 2014 [2 favorites]


Had I not beaten quit

I think this is a typo but I want it to be a real idiom.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:55 AM on January 16, 2014 [2 favorites]


I still had time to fix it!
posted by cjorgensen at 8:57 AM on January 16, 2014


This said, I only "link" with people I actually know IRL.

Me too. I make some exceptions for people who are in my industry who maybe I haven't met but admire or want to be able to contact. I guess I consider myself to have an IRL relationship because I accepted his request (we have exchanged messages and comments, I know what he does for a living), but I can't say the same is true for everyone on MetaFilter, many of whom are people I know nothing about.

Not that I think it's a bad sentiment and people shouldn't do it, but if I don't do it, the reason is that I try to keep it very focused on my real-life network.
posted by Miko at 8:58 AM on January 16, 2014


Just for clarification I'm proposing creating a closed LinkedIn group (or modifying that current one), which would not require linking to everyone who joins.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:07 AM on January 16, 2014 [2 favorites]


Oddly, I thought there was one already.
posted by Miko at 9:12 AM on January 16, 2014


IF only because it is concievably another connection into finally finding a fucking job, I am in for this.

(Seriously. Secretary with 15 years of experience here who suddenly got laid off by an evil bank, along with 20 other people, and since then cannot seem to get anything except temp gigs. I just want a fucking CHANCE.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:13 AM on January 16, 2014 [11 favorites]


the one I linked in the OP is Open and nobody is using it...maybe there's another one?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:13 AM on January 16, 2014


Ah, yeah. No, I was thinking of the open group that's there.
posted by Miko at 9:14 AM on January 16, 2014


I'm job-hunting and I'd appreciate this, for the reasons Potomac Avenue raises. Also, because like cjorgensen, I'm not at all sure what to do with a linkedin account.
posted by gauche at 9:17 AM on January 16, 2014


I would join the private group. And just to reiterate the original point - joining the group on LI would not be the same as a direct LI connection. My last several jobs have come via job posts on LI.
posted by COD at 9:17 AM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


Great to know; I would join the group.-
posted by Miko at 9:21 AM on January 16, 2014


As much as I make fun of it, I did in fact get a job through it. So, I'd be in.
posted by ignignokt at 9:22 AM on January 16, 2014


This pony is very hireable.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:32 AM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


I would join. :)
posted by zarq at 9:52 AM on January 16, 2014


Can never know too many folks professionally... I would join.
posted by Jacob G at 9:58 AM on January 16, 2014


Had I not beaten quit

I think this is a typo but I want it to be a real idiom.


Is that like rage quit, except you're on the other end of the rage and you can't take the abuse any more?
posted by davejay at 9:59 AM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


Beaten quit is when you realize you are so hopeless at some game that you should just give it up.
posted by philipy at 10:42 AM on January 16, 2014 [2 favorites]


Considering that fact that I'm likely losing my job in the next two or three months, I am definitely in for this, too!
posted by Grither at 10:45 AM on January 16, 2014


Sounds like a good idea. Maybe it'd get me to brush up my LI profile, which God knows I need to do.
posted by mlle valentine at 11:06 AM on January 16, 2014


The point of linked in is because it's a place where everyone's resume is stored. You are on there saying "Hey! I'm here, and I do ___." Someone who's looking to hire a ___ says "Who is on here who does __?" or "Hey! I'm here and I'm looking for a ___." It's kind of like online dating except it's for jobs. It's kind of like the old newspaper ads except instead of mailing your resume in an envelope you're sending them a message that says "Please go look at my billboard".
posted by bleep at 11:07 AM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


Sure, what the hell.
posted by jquinby at 11:23 AM on January 16, 2014


Sounds like a good idea.
posted by ambrosia at 11:28 AM on January 16, 2014


So should whoever owns that small group there already (Matt?) change it to a private group and we all join it? Or do we start a new one?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:33 AM on January 16, 2014


I would join!
posted by shothotbot at 11:36 AM on January 16, 2014


I dumped Facebook some time ago, but will probably never get rid of LI. Not until something better or more useful comes along. For sales-related jobs, it's indispensable for keeping up with customers and colleagues.
posted by jquinby at 11:36 AM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


Would join; don't find LinkedIn useful, so maybe this would make it useful to me, or to someone else I could help!
posted by Joh at 11:38 AM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


I would also join, so long as it wouldn't require us posting our metafilter usernames anywhere on our LinkedIn profiles.
posted by likeatoaster at 11:41 AM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


I find LinkedIn to be incredibly valuable - first thing I do when I get home from a trade show is sit down with all the business cards I collected and connect with each person. Voila, instant online rolodex that always keeps itself updated. I'd join a MeFi group on there for sure.
posted by jbickers at 11:52 AM on January 16, 2014


I would join!
posted by kimdog at 11:52 AM on January 16, 2014


I'm currently employed after a year of interesting living, and it's unlikely that I'll ever find a job that way, but I'd join. It'll make Lin-Ked-In email much more welcome in my inbox.
posted by hat_eater at 11:53 AM on January 16, 2014


i can't wait to endorse mathowie for editing.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 12:19 PM on January 16, 2014 [18 favorites]


I too would join on the off-chance it made LinkedIn even slightly useful.

Potomac Avenue: "So should whoever owns that small group there already (Matt?) change it to a private group and we all join it? Or do we start a new one?"

If the owner's around, that's probably the most efficient thing to do. But do you have to approve people as members of a private group? How are we going to do that without outing our usernames? Or is there just going to have to be a trusted leader?
posted by hoyland at 12:46 PM on January 16, 2014


quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon: i can't wait to endorse mathowie for editing.

Rock Steady has endorsed you for "Silencing All His Life"!
posted by Rock Steady at 1:04 PM on January 16, 2014 [7 favorites]


Yeah, I honestly don't know how the hell to use Linkedin either. I'm hoping this at least makes it easier for other MeFites to see my resume, so they can then ask me things, or vice-versa.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:14 PM on January 16, 2014


I would be very tempted to join except for the fact that my company-approved LI photo may be the single worst picture of me ever taken.
posted by The Gooch at 1:25 PM on January 16, 2014


I would join.
posted by dg at 1:30 PM on January 16, 2014


Your company has to improve your LinkedIn profile photo?
posted by dontjumplarry at 1:42 PM on January 16, 2014


Apparently he feels they do.
posted by Wolfdog at 1:43 PM on January 16, 2014 [2 favorites]


I would ride this pony.
posted by Aizkolari at 2:11 PM on January 16, 2014


If you need my services, go to any graveyard and whisper my name into a bird's nest and I will appear behind you.
posted by ColdChef at 2:13 PM on January 16, 2014 [43 favorites]


I'm in
posted by Arbac at 2:21 PM on January 16, 2014


I actually did hire a Mefite for an upcoming event. Really psyched, actually.
No, it's not ColdChef
posted by cobaltnine at 2:22 PM on January 16, 2014 [8 favorites]


Ok!
posted by Doleful Creature at 2:41 PM on January 16, 2014


But I would like to hire a [member of my fraternity] because they are more likely to be cool to work with.

Yuck.
posted by Sys Rq at 2:42 PM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


I got my current job through LinkedIn (recruiter contacted me via my profile), so I find it useful. Keeping tabs on contacts is a prime use for me. I'm in.
posted by arcticseal at 2:51 PM on January 16, 2014


No not you Sys Rq!
posted by Potomac Avenue at 3:13 PM on January 16, 2014


I have gotten no use out of my LinkedIn profile since I created it. Even when I was actively looking for work, places I had sent resumes to never even looked at it. In fact, I got more mileage out of my personal vanity website I haven't touched in 5 years than I have from my LI profile.

Even at that, I don't think LI is that great for tech professionals though. The groups on there are filled with idiots and morons. One of the system administrator groups has a lot of members - but it's all noise. Someone posted a message 4 years ago that simply said "reply with 'Yes, please' to be added to our list for a potential job" and every day it generates 60-70 messages. A joke unto itself.

I'll join a Metafilter LI group for grins and giggles, I guess. But LI is for me to poop on.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 3:39 PM on January 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


Guys, if you get a request from LinkedIn asking whether or not you would endorse my knife and garroting skill please say yes.
posted by cjorgensen at 3:42 PM on January 16, 2014 [2 favorites]


Please do not endorse me for "wasting company time and resources online" even though that's the skill you know me for!
posted by vespabelle at 3:48 PM on January 16, 2014 [12 favorites]


Who are you?
posted by cjorgensen at 4:03 PM on January 16, 2014


I would ride this pony.
posted by grouse at 4:09 PM on January 16, 2014


I'm in.
posted by triggerfinger at 4:13 PM on January 16, 2014


i would like this.
posted by subbes at 4:40 PM on January 16, 2014


As someone just starting out on a job hunt after grad school, I would join this.
posted by Noms_Tiem at 4:56 PM on January 16, 2014


I would love this. I'm on there daily since I'm currently unemployed and looking. I find LI really useful as an online contact list that keeps itself updated. If I see a job opening somewhere, I go to LinkedIn and check to see who I know at that company to see if I can get the low-down on what the place is like and if they're really hiring.
posted by octothorpe at 5:15 PM on January 16, 2014


This is the irony and kicker of LinkedIn. The few people I've known without jobs never asked for my help on LinkedIn. Maybe that's not how it's used?
posted by cjorgensen at 6:17 PM on January 16, 2014


I "get" LinkedIn and participate in conversations there a few times a week.

I would definitely join a MeFi LinkedIn group.
posted by KokuRyu at 6:24 PM on January 16, 2014


I would this.
posted by carter at 7:14 PM on January 16, 2014


I would join this. It would give me an excuse to look at my LinkedIn account, which I haven't updated in years.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 8:30 PM on January 16, 2014


I don't "get" linkedin, although I have a profile. And am unemployed. I'm in.
posted by notsnot at 8:32 PM on January 16, 2014


I'm on the hunt right now, let's party hard once we finally meet each other in the private campground on LinkedIn away from all of the feds. I'll be bringing a case of Michelob and a few canisters of whipped cream, but I'll need someone else to bring eggs, cheese, sausage, tortillas, and a cooking stove. I'm going to be leading a belly dance elevator speech workshop after yoga class, so please bring your mats if you don't want to bleed. Blood on LinkedIn is a total no-no-no-no red flag. Blood is why the flags are red on LinkedIn, actually.
posted by oceanjesse at 8:56 PM on January 16, 2014


[i would totally join this big new group]
posted by oceanjesse at 8:57 PM on January 16, 2014


I've been thinking about deleting my LinkedIn account for quite a while, because ooh ick is the kind of feeling I get from the site (well, all social networking with scare quotes around it, I guess), but: inertia. Pretty much every communication I've ever gotten from other users of the site has been skeezy or worrisome in some way.

I suppose I'd find it a lot more valuable if I hadn't been working at the same job for the last decade, so I should knock on wood, thank my lucky stars, kiss the monkey's butthole, and be thankful for what I got, I guess.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:04 PM on January 16, 2014


If you need my services, go to any graveyard and whisper my name into a bird's nest

I tried this, the QOS isn't worth a damn. Just kept getting dropped packets. Or maybe it was bird droppings. Whatever.
posted by pjern at 1:07 AM on January 17, 2014 [1 favorite]


Yeah, I honestly don't know how the hell to use Linkedin either.

Google camouflage.

You don't need to actively use Linkedin all that much for it to be useful, as at the very least a reasonably updated profile gives potential employers and other busy bodies a nice idea of who you are as a potential employee.

As a conslutant, I've noticed that it's handy to have a profile because it gives off the right professional vibes and sometimes/often a better impression than my actual cv does.

It's also handy to keep up with ex-cow-orkers.
posted by MartinWisse at 3:48 AM on January 17, 2014 [2 favorites]


Also in.
posted by StephenF at 4:17 AM on January 17, 2014


I got my last hire through MeFi Jobs, but I know a software guy in central Mass. who gets a lot of hires through LinkedIn mail broadcasts to contact & friends. So it does work.

I'm up for a group and/or for contacts with y'all.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:57 AM on January 17, 2014


Well given that the last activity in the old Metafilter group was 3 years ago and I don't know the creator of it I'll create a new group. Here it is.
You don't have to prove you're a member to join, I'll believe you.

Mods are welcome but only if they are cool. You don't have to connect with anyone you don't feel like connecting with to join the group. All professions and industries are welcome. Networking! Maybe this is how it works.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:28 AM on January 17, 2014 [1 favorite]


I'm in as well.
posted by MustardTent at 6:52 AM on January 17, 2014


Come on in then.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:56 AM on January 17, 2014 [7 favorites]


Done!
posted by MustardTent at 7:15 AM on January 17, 2014


Yeah, I'll sign up for that. Linkedin has been useful for my job search, if only to commiserate with former colleagues as they move on, and “follow” humorously-named companies to provide lulz to my contacts.

Sometimes, I don't think I'm doing this right.
posted by scruss at 7:16 AM on January 17, 2014


Request sent! I actually do find LinkedIn useful (if increasingly annoying and intrusive) and use it all the time. I've been on both ends of the "I need to find good people to hire" and "Jesus fucking christ I need a job!" stick, so I appreciate both needs.
posted by digitalprimate at 8:14 AM on January 17, 2014


If anyone else wants to manage the group hit me up on LinkedIn or here, I'm not a super-heavy LI user so may miss requests without other people clearing out the queue.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:17 AM on January 17, 2014


Also I'm pretty easy to dox if you know anything about my posting history, so um, don't do that please?
posted by digitalprimate at 8:19 AM on January 17, 2014


As a conslutant
ex-cow-orkers

I'm looking at MartinWisse in a whole new light.
posted by arcticseal at 8:35 AM on January 17, 2014 [2 favorites]


It's just as we thought! Metafilter is made of peeeeeople.

Interesting bunch, wide variety of fields!
posted by Miko at 8:37 AM on January 17, 2014 [1 favorite]


I'm looking at MartinWisse in a whole new light.

Well now you know he's out standing in his field.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:59 AM on January 17, 2014 [3 favorites]


It's people all the way down. Except for the dogs.
posted by arcticseal at 9:03 AM on January 17, 2014


Finally updated my profile picture which I just realized was almost nine years old. Much less hair on top and lots more (gray) hair on my face now.
posted by octothorpe at 9:21 AM on January 17, 2014


I figured it would be just lots of people who work for the coast guard and rescue people for a living.
posted by shothotbot at 9:38 AM on January 17, 2014 [4 favorites]


I was told there would be cat videos.
posted by digitalprimate at 9:41 AM on January 17, 2014


I would probably not join, but not because you guys aren't awesome, but because I really don't need my workplace ever knowing Metafilter exists. Especially because then they might update the blocking software. :)
posted by corb at 9:50 AM on January 17, 2014


I have it hidden on my profile page. Not that I'm ashamed of you or anything...
posted by arcticseal at 10:27 AM on January 17, 2014


Sent my request to join. See you all there!
posted by Arbac at 10:40 AM on January 17, 2014


It seems to be hidden by default, which is handy.
posted by hoyland at 10:57 AM on January 17, 2014


I'd be in, why not. And I'll get Mister Rabbit to join too, he is actually looking for a job right now. (And if you know of any jobs in the Portland area for a guy with a diverse skill set who's good at fixing things, let me know.)
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:52 AM on January 17, 2014


Just sent my request in.
posted by COD at 12:18 PM on January 17, 2014


Sent in my request. As far as having it not show on one's profile, is there anything additional to do beyond unchecking the "show on my profile" box?
posted by Lexica at 12:21 PM on January 17, 2014


AFAIK thats all you have to do Lexica!
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:33 PM on January 17, 2014


First thing I saw when I joined was shakespeherian's smiling face, so obviously this is a good thing.
posted by SpiffyRob at 12:58 PM on January 17, 2014


Wait, I sent my request to join, but how do you figure out if the requesting person is really on metafilter or not?
posted by Joh at 1:39 PM on January 17, 2014


I was kind of wondering that too. I put a reference to octothorpes (#) in my twitter profile so Mefites can figure out who I am but there's nothing in my LinkedIn profile that identifies me.
posted by octothorpe at 1:44 PM on January 17, 2014


At the door, tell them "I'm a friend of Matt Howie."
posted by jquinby at 1:45 PM on January 17, 2014


Yeah, I hope it's not too much of a puzzle to figure out my identity over there.
posted by MartinWisse at 2:00 PM on January 17, 2014


how do you figure out if the requesting person is really on metafilter or not?

I'm guessing that maybe it's set up so it doesn't show up in search listings on LI, so the only way to get to the group page is to know the URL - which is only advertised here? So the only people who can find the group are people who've read this thread.

At least - if that setting is available and I were in charge, that's how I'd do it, anyway.

There would be a lot of things I'd do if I were supreme dictator of the world. It's probably a good thing that I'm not
posted by talitha_kumi at 3:18 PM on January 17, 2014


It would probably be a good idea if people wanting to connect individually put a note in the invitation saying they're from MeFi. That would clear up any confusion.
posted by Miko at 3:24 PM on January 17, 2014


It's not like inviting someone to connect - it's just clicking a button to join the group. I had a similar thought and tried to message the group owner, but LinkedIn won't even let me do that.
posted by dg at 4:06 PM on January 17, 2014


I'm just assuming not a ton of randoms are trying to join this group without being part of MF. I doubt anyone's like Ooh a group for something I've never heard of let me join! But so caveat clickeur, it's possible some non-Mefites might slip in. Again, let me know if you want to be a manager on there! I already made Griphus one whether he likes it or not.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 4:38 PM on January 17, 2014


I have now joined the second group as well.
posted by triggerfinger at 5:19 PM on January 17, 2014


I was kind of wondering that too. I put a reference to octothorpes (#) in my twitter profile so Mefites can figure out who I am but there's nothing in my LinkedIn profile that identifies me.

It's been awhile since I've participated in LinkedIn groups, but I'm thinking there's some sort of capability on LI of starting a discussion where members who choose to can let everyone else know who they are on Mefi. Since the group is closed, the privacy issues shouldn't be as much of a concern.

Also, if possible, I think that mentioning (or duplicating) the resume review thing over there would be great. I've had my resume put together by a professional resume service and I am totally willing to help other people out with theirs.
posted by triggerfinger at 5:33 PM on January 17, 2014


None of the discussions in the Group can be seen by non-members of that group. That membership is self-selecting as Metafilter Members, though there is no barrier to entry other than asking to join. So I'd classify it as "Semi-private" not actually private like a Memail, but about as private as a Facebook private group.

I think starting a "Review my resume (or LinkedIn profile) please" thread on there would be grand idea.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 5:41 PM on January 17, 2014 [1 favorite]


I joined! After a similar "HEY WE ARE GOING TO SEND EMAILS TO EVERYBODY IN YR EMAIL ADDRESS BOOK" encounter with LinkedIn in about 2006 or so, I had stayed away. Now that I am job hunting, I suppose I needed to revisit that decision.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:32 AM on January 18, 2014


Annoyingly, LinkedIn decides to send you periodic emails about each new group you join, even if you've unsubscribed to every other group email digest.

You can turn it off in the Frequency of group digest emails page.
posted by grouse at 1:51 PM on January 18, 2014 [1 favorite]


Sure, why not? Now I'll be a member of the "Metafilter" and "Metafilter Members" linkedin groups. I suppose I should hide at least one so potential employers don't think I'm crazy to be in two identical groups?
posted by Secretariat at 6:53 PM on January 18, 2014


I dunno, I'm kinda disappointed now. I was really expecting more beards.
posted by Nanukthedog at 7:57 AM on January 19, 2014 [1 favorite]


Membership requested!
posted by jeoc at 4:37 PM on January 19, 2014


submitted request.
posted by sciencegeek at 7:23 PM on January 19, 2014


*knock, knock* "Matt Howie sent me?"
posted by wenestvedt at 7:17 PM on January 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


I am down with this. I will join.
posted by koucha at 6:35 AM on January 21, 2014


Requested.
posted by TravellingCari at 10:26 AM on January 21, 2014


Note to self: Join when on actual computer.
posted by divabat at 12:22 PM on January 21, 2014 [2 favorites]


Requested too.
posted by motdiem2 at 2:01 PM on January 21, 2014


Me too, me too!
posted by pomegranate at 4:09 AM on January 22, 2014


Mods are welcome but only if they are cool.

I am cool.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:38 PM on February 5, 2014 [2 favorites]


"I am cool."
posted by grouse at 3:01 PM on February 5, 2014 [4 favorites]


One time several years ago I went out with some people I knew from my job for a drink at the nearby bar after work, first time I had done that as I was newish to the job and also pretty unaccustomed to the whole idea of "let's go to a bar after work" besides, and I sat down and we were all like hello and stuff, and then somebody asked if I was cool, and somebody else was like sort of awkward-interjecting "yeah, he's cool", and I was like, I guess I'm cool? It was an odd moment, and I had the feeling that the asker, the answerer, and me were all having different variations of discomfort with how that whole little exchange played out.

A few years later I finally understood that the asker was talking about weed.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:54 AM on February 6, 2014 [13 favorites]


Thanks for starting this, Potomac Avenue!
posted by turtlegirl at 7:46 AM on February 7, 2014 [1 favorite]


yeah, thanks Potomac Avenue for starting this, and for jessamyn to pointing out this thread.
posted by terrapin at 9:19 AM on February 7, 2014


Membership requested!
posted by Carillon at 11:33 AM on February 7, 2014


I just requested membership.
posted by synecdoche at 7:22 PM on February 15, 2014


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