You’ve gotten those little flag notifications, haven’t you? The ones that indicate that a Linked In connection has “endorsed you,” usually for a skill some Linked In program pulls from your online resume –and suggests your connections endorse you for. But, I wonder, what does a Linked In endorsement really mean? Besides that people like to click buttons.
First, if you endorse me for blogging, writing or teaching, bless you. Those are my passions and if you know my work in those areas and think I’m good at them, well, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for taking time to click.
If I’ve worked with you in any way shape or form and you’ve endorsed me for things I did during my pre-retirement career? Well, my feelings are little more complicated.
I’m flattered, of course, that you think I’m capable. But to be honest, I have no intention of ever again doing media relations, reputation management, corporate communications, public involvement or anything else that I did when I worked full time. Never.
Oh, now, I know that “never” is a really long time. Still, I think I can say with a metaphysical degree of certainty that I will never be looking for one of those jobs again. Now, I might teach them one day, and so for that reason alone, they may be useful. So, I’m grateful, even though it gives me a cold chill to think of ever looking for a regular job again.
Now, if you’ve never done business with me and are endorsing me for career skills, I have to ask: why? If you have no earthly idea if I can do these things, the endorsement is meaningless. Of course, no one knows that, they just see the endorsement. A recruiter or potential employer just sees the endorsement. But I know, and that’s enough.
Which brings me to another question. Have you endorsed me in the hope that I would give YOU an meaningless endorsement? Because I’m not going to. If I don’t know you and never did business with you, I’m not going to endorse you. I don’t know enough about you. But Linked In tells me repeatedly –every few days–that you have endorsed me–as if they, too, are complicit in the scam. And daily, they exort me to endorse my connections. Over and over.
The number of endorsements I’ve received from connections who have never worked with me is astounding and calls into question the entire Linked In system. Seeing that big pyramid of endorsements on my profile may make my ego feel warm and fuzzy, but if a certain percentage of them are based on no knowledge of my work, well, I have to wonder.
It’s fair to ask why I use Linked In, if I’m not interested in employment. Many reasons. Sometimes, I connect professional friends who might be able to help one another. Or my former students. My database might be target customers for a workshop or other offering I give in the future. Or for a book I’m trying to write. It’s nice to know where folks are at professionally in case we can help each other.
But I draw the line at bogus endorsements, I really do.
Like most social media, the flaws and weaknesses become evident upon constant use, and seem to increase with every new “feature” added. And “features” are always being added; it’s as if they have nothing to do at Social Media Headquarters but dream up Improvements that are not improvements at all. It dilutes the effectiveness of the site. Over time it’s clear that most potential employers will look a bit skeptically at Linked In “endorsements.” It’s inevitable, like death and taxes: social media companies always seem to muck things up.
I’m thinking I should start a series called “The Emperor Has No Clothes.” What do you think?
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Someone told me there’s a way to switch off the automated endorsements feature. I have not looked into it yet, but will when the annoyance level reaches peak. While I’m there, though, anything you’d like to be endorsed for, Carol? We fit the bill perfectly – we’re never met in person and know little about one another – can I put you down for ‘newsletters’. LOL, really.
Always love visiting your site. I do know that you have good taste in color & design 🙂
I don’t do those kinds of endorsements and cringe when I get one…though when they’re from friends I think the intention is good. If someone is going to say something supportive on LinkedIn I’d prefer a recommendation-they take more time and feel more ‘valid’.
Love the idea of an Emperor Has No Clothes series. Go for it.
I’m startled that friends from high school, who I re-met on Facebook 30 years later, think it’s a good idea to endorse me on Linked In. They don’t know what a “digital library” is, why do they think I have any expertise in it?
Hooray for calling a spade a spade! I also don’t get Klout; lots of people give me +K (and I’m happy to receive it!) for things that I’ve clearly never influenced them in. Just another part of the ‘social media games’ I guess.
Agree. I think Klout, Alexa all those things are really dumb, but advertisers apparently like them. As Janie Emaus said today, ‘whatever.’ I think they’re useless.
I know, me too. I can’t believe LI doesn’t get how stupid this is. They’re just down the road a piece, I should go over and chat. Now wouldn’t THAT be fun!
Right on, Carol. Joined it years ago at the insistence of a networking group member, but I have never been able to figure out the point of Linked In. Completely useless, in my opinion. Now facebook…different story.
I agree, Carol–the endorsement feature really isn’t worth much.
On the other hand, for those of us still in the workforce, especially those who freelance or run small businesses, LinkedIn is far from useless. It has its flaws, but when used well, it can operate as a “business card” that highlights achievements and the value we bring to our clients.
I get endorsed by people who have no idea what I can and can do. I am not sure how that gives my linkedin profile or klout profile any type of accuracy. It is just another way to stay connected to people.
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Right on, Carol. ALso friends in completely different fields who live across the country….makes no sense to me.
Crazy, right?
Someone told me there’s a way to switch off the automated endorsements feature. I have not looked into it yet, but will when the annoyance level reaches peak. While I’m there, though, anything you’d like to be endorsed for, Carol? We fit the bill perfectly – we’re never met in person and know little about one another – can I put you down for ‘newsletters’. LOL, really.
Always love visiting your site. I do know that you have good taste in color & design 🙂
LOL Thanks, Carolyn, for the compliments. Hey, why don’t you endorse me for “brain surgery.” ROTFL….
I don’t do those kinds of endorsements and cringe when I get one…though when they’re from friends I think the intention is good. If someone is going to say something supportive on LinkedIn I’d prefer a recommendation-they take more time and feel more ‘valid’.
Love the idea of an Emperor Has No Clothes series. Go for it.
I’m startled that friends from high school, who I re-met on Facebook 30 years later, think it’s a good idea to endorse me on Linked In. They don’t know what a “digital library” is, why do they think I have any expertise in it?
LOL–that completely made me laugh. Yeah, LI has jumped the shark, for sure.
Hooray for calling a spade a spade! I also don’t get Klout; lots of people give me +K (and I’m happy to receive it!) for things that I’ve clearly never influenced them in. Just another part of the ‘social media games’ I guess.
Agree. I think Klout, Alexa all those things are really dumb, but advertisers apparently like them. As Janie Emaus said today, ‘whatever.’ I think they’re useless.
I get one every morning. And I’m tired of it!
I know, me too. I can’t believe LI doesn’t get how stupid this is. They’re just down the road a piece, I should go over and chat. Now wouldn’t THAT be fun!
Right on, Carol. Joined it years ago at the insistence of a networking group member, but I have never been able to figure out the point of Linked In. Completely useless, in my opinion. Now facebook…different story.
I think it would look differently if you were in the traditional work force. But still…hey, endorse me for dentistry, wouldja?
I agree, Carol–the endorsement feature really isn’t worth much.
On the other hand, for those of us still in the workforce, especially those who freelance or run small businesses, LinkedIn is far from useless. It has its flaws, but when used well, it can operate as a “business card” that highlights achievements and the value we bring to our clients.
Karen
Yes, I appreciate that part of it–my issue is that social media companies always go a step too far and then it calls everything else into question
I am with you on bogus endorsements. I am constantly amazed by how many I get from people I have never interacted with in person or online.
It’s amazing. I posted this link on Linked In, too. (evil grin)
The Emperor has no clothes sounds like a good idea.
Glad you think so! 😉
I am with you. Often I don’t know who the person is who is endorsing me.
It’s a flawed system, for sure!
I get endorsed by people who have no idea what I can and can do. I am not sure how that gives my linkedin profile or klout profile any type of accuracy. It is just another way to stay connected to people.
Does anyone actually use klout for any purpose?
Supposedly advertising, but I think it’s all bullsh it.