I have never had a LinkedIn account, both out of general anti-data-vacuuming-social-media, and specifically anti-whatever-the-fucking-corphead-psychos-are-doing-on-LinkedIn tendencies, and managed to find a decent job out of uni just fine (software field). I’m now looking for a job again and the number one piece of advice I’m being given by concerned parties is “get on LinkedIn”.
I’m curious how many people into the whole “privacy” thing have had to make this choice, and which way you went with it.
Do the advantages (which it seems mainly boil down to “networking”) outweigh the icky feeling I’d get making an account? Of course only I can actually answer that question, but it sums up my conundrum.
I have found all my roles on there and all but one through the one click easy apply. That’s the only benefits - good (maybe best in the USA) pool of jobs and mostly reasonable application process. I ignore the posts, limit visibility and only connect with people I’ve met or worked with directly.
It truly sucks though, full of spammy engagement bait and bad recruiters. It’s tough, but personally I think having an account is worth it even if I ignore until it’s time for another job hunt.