Forums

 I have been on LinkedIn for a couple of years now.  In the last year, LinkedIn introduced endorsing others in your network for specific skills.  I honestly do not like this endorsement feature.

What are your thoughts on this subject?  I thought I had seen discussion on this topic on the site but cannot find.

Thanks!

jrosenau's picture

Here is a thread on endorsements:

http://www.manager-tools.com/forums-7946

I have begun endorsing people but only for items I would recommend them for.  Come to think of it, I've only endorsed those I've already written a recommendation for.  That started because people started endorsing me.  I agree with you, though.  I don't think it's a great feature.  I could do without it.

John

bdechepul's picture

Thanks, John for the thread.  

svibanez's picture

I've received "endorsements" for skills I have no experience in - from people who know me very well professionally.  It seems to me like they're fishing for endorsements or recommendations.  I only endorse or recommend people for skills I would feel comfortable talking about with a prospective employer.  Fortunately, LinkedIn gives you the ability to delete endorsements you feel are inappropriate.

Steve

DiSC 7114

derosier's picture
Licensee Badge

 On a similar vein: I've received endorsements that are perfectly appropriate (in other words, my core competencies), but from people who would really have no basis of knowing my skills in that area beyond them knowing that's what I do professionally.  Need to keep them, but it certainly raises the eyebrows when you get them.  Clearly these are people who are fishing for endorsements or even just "trying to help a buddy out."

The endorsement feature has been there for a long time, it's only recently that it has moved to the forefront.  About as useful as the skills block on the resume. At least in this case it isn't harmful from a resume page-space point of view.

 

 

greenrest's picture
Licensee Badge

The endorsement feature is useless in my opinion.  I have personally gotten endorsements from people I don't know or people who I would consider are in capable of endorsing  a specific skill.

If a boss or senior person is making the endorsement it is great.  Otherwise its a sham.

 

 

brianwidmer's picture
Training Badge

 I think an interesting question is:

As a hiring manager, have you ever looked at LinkedIn endorsements for a candidate you are considering hiring AND used that in your consideration of a candidate?

If you answer is, 'yes', you might want to consider managing the endorsements of yourself.

jocadl's picture

Interesting question, indeed.

I don't see that happening where I work. Other places, obviously, may be different.

I've received appropriate endorsements from total strangers, as well as inappropriate endorsements from people I thought knew me well.

That's why agree with the majority sentiment expressed so far: It's a useless feature. The way it is implemented (suggesting whole sets of endorsements that you confirm with just one click, as soon as you click, a new suggestion appears, ...), it is meant to make the site more dynamic and interactive. It's LinkedIn's gamification; nothing serious.

Best
Jochen

derosier's picture
Licensee Badge

Brianwidmer brings up a good point and I'll expand it a bit.

The feature is there, ignoring reality does no good. It's possible that some hiring manager might use the endorsement feature data in hiring decisions. Whether you like the feature or not, whether or not you would utilize the data in your decisions, you should manage the data that is there to make your LinkedIn resume look the way you want it to.

That doesn't mean you should go out and get everyone you know to endorse you.  Nor should you try to "game" the system.  But removing incorrect endorsements, maybe even asking for an endorsement from someone who posted a recommendation for you might be beneficial.

There's a strong chance that a recruiter or manager will put more relevance to the endorsements than you would. Manage that data like you would any other part of your resume.

And on that note… I think I need to go review the endorsements that I have been ignoring.

 

bdechepul's picture

When hiring, I utilize the candidates resume (obviously) to narrow down my list of candidates.   If I brought endorsements into the picture, it seems that this might be helpful but it may also be duplicating the information in the resume.

Honestely, I would not even think of reviewing endorsements on LinkedIn when determining potential candidates to interview.   My behavioral interview would flush out any weaknesses in my opinion.
 

Back to the issue of the general idea of endorsements.   I've been endorsed for skills for which I do not have (in my mind).   I may have been involved in work that touched on a skill but that doesn't mean I am skilled.  

Great information here.    Thanks for everyone chiming in.

bdechepul's picture

When hiring, I utilize the candidates resume (obviously) to narrow down my list of candidates.   If I brought endorsements into the picture, it seems that this might be helpful but it may also be duplicating the information in the resume.

Honestly, I would not even think of reviewing endorsements on LinkedIn when determining potential candidates to interview.   My behavioral interview would flush out any weaknesses in my opinion.
 

Back to the issue of the general idea of endorsements.   I've been endorsed for skills for which I do not have (in my mind).   I may have been involved in work that touched on a skill but that doesn't mean I am skilled.  

Great information here.    Thanks for everyone chiming in.