LinkedIn profiles: fake, phony & faux is NOT the way to go!

Out of curiosity, I recently listened in on a group “lesson” given by a self-labeled social media expert. This person regularly delivers LinkedIn training and claims they have “gotten people jobs” through the following technique as well as other profile building tips related to SEO, keywords, etc.

The expert recommended that unemployed people should create a group on LinkedIn and give themselves a title such as CEO, VP of Marketing, Relationship Director, etc., of that group related to their industry or interests.

Have you ever heard of this or seen profiles like that – where someone lists that in lieu of a current job?

View entire article originally posted on ERE...

http://community.ere.net/blogs/kellyblokdijk/2012/01/have-the-perso...

Comment by Kelly Blokdijk on January 12, 2012 at 7:03pm: Thanks everyone for your comments. Special thanks to Sandra for kicking off the conversation with that perfectly revolting analogy.

Every now and then when I encounter this nonsense it is helpful to get some reassurance that there are still some sane, ethical people out there to balance out the $h!+ shovelers.

Since this stuff is going on right in my local community, I've actually seen real examples of people who've followed this absurd advice.

KB @TalentTalks

Comment by Sandra McCartt on January 12, 2012 at 7:19pm: I got more but i will save them for a special occassion like the next one that raises his greasy head. :)

Comment by Linda Ferrante on January 17, 2012 at 10:50am: Oh, Sandra, you are SO right on!! I have shown some serious restraint on this subject, but your rant just about sums it up! For the record, when I am speaking with people who have done this, or if these people contact me through LI, I ALWAYS call them out for it. Whether or not, they fail to realize that their credibility goes completely in the toilet at this point and there is no redeeming themselves. A lie is a lie is a lie. You can try to talk (read: weasel) your way out of it, or around it, but the fact remains, you LIED.

So, if you lied to get the job, what makes me think you'll all of a sudden be completely ethical on the job?! Nothing. I'd be a fool to think so.

There is a reason for the saying: 'Once a cheater, always a cheater'......just sayin'.....

Comment by Linda Ferrante on January 17, 2012 at 10:53am: Sorry, Kelly, I should have commented on your blog as well, but I got a little carried away....

I have an issue with people who claim to be 'social media' experts. Social media is still relatively new and unless someone is sent here BY LinkedIn, or has been CERTIFIED by LI, then they are a self proclaimed expert. Doesn't do much good for me, I could call myself the same thing! If I look for advice, guidance, direction, I would really perfer it to be from someone who has a pedigree to back it up. Otherwise, you are no different than the guy hanging the shingle out front once he passes whatever test he's going for. Doesn't make you an expert......

Comment by Kelly Blokdijk on January 27, 2012 at 12:38am: Sorry for the delayed feedback! Linda - I appreciate your contribution as well! The "credibility in the toilet" is rather close to my exact words to the person delivering this advice...

Completely agree on the lying part. Small lie, big lie, NO difference in my book. AND, if you are willing to do it EVER, what is to stop you from doing the same again and again and again. Too many examples of how that turned out for some top level leaders and too big to fail operations in our recent history.

Sad, how people so easily justify dishonesty to suit their needs, without any regard for the bigger message that sends about them and their ethics.

It's always awkward to double post and I know linking to another source is NOT ideal, so I do value the time everyone took to read and comment on this topic.

If anyone is so inclined, I would really appreciate comments on the original blog entry. If not this time, hopefully the next one :) OR, please fill me in on whether dual posting is a better option...

KB

@TalentTalks