Spot the LinkedIn bots

"But what about the LinkedIn bots!?" you ask, as you consider enabling your #OpenToWork banner with hesitancy? My opinion: use LinkedIn - its powers with supplementing your job search aren't worth sacrificing due to bot fear. Instead, just educate yourself on how to spot the recruiter bots. Here are some tips. Be weary of:

- No headshot.

- Has "allegedly" worked for big brand, reputable employers yet hardly anything in their "About" section, or sometimes that section left completely blank.

- Often prestigious, Ivy League education depicted.

- No recommendations section.

- Less than 500 connections (and often less than 100), which just doesn't add up for an Ivy Leaguer from a big-brand Fortune 100 who's a recruiter or some similar people-centered role where 99% of those people have 500+ if not 5,000 to 10,000+ connections.

- Similar to above... you just notice something about the profile or some inconsistency that your gut tells you "doesn't add up."

Once you spot the first couple, you gain more confidence and you'll catch more. I would still stay the path of LinkedIn while arming yourself with your discerning knowledge as you go. I do think it's sad that this is impacting people engaging with the platform, but such is life with technology these days.

I know I likely missed some other bot identifiers. If anyone has others, please add! #jobsearch #layoffs #outplacement #4SightCoaching