increase your visibility on linkedin (sort of)

let people know you’ve been checking them out on linkedin. here’s why. and how.

a linkedin setting that no one uses

you have seen it on your home page. if you’re in the job market, you may have sworn at it a few times. it’s like those notes you got back in fifth grade – “so and so thinks you’re cute. do you think they’re cute?” except this is more like linkedin nudging you and stammering, “someone in your bio class has been scoping you, dude. just sayin…'”

just sayin’ what, you tease?! I’ve been applying and interviewing for gigs with various companies around town. “someone in the management function in the computer industry” doesn’t narrow the field much. I don’t know whether to be psyched that one of my interviewers looked me up or hopeful that a secret admirer is going to get in touch to offer me my dream job.

it doesn’t have to be this way, people.

sadly, there’s no way to get linked to stop being coy about the folks who have stopped by your profile. but there is a way for you to start changing the world.

it starts here, in linkedin’s privacy settings. profile views even has its own setting!

the middle setting is the default. if your stalking of someone includes the unlikely step of daily review of his or her linkedin profile, you will probably want to go with the third. after all, you probably do not want to tip your hand. in most cases, however, what harm will it do to reveal your interest?

in many cases, the target of your curiosity will not even bother to check the profile views. if they do, you gotta figure they will have at least a smidge of social media mojo. your name will leap out from the bland sea of faceless co-viewers. he or she will pick up the phone and call immediately. or dm you or buzz you or some such.

so come out of the shadows! start a revolution.