I haven't written any rants in like forever! But I've been busy moving and trying to get my little business off the ground... officially.
I've worked for myself for over a year now, and decided to just do it... to become a legit business owner =)
My little adventure is what has prompted me to write this post as I have spent a great deal of time on Linkedin doing research and engaging with my desired industry. Which I have to say is a great way to network and get work.
Since Linkedin is a professional/business social networking site one would assume that people would behave... well professionally but since it's a social networking site then some continue to act batshit crazy like they do on Twitter or Facebook.
People in social media really have delusional prone personas....
Founder/Principal/Owner/CEO of a made-up business. I'm still unclear why so many people chose to put up phony business ventures on their Linkedin. I'm giving some the benefit of the doubt that they don't know the difference between freelancing (sole proprietorship) versus a corporation. Although this is not rocket science. If you're the only one working for your "company" then you're not a CEO even if that's the title you gave yourself.
And as it is in most cases I would just like to go on the record and say...people know you don't actually own a business.
Writers and Journalists. Since when does writing a blog make you a writer? or better a journalist? Personally I consider those who get paid to write and write professionally as writers. Those who write articles for newspapers as journalists. And those who write for blogs as bloggers. I write this blog does that make me a writer?... hell no. I'm just someone who writes a blog.
If you "connect" with people that know you... don't stretch the truth. You look like a desperate wannabe. And these fables are really easy to spot. You're potentially harming your image by putting stuff like that on your profile, especially if you're a job seeker.
If you're on Linkedin.. have you see any other examples of people lying or stretching the truth? Please do share =)
Love this, Magda. I've seen people add three or four business they have "founded" i.e. they bought the domain. Good for them for hustling, but I agree with you. Give it time to become an actual business before you announce it on LinkedIn.
ReplyDeleteFelicia
Founder, CEO, and Writer
FeliciaCago.com
You know what you bring up a good point. Owning a domain... doesn't make it a corporation. I've seen that as well.
ReplyDeletePerhaps LinkedIn should request a letter of incorporation with each business? Every state requires one. Still... buying domain makes one think of it as buying a company. That's just the general mentality. Anyhow, good post and, um, are we connected? ;)
ReplyDeleteFirst, I like the word "batshit" a great deal, and plan to weave it into a blog post ASAP. :) I like people who race out and strong arm like 20 people (at once) to write a recommendation for them. So, here we have Joe So-and-so who bee-bops along on Linkedin for months with ZERO recommendations then... within the space of a week...? Voila, 20 recommendations. As a recruiter, I ALWAYS see this as suspect. Recommendations are supposed to grow organically, and come naturally. Not because you, Joe So-and-so bribe your friends. :)
ReplyDelete