We’ve shared recently our thoughts on the power of a one-page resume. And, while the resume remains as critical as ever, we’ve also shared that LinkedIn is now doing a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to the recruiting / hiring process. That brings up the question we’re answering on this episode of The Stop Hating Mondays Podcast: “How much is too much information on LinkedIn?”

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TRANSCRIPT

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Kent

Earlier in this season we shared our thoughts on the power of a one-page resume and, while the resume remains as critical as ever, we've also shared that LinkedIn is now doing a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to the recruiting and hiring process.

So this brings us to a great question.

How much is too much information on LinkedIn?

Well, that's a question we got from Julianna and it's the perfect jumping off point for this episode.

I'm Kent, this is Caanan, and you're listening to the Stop Hating Mondays podcast.

Kent

So I'm going to jump right into a question from Juliana on LinkedIn. She's asking, “how much is too much information on LinkedIn?”

Caanan

Well, let me tell you why I like this question.

The question implies that there is such a thing as too much information on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn would like you to believe that's not the case. They would want you to put as much information on there as possible, 'cause it's a content harvesting farm.

Kent

Yeah, they get all your data.

Caanan

So I like that question and I like the mindfulness that is inherent in the question.

Let me just say that, yes, there is such a thing as too much information on LinkedIn. And I would have listeners think back to that conversation about one page resumes, because the general rule applies to LinkedIn.

You've got more leeway on LinkedIn. You've got more space to use. But you still want your profile to be reader friendly. you want it to be quick for people to get through. And you want to honor their time. So you really do need to go in with the concision mindset when you're building out your LinkedIn profile.

Again, you have more space, and you can use that space, but don't go crazy.

I actually have some questions that you can ask yourself when you're considering what should go on LinkedIn.

So, first off, ask yourself, “Is this relevant?”

If the information you're thinking of adding is directly relevant to your career path, great. Add it.

If it's not relevant – if it's just texture – either keep it very concise or consider leaving it off.

You don't have to put all of your experience; you don't have to put everything on LinkedIn.

Next question, the biggest question I would ask myself when considering adding something to LinkedIn.

Is it recent?

If it's not recent, consider leaving it off or keep it very concise.

You always want to have a bias towards recency and, as we just said, relevancy.

Kent

Yeah, so it sounds like a lot of this.

I know you've got one more to share.

A lot of this is about the balance between the SEO… the SEO reach of LinkedIn, but still being mindful that in a perfect world, human beings are looking at this and they only have so much room to consume.

So there's more opportunity, with good reason, specifically with the SEO that LinkedIn can provide, but you still need to realize you're dealing with people who have to consume this.

OK.

Caanan

Yes, people aren't algorithms, so they're not going to process this information like LinkedIn algorithms, so you have to be mindful that actual human beings are looking at your profile.

There's one more critical question to ask yourself.

Kent

What is it that?

Caanan

“Is this something I can share?”

I think people can forget that LinkedIn is social media.

It's publicly available even with all of your settings set to privacy, it's still very available, so you have to ask yourself, “can I share this?”

Kent

Right?

Caanan

Does this compromise my NDA if I have one.

Or – and here's the real kicker – does this even appear to compromise an NDA? Because you may be able to share it, but people reading your profile may perceive what you're sharing is being oversharing G yes and they're not going to hire somebody they think is going to put sensitive information on their LinkedIn profile.

So be very mindful of that.

Kent

OK, we have a question from Aaron, which kind of goes back to something we got into… Tell us a little bit more about how far back people should go on LinkedIn. That's what Aaron is wondering about.

How far back should he go on LinkedIn?

Caanan

Well, I can keep this answer very quick.

You can go back as far as you feel comfortable.

But anything that isn't recent, let's say within the last 10 years, should be very concise. And if it's really irrelevant – we're talking foundational experience that has nothing to do with your current job – leave it off. Nobody needs to see it and it just sort of drags down your profile.

Kent

Yeah, here too.

I think I want to mention ageism.

I think people forget that with LinkedIn you know part of the reason why resumes are succinct and one page, and it's still a best practice to not put dates on education and things like that is because ageism is real.

So even if something seems kind of relevant or tells your job related story, if it's too far back – and in this day and age, yeah, that 10 to 15 year window – you really need to question whether you want to put it out there. Because also those skills you learned in your field 15 years ago are likely not even relevant anymore. So certainly an employer would see that as a good building block, but there's not enough relevancy here too to make it worthwhile; to get too deep into that experience. If you want to put it on there at all.

Kent

oh I love this question and it's one we get. Tell people about some things that they should never get into on LinkedIn. What is too much to share?

Caanan

OK, I'll try to make this as quick as I can and – never say never, here's always a reason that one can find to share something – but as a rule of thumb, unless you're religious and / or political beliefs are a bona fide qualification and align with your career path exactly.

Kent

For what you're pursuing, yes.

Caanan

Then, don't get into them on LinkedIn.

Yeah, it's just not cool and it's not strategic.