POLL: When to update LinkedIn

Question

Hi fellow GMATClubbers,
I am curious on your collective wisdom regarding when to update my LinkedIn profile to add Tuck.

Some context:
- My employer already knows that I'm leaving for grad school
- I'll leave my job in mid-july
- I've updated facebook to show my grad studies (but I don't "friend" any professional contacts)
- I already have a fairly complete LinkedIn profile and do use it today for networking

What do y'all think?

mooze · Answer

I already added Tuck to my linkedin profile. I think its a matter of preference (unless your office doesn't know),...but if you're looking to break into a field like VC, I think it could be valuable to get started early, reach out to some Tuckies via linkedin. I don't see any drawbacks.

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Update whenever. I haven't touched my LinkedIn yet. But that's moreso due to laziness than anything else.

GMATLA · Answer

Don't update your linkedin until your office knows, or you've put your notice in. You don't want someone important catching wind of your leaving before you actually have to leave. Otherwise you might find yourself out of work when you will need the $ most.

I would see if your school has any private facebook or linkedin groups you can join to reach out to your new classmates, but don't make the announcement public knowledge to the world before you need to. You have nothing to gain.

highhopes · Answer

I ask this question completely out of curiosity, but what is the point of updating it?

I'm very literal and I would expect LinkedIn to reflect your current status. I guess it doesn't matter much at this point as it's almost summer, but I have to say, it drives me kind of crazy when I see people update it in the spring time.

Friendly bit of information just in case (not saying this is your intention): many alumni will be annoyed if you start contacting them prior to attending, which I didn't really get as an incoming student, but now completely understand after having been a student. Wait for guidance from your school before reaching out.

method · Answer

I updated mine because, in a sense, it does reflect my current status. They have us on the move for recruiting already, and it's May before the program even begins. The fact that we're capable and expected to network and apply for internships illustrates that we are, as of right now, representatives of our respective MBA programs. I'm glad that I've updated mine because it's a strong signaling effect and I'm already seeing "Someone in the Staffing and Recruiting industry from .... " popping up on my LinkedIn views.

LadyRoadWarrior · Answer

Thanks - it is exactly these sorts of responses I had hoped to hear.
Many who have posted (besides Method) detailed their rationale for being in the "wait" camp. 
Those voting "update now!", care to share your opinion?

ex21 · Answer

We are paying/investing (depending on scholarship and school) upwards of $150k to get the MBA. I will try to squeeze out all I can from my investment. I don't mean I'm going to call every alumni I can think of but if I can update my LinkedIn Status, I'm going to do it as soon as possible (after I tell my company first).

I'm not sure it will make any difference if I wait or not but that's my rationalization for doing it now :-D

!

!

smkwei · Answer

I updated LinkedIn after informing my boss, my CEO, and close colleagues that I have been accepted and intend to matriculate at an MBA program. My boss, CEO, and one of the close colleagues happen to be my recommenders anyway, so they already knew I was on my way. I only updated after I respectfully informed them of my decisions. This, by the way, did not hinder my ability to continue working at my firm until matriculation. I have good relationship with my firm, and we have understanding that just because I am leaving, it does not mean that I cannot still make tremendous impact for the company before my departure. If you are worried about their knowing your next step, I imagine most of you can make the same argument to your companies, and I can only imagine they will concur.

As for my reason to update, I receive quite frequently LinkedIn job opportunities and recruiter contacts. Out of respect and out of my wish to inform my connections early, I wish to let them know that I will be returning to school and will be seeking different types of opportunities and internships during and post MBA. I think this could a good way to jump start your MBA journey.

As for my reason to update, I receive quite frequently LinkedIn job opportunities and recruiter contacts. Out of respect and out of my wish to inform my connections early, I wish to let them know that I will be returning to school and will be seeking different types of opportunities and internships during and post MBA. I think this could a good way to jump start your MBA journey.

LadyRoadWarrior · Answer

Thanks for so clearly articulating why I want to update now. There are no negatives with my current employer who has known about my intent to leave for business school for a year now (and who wrote my recommendations). I am hoping to pre-network a bit, without bombarding alumni etc.

OhDenny · Answer

Hey LRW - I will update as soon as my client knows that I'll be leaving, later this week. (I told my execs and colleagues in February.) I'm waiting to do so because although my main client contacts know, many of the other client staffers (who include LinkedIn connections) do not know, and my main contacts would like to keep it that way for a little longer.

HOWEVER, I would have updated my status as soon as I told my work, were this not the case. The reason? I met plenty of 1st and 2nd years at Welcome Weekend who I had substantive career conversations with, and would have liked to connect with on a professional basis. Without SOM on my LinkedIn, it's hard for me to connect with them without having to remind them who I am, (and, in turn, explaining why I don't have SOM listed yet). Updating 3 months ago would have made it much easier to start that process from the beginning.

Also - the bragging.

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