LinkedIn's Skills and Expertise Endorsement Feature: What Do You Think?
This addition of this feature on the LinkedIn platform has caused a lot of confusion and controversy. Some have praised it; others think it ought to be done away with ASAP.
In March of last year, LinkedIn discontinued the Specialties section, although those who already had content in this area were grandfathered in, and the content remains. It was replaced by the Skills and Expertise Endorsement feature, which allows you to claim a number of skills/keywords. People may endorse your skills simply by clicking on them.
Unlike the LinkedIn recommendation, which requires time, thought, and effort, skills may be endorsed instantaneously with just a click of the mouse. This is an easy, and very superficial way for someone to acknowledge your skills.
Here's two positive comments
This feature helps to remind us of our contacts, and provide a quick way to say, "I'm thinking about you," perhaps to add life to a dormant relationship.
Before endorsements, there was no validation system for specific listed skills. I could claim non-existent skills in anything: accounting, dentistry, social media, or painting. Who would know the difference? The endorsement feature keeps us honest.
Personally, I Don't like the endorsement feature, as it is too open to abuse.
1) Many people say this feature creates a feeling of obligation to reciprocate. Since Joe endorsed me, I should endorse him back, whether or not I am familiar with Joe's skills or feel inclined to endorse him.
2) Like many LIONs (LinkedIn Open Networkers), my first degree connectins include many people I've never met, including people on other continents. I received an email from one of these connections in another country directing, not requesting, me to endorse him for all his skills.
3) I have received endorsements from people who obviously have never met me—possibly, hoping that I would feel obligated to reciprocate, as just mentioned--as well as from a prankster who created a profile for a man named Holden McGroin (say it out loud).
4) I've also received a note inviting me to participate in a LinkedIn group whose purpose is to "meet other people on LinkedIn" and to "endorse each others' skills." Such bogus endorsements will be indistinguishable from genuine and heartfelt endorsements.
My prediction is that this feature will disappear soon. If it doesn't, it should.
What do you think?
In March of last year, LinkedIn discontinued the Specialties section, although those who already had content in this area were grandfathered in, and the content remains. It was replaced by the Skills and Expertise Endorsement feature, which allows you to claim a number of skills/keywords. People may endorse your skills simply by clicking on them.
Unlike the LinkedIn recommendation, which requires time, thought, and effort, skills may be endorsed instantaneously with just a click of the mouse. This is an easy, and very superficial way for someone to acknowledge your skills.
Here's two positive comments
This feature helps to remind us of our contacts, and provide a quick way to say, "I'm thinking about you," perhaps to add life to a dormant relationship.
Before endorsements, there was no validation system for specific listed skills. I could claim non-existent skills in anything: accounting, dentistry, social media, or painting. Who would know the difference? The endorsement feature keeps us honest.
Personally, I Don't like the endorsement feature, as it is too open to abuse.
1) Many people say this feature creates a feeling of obligation to reciprocate. Since Joe endorsed me, I should endorse him back, whether or not I am familiar with Joe's skills or feel inclined to endorse him.
2) Like many LIONs (LinkedIn Open Networkers), my first degree connectins include many people I've never met, including people on other continents. I received an email from one of these connections in another country directing, not requesting, me to endorse him for all his skills.
3) I have received endorsements from people who obviously have never met me—possibly, hoping that I would feel obligated to reciprocate, as just mentioned--as well as from a prankster who created a profile for a man named Holden McGroin (say it out loud).
4) I've also received a note inviting me to participate in a LinkedIn group whose purpose is to "meet other people on LinkedIn" and to "endorse each others' skills." Such bogus endorsements will be indistinguishable from genuine and heartfelt endorsements.
My prediction is that this feature will disappear soon. If it doesn't, it should.
What do you think?
Nov 25, 2012 by
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