Job Search Advice - My Boss Saw My LinkedIn Profile - Now What?

Even if you're trying to keep your job search quiet,the company professionally, and you want to
you need a LinkedIn profile. That's because it's onerepresent yourself professionally, and you're trying to
of the most effective job search tools you have:learn the new techniques in marketing.
LinkedIn is outstanding for research, connections, andWho wouldn't like that?
recommendations. However, having a profile causes aYour manager doesn't have to see that you're
dilemma for some candidates: what happens whenmessaging people about jobs. You don't even have
your boss sees it and gets angry about it? (It's ato officially connect to people in order to speak with
valid concern...lots of managers could take issue withthem. You can contact recruiters, for instance,
you looking for another job.) How will you explainwithout connecting with them.
yourself?Keep this in mind, also: Unless your boss has a LOT
It's easier than you think.of time on his or her hands, it's going to be very
You've got to remember that LinkedIn is a socialdifficult for him or her to go around policing
networking tool-it's not a job board, or a job searchemployee's LinkedIn profiles.
site. You're not visibly applying to anything, or evenHowever, that doesn't mean you should get on there
posting that you're looking for a job. You are justand say that you can't stand your boss and you're
posting a very professional profile that says quite alooking for a new job-that could get you some
bit about you that your customers or otherattention you don't want!
professional contacts will see. You want to representOtherwise, you'll be fine.