Spying on potential employer's LinkedIn












9















I know LinkedIn notifies the user when someone visits their profile. I have an interview scheduled in a week with 4 different people from a company. I would like to see what is on their LinkedIn and see if I can learn more about these 4 people before my interview so I go in prepared.



Is that wrong/creepy to learn about my interview panel through LinkedIn, given they would know I viewed their profile? Or would they consider it as a good practice to try and learn my interviewer so I know what to ask to them in specific?



If it is acceptable to look at their LinkedIn profiles, is it also acceptable to ask them questions that I couldn't have asked unless I was on their LinkedIn profile? As in, could I mention "Oh I saw on your LinkedIn profile that you...."?






interviewing linkedin







share|improve this question


















  • 1





    As a side note, you can set it so that people do not know when you view their profile.

    – David K
    30 mins ago











  • @DavidK Thanks for letting me know. I noticed a couple of the users mention that in their answers and that was news to me. I did not know that. But based on Steve's answer, I think I kinda want them to know now!

    – Crazy Cucumber
    15 mins ago
















9















I know LinkedIn notifies the user when someone visits their profile. I have an interview scheduled in a week with 4 different people from a company. I would like to see what is on their LinkedIn and see if I can learn more about these 4 people before my interview so I go in prepared.



Is that wrong/creepy to learn about my interview panel through LinkedIn, given they would know I viewed their profile? Or would they consider it as a good practice to try and learn my interviewer so I know what to ask to them in specific?



If it is acceptable to look at their LinkedIn profiles, is it also acceptable to ask them questions that I couldn't have asked unless I was on their LinkedIn profile? As in, could I mention "Oh I saw on your LinkedIn profile that you...."?






interviewing linkedin







share|improve this question


















  • 1





    As a side note, you can set it so that people do not know when you view their profile.

    – David K
    30 mins ago











  • @DavidK Thanks for letting me know. I noticed a couple of the users mention that in their answers and that was news to me. I did not know that. But based on Steve's answer, I think I kinda want them to know now!

    – Crazy Cucumber
    15 mins ago














9












9








9








I know LinkedIn notifies the user when someone visits their profile. I have an interview scheduled in a week with 4 different people from a company. I would like to see what is on their LinkedIn and see if I can learn more about these 4 people before my interview so I go in prepared.



Is that wrong/creepy to learn about my interview panel through LinkedIn, given they would know I viewed their profile? Or would they consider it as a good practice to try and learn my interviewer so I know what to ask to them in specific?



If it is acceptable to look at their LinkedIn profiles, is it also acceptable to ask them questions that I couldn't have asked unless I was on their LinkedIn profile? As in, could I mention "Oh I saw on your LinkedIn profile that you...."?






interviewing linkedin







share|improve this question














I know LinkedIn notifies the user when someone visits their profile. I have an interview scheduled in a week with 4 different people from a company. I would like to see what is on their LinkedIn and see if I can learn more about these 4 people before my interview so I go in prepared.



Is that wrong/creepy to learn about my interview panel through LinkedIn, given they would know I viewed their profile? Or would they consider it as a good practice to try and learn my interviewer so I know what to ask to them in specific?



If it is acceptable to look at their LinkedIn profiles, is it also acceptable to ask them questions that I couldn't have asked unless I was on their LinkedIn profile? As in, could I mention "Oh I saw on your LinkedIn profile that you...."?






interviewing linkedin




interviewing linkedin






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 1 hour ago









Crazy CucumberCrazy Cucumber

1645




1645








  • 1





    As a side note, you can set it so that people do not know when you view their profile.

    – David K
    30 mins ago











  • @DavidK Thanks for letting me know. I noticed a couple of the users mention that in their answers and that was news to me. I did not know that. But based on Steve's answer, I think I kinda want them to know now!

    – Crazy Cucumber
    15 mins ago














  • 1





    As a side note, you can set it so that people do not know when you view their profile.

    – David K
    30 mins ago











  • @DavidK Thanks for letting me know. I noticed a couple of the users mention that in their answers and that was news to me. I did not know that. But based on Steve's answer, I think I kinda want them to know now!

    – Crazy Cucumber
    15 mins ago








1




1





As a side note, you can set it so that people do not know when you view their profile.

– David K
30 mins ago





As a side note, you can set it so that people do not know when you view their profile.

– David K
30 mins ago













@DavidK Thanks for letting me know. I noticed a couple of the users mention that in their answers and that was news to me. I did not know that. But based on Steve's answer, I think I kinda want them to know now!

– Crazy Cucumber
15 mins ago





@DavidK Thanks for letting me know. I noticed a couple of the users mention that in their answers and that was news to me. I did not know that. But based on Steve's answer, I think I kinda want them to know now!

– Crazy Cucumber
15 mins ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















13














The whole point of LinkedIn is to allow users to share business, and in some cases personal, information about themselves. The converse is also true; allowing you to view business and professional information of a potential employer, customer, business partner or other business relationship.



Honestly, as an employer, I'd be disappointed and surprised if you didn't look at available information about my company and employees on LinkedIn.






share|improve this answer
























  • That is a very interesting answer. I did not expect this at all. Do you think, from your experience, most employers would have this mindset about their candidates looking at their LinkedIn profiles before the interview?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago











  • I think most would, from my experience it is expected.

    – Steve
    37 mins ago



















6














If I were one of the interviewers, I would view it as good research and a positive indicator about your interest in the job.



I would however stay away from asking any questions about info you found out on LinkedIn that is not directly relevant to the job you are interviewing for unless they volunteer the information. The fact that you went to the same university or have a shared previous employer doesn't apply to your qualifications for this job. If they pick that up from your resume and bring it up, then by all means engage that discussion. You don't want it to look like you're using that other information to get around your qualifications.






share|improve this answer
























  • So if I spot something like say "we both love using this one technology" and the position I am interviewing for is also in the same position, could I mention that I noticed on their LinkedIn that it is their favorite technology, as is mine, as a way to demonstrate a connection/interest in the position?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    If that technology is not part of the actual job description, I would not bring it up first. For example, you both think Python is really cool, but the job is about C++.

    – cdkMoose
    1 hour ago













  • Thank you, this was helpful.

    – Crazy Cucumber
    57 mins ago



















4














You can make your visits invisible to people whose profiles you visit.



But I have actually visited profiles of my would-be-bosses and coworkers without making my visits invisible. Many of my interviewers also visited my profile. I don't think this is a problem.



Mentioning what you found on their profiles is too much though. It has a stalker vibe to it. I wouldn't do it. Instead, you should be smart about it and use this info to prepare for your interview without referring to the data directly.






share|improve this answer



















  • 1





    +1 for "Mentioning what you found... has a stalker vibe to it"

    – J. Chris Compton
    17 mins ago











Your Answer








StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "423"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});

function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: false,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});


}
});














draft saved

draft discarded


















StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f127029%2fspying-on-potential-employers-linkedin%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown




















StackExchange.ready(function () {
$("#show-editor-button input, #show-editor-button button").click(function () {
var showEditor = function() {
$("#show-editor-button").hide();
$("#post-form").removeClass("dno");
StackExchange.editor.finallyInit();
};

var useFancy = $(this).data('confirm-use-fancy');
if(useFancy == 'True') {
var popupTitle = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-title');
var popupBody = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-body');
var popupAccept = $(this).data('confirm-fancy-accept-button');

$(this).loadPopup({
url: '/post/self-answer-popup',
loaded: function(popup) {
var pTitle = $(popup).find('h2');
var pBody = $(popup).find('.popup-body');
var pSubmit = $(popup).find('.popup-submit');

pTitle.text(popupTitle);
pBody.html(popupBody);
pSubmit.val(popupAccept).click(showEditor);
}
})
} else{
var confirmText = $(this).data('confirm-text');
if (confirmText ? confirm(confirmText) : true) {
showEditor();
}
}
});
});






3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes








3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









13














The whole point of LinkedIn is to allow users to share business, and in some cases personal, information about themselves. The converse is also true; allowing you to view business and professional information of a potential employer, customer, business partner or other business relationship.



Honestly, as an employer, I'd be disappointed and surprised if you didn't look at available information about my company and employees on LinkedIn.






share|improve this answer
























  • That is a very interesting answer. I did not expect this at all. Do you think, from your experience, most employers would have this mindset about their candidates looking at their LinkedIn profiles before the interview?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago











  • I think most would, from my experience it is expected.

    – Steve
    37 mins ago
















13














The whole point of LinkedIn is to allow users to share business, and in some cases personal, information about themselves. The converse is also true; allowing you to view business and professional information of a potential employer, customer, business partner or other business relationship.



Honestly, as an employer, I'd be disappointed and surprised if you didn't look at available information about my company and employees on LinkedIn.






share|improve this answer
























  • That is a very interesting answer. I did not expect this at all. Do you think, from your experience, most employers would have this mindset about their candidates looking at their LinkedIn profiles before the interview?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago











  • I think most would, from my experience it is expected.

    – Steve
    37 mins ago














13












13








13







The whole point of LinkedIn is to allow users to share business, and in some cases personal, information about themselves. The converse is also true; allowing you to view business and professional information of a potential employer, customer, business partner or other business relationship.



Honestly, as an employer, I'd be disappointed and surprised if you didn't look at available information about my company and employees on LinkedIn.






share|improve this answer













The whole point of LinkedIn is to allow users to share business, and in some cases personal, information about themselves. The converse is also true; allowing you to view business and professional information of a potential employer, customer, business partner or other business relationship.



Honestly, as an employer, I'd be disappointed and surprised if you didn't look at available information about my company and employees on LinkedIn.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 1 hour ago









SteveSteve

4,31431331




4,31431331













  • That is a very interesting answer. I did not expect this at all. Do you think, from your experience, most employers would have this mindset about their candidates looking at their LinkedIn profiles before the interview?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago











  • I think most would, from my experience it is expected.

    – Steve
    37 mins ago



















  • That is a very interesting answer. I did not expect this at all. Do you think, from your experience, most employers would have this mindset about their candidates looking at their LinkedIn profiles before the interview?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago











  • I think most would, from my experience it is expected.

    – Steve
    37 mins ago

















That is a very interesting answer. I did not expect this at all. Do you think, from your experience, most employers would have this mindset about their candidates looking at their LinkedIn profiles before the interview?

– Crazy Cucumber
1 hour ago





That is a very interesting answer. I did not expect this at all. Do you think, from your experience, most employers would have this mindset about their candidates looking at their LinkedIn profiles before the interview?

– Crazy Cucumber
1 hour ago













I think most would, from my experience it is expected.

– Steve
37 mins ago





I think most would, from my experience it is expected.

– Steve
37 mins ago













6














If I were one of the interviewers, I would view it as good research and a positive indicator about your interest in the job.



I would however stay away from asking any questions about info you found out on LinkedIn that is not directly relevant to the job you are interviewing for unless they volunteer the information. The fact that you went to the same university or have a shared previous employer doesn't apply to your qualifications for this job. If they pick that up from your resume and bring it up, then by all means engage that discussion. You don't want it to look like you're using that other information to get around your qualifications.






share|improve this answer
























  • So if I spot something like say "we both love using this one technology" and the position I am interviewing for is also in the same position, could I mention that I noticed on their LinkedIn that it is their favorite technology, as is mine, as a way to demonstrate a connection/interest in the position?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    If that technology is not part of the actual job description, I would not bring it up first. For example, you both think Python is really cool, but the job is about C++.

    – cdkMoose
    1 hour ago













  • Thank you, this was helpful.

    – Crazy Cucumber
    57 mins ago
















6














If I were one of the interviewers, I would view it as good research and a positive indicator about your interest in the job.



I would however stay away from asking any questions about info you found out on LinkedIn that is not directly relevant to the job you are interviewing for unless they volunteer the information. The fact that you went to the same university or have a shared previous employer doesn't apply to your qualifications for this job. If they pick that up from your resume and bring it up, then by all means engage that discussion. You don't want it to look like you're using that other information to get around your qualifications.






share|improve this answer
























  • So if I spot something like say "we both love using this one technology" and the position I am interviewing for is also in the same position, could I mention that I noticed on their LinkedIn that it is their favorite technology, as is mine, as a way to demonstrate a connection/interest in the position?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    If that technology is not part of the actual job description, I would not bring it up first. For example, you both think Python is really cool, but the job is about C++.

    – cdkMoose
    1 hour ago













  • Thank you, this was helpful.

    – Crazy Cucumber
    57 mins ago














6












6








6







If I were one of the interviewers, I would view it as good research and a positive indicator about your interest in the job.



I would however stay away from asking any questions about info you found out on LinkedIn that is not directly relevant to the job you are interviewing for unless they volunteer the information. The fact that you went to the same university or have a shared previous employer doesn't apply to your qualifications for this job. If they pick that up from your resume and bring it up, then by all means engage that discussion. You don't want it to look like you're using that other information to get around your qualifications.






share|improve this answer













If I were one of the interviewers, I would view it as good research and a positive indicator about your interest in the job.



I would however stay away from asking any questions about info you found out on LinkedIn that is not directly relevant to the job you are interviewing for unless they volunteer the information. The fact that you went to the same university or have a shared previous employer doesn't apply to your qualifications for this job. If they pick that up from your resume and bring it up, then by all means engage that discussion. You don't want it to look like you're using that other information to get around your qualifications.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 1 hour ago









cdkMoosecdkMoose

10.9k32347




10.9k32347













  • So if I spot something like say "we both love using this one technology" and the position I am interviewing for is also in the same position, could I mention that I noticed on their LinkedIn that it is their favorite technology, as is mine, as a way to demonstrate a connection/interest in the position?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    If that technology is not part of the actual job description, I would not bring it up first. For example, you both think Python is really cool, but the job is about C++.

    – cdkMoose
    1 hour ago













  • Thank you, this was helpful.

    – Crazy Cucumber
    57 mins ago



















  • So if I spot something like say "we both love using this one technology" and the position I am interviewing for is also in the same position, could I mention that I noticed on their LinkedIn that it is their favorite technology, as is mine, as a way to demonstrate a connection/interest in the position?

    – Crazy Cucumber
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    If that technology is not part of the actual job description, I would not bring it up first. For example, you both think Python is really cool, but the job is about C++.

    – cdkMoose
    1 hour ago













  • Thank you, this was helpful.

    – Crazy Cucumber
    57 mins ago

















So if I spot something like say "we both love using this one technology" and the position I am interviewing for is also in the same position, could I mention that I noticed on their LinkedIn that it is their favorite technology, as is mine, as a way to demonstrate a connection/interest in the position?

– Crazy Cucumber
1 hour ago





So if I spot something like say "we both love using this one technology" and the position I am interviewing for is also in the same position, could I mention that I noticed on their LinkedIn that it is their favorite technology, as is mine, as a way to demonstrate a connection/interest in the position?

– Crazy Cucumber
1 hour ago




1




1





If that technology is not part of the actual job description, I would not bring it up first. For example, you both think Python is really cool, but the job is about C++.

– cdkMoose
1 hour ago







If that technology is not part of the actual job description, I would not bring it up first. For example, you both think Python is really cool, but the job is about C++.

– cdkMoose
1 hour ago















Thank you, this was helpful.

– Crazy Cucumber
57 mins ago





Thank you, this was helpful.

– Crazy Cucumber
57 mins ago











4














You can make your visits invisible to people whose profiles you visit.



But I have actually visited profiles of my would-be-bosses and coworkers without making my visits invisible. Many of my interviewers also visited my profile. I don't think this is a problem.



Mentioning what you found on their profiles is too much though. It has a stalker vibe to it. I wouldn't do it. Instead, you should be smart about it and use this info to prepare for your interview without referring to the data directly.






share|improve this answer



















  • 1





    +1 for "Mentioning what you found... has a stalker vibe to it"

    – J. Chris Compton
    17 mins ago
















4














You can make your visits invisible to people whose profiles you visit.



But I have actually visited profiles of my would-be-bosses and coworkers without making my visits invisible. Many of my interviewers also visited my profile. I don't think this is a problem.



Mentioning what you found on their profiles is too much though. It has a stalker vibe to it. I wouldn't do it. Instead, you should be smart about it and use this info to prepare for your interview without referring to the data directly.






share|improve this answer



















  • 1





    +1 for "Mentioning what you found... has a stalker vibe to it"

    – J. Chris Compton
    17 mins ago














4












4








4







You can make your visits invisible to people whose profiles you visit.



But I have actually visited profiles of my would-be-bosses and coworkers without making my visits invisible. Many of my interviewers also visited my profile. I don't think this is a problem.



Mentioning what you found on their profiles is too much though. It has a stalker vibe to it. I wouldn't do it. Instead, you should be smart about it and use this info to prepare for your interview without referring to the data directly.






share|improve this answer













You can make your visits invisible to people whose profiles you visit.



But I have actually visited profiles of my would-be-bosses and coworkers without making my visits invisible. Many of my interviewers also visited my profile. I don't think this is a problem.



Mentioning what you found on their profiles is too much though. It has a stalker vibe to it. I wouldn't do it. Instead, you should be smart about it and use this info to prepare for your interview without referring to the data directly.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 1 hour ago









BigMadAndyBigMadAndy

12k92157




12k92157








  • 1





    +1 for "Mentioning what you found... has a stalker vibe to it"

    – J. Chris Compton
    17 mins ago














  • 1





    +1 for "Mentioning what you found... has a stalker vibe to it"

    – J. Chris Compton
    17 mins ago








1




1





+1 for "Mentioning what you found... has a stalker vibe to it"

– J. Chris Compton
17 mins ago





+1 for "Mentioning what you found... has a stalker vibe to it"

– J. Chris Compton
17 mins ago


















draft saved

draft discarded




















































Thanks for contributing an answer to The Workplace Stack Exchange!


  • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

But avoid …



  • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

  • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




draft saved


draft discarded














StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f127029%2fspying-on-potential-employers-linkedin%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown





















































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown

































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown











-

Popular posts from this blog

Aikido

Image
Ĉi tiu artikolo citas neniun fonton . Vi povas plibonigi ĝin, aldonante fidindajn fontojn. Senfontaj asertoj povas esti forigitaj.  (Novembro 2012) Aikido Japana Nomo: Kanji 合気道 Hiragana あいきどう Spiradaj ekzercoj Aikido , aŭ Ajkido , estas moderna japana luktarto (Shin Budo) kompilita de Ueshiba Morihei dum la periodo inter la 1930-aj jaroj ĝis 1960-aj jaroj. Ĝi estas senperforta kaj multaj el ĝiaj teĥnikoj evoluis el Daito-Rjuo (speco de ĵuĵicuo) kaj el glava batalado. La filozofio de aikido devenis ĉefe de la religio Oomoto pro la kontaktoj inter O´Sensei ("granda majstro", esprimo uzata de la aikidistoj por nomi Ueshiba Morihei) kaj Deguchi Onisaburo Sensei el Oomoto. Oni konsideras, ke aikidisto havu iom da spiriteco, interalie pri la uzo de la Ĉi, KI, ĝi postulas nenuran teknikan trejnon. La nepo de la kreinto, Ueshiba Moriteru, nun estas "Doshu", tiu kiu montras la vojon. Enhavo 1 Aikido - Oomoto - Esperanto...
Read more

Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka

Image
Ponto de Mostar Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka [tivadar ĉontvAri kostka], hungare Csontváry Kosztka Tivadar estis indivudueca hungara pentristo kaj apotekisto. En la hungara medio sufiĉas Csontváry. Memportreto de Csontváry Ruinoj de greka teatro en Taormina Pilgrimado al cedroj Soleca cedro Skulptaĵo pri Csontváry Enhavo 1 Vivo 2 Verkaro 3 Postvivo 4 Figuro de Csontváry en artoj 4.1 Filmoj 4.2 Romano 4.3 Dramo 4.4 Esperanto Vivo | Csontváry naskiĝis en Kisszeben en la 5-an de julio 1853 (kiel Kosztka Mihály Tivadar ), li mortis en Budapeŝto, en la 20-a de junio 1919. Lia patro Kosztka László estis apotekisto, tiun profesion praktikadis ankaŭ Tivadar. En 1880 antaŭ la apoteko li desegnis sur apoteka papereto ĉaron kun bovoj. Tiun ekvidis la ĉefapotekisto kaj ekkriis: „Ja vi naskiĝis pentristo!”. Tiam Csontváry aŭdis ankaŭ dian voĉon: „Vi estos la plej granda sunovoja pentristo de la mondo, pli granda, ol Raf...
Read more

Metroo de Marsejlo

Image
Metroo de Marsejlo Logoo Ĝeneralaj informoj Loko Marsejlo  Francio Transportsistema speco Metroo Komenco de trafiko 26-a de novembro 1977 Teknikaj informoj Longeco de sistemo 21,6 km Nombro de linioj 2 Nombro de veturiloj 36 Nombro de stacioj 28 (+ 2 interkonektoj) Aliaj informoj Traklarĝo 1 435 mm Transportisto RTM v   •   d   •   r La Metroo de Marsejlo (Francio) (france  Métro de Marseille ) estas metrosistemo funkcianta per pneŭoj derivita de la teknologio disvolvigita de la RATP por la metroo de Parizo. Ĝi malfermiĝis unuafoje al la publiko en la jaro 1977. Ĝi konsistas el du linioj, parte subteraj, kun longeco de entute 21,6 km , situantaj nur en la municipo Marsejlo. Nuntempe konstruiĝas du plilongigaĵoj. Enhavo 1 Mapo 2 Metrolinioj 2.1 Linio 1 2.2 Linio 2 3 Vidu ankaŭ 4 Eksteraj ligiloj Mapo | Mapo de la metroo de Marsejlo Metrolinioj | ...
Read more