11 common excuses for neglecting LinkedIn in your job search

"Are you using LinkedIn for your job search?" This is one of the first questions I ask my clients when I sit with them. Most of them say they are using it moderately.

Others say they rarely are, and a few admit they aren't using it at all and give excuses for not being on the greatest online networking application there is.

Here are 11 common excuses people have for neglecting LinkedIn.

1. I was told to join LinkedIn when I was working but haven't used it

This is basically saying you don't use LinkedIn. You simply let it sit and take up space. I get this. Your boss or colleague suggested you join but you weren't encouraged to use it for your benefit or the benefit of the organization.

Smart organizations, especially those who believe in the power of B2B, will strongly suggest that LinkedIn be part of your routine.

There are others who have stronger feelings about LinkedIn though, Executive Resume Writer and Storyteller, Virginia Franco, told me she's been told by her clients that they "hate" LinkedIn. For these people, there's no hope.

2. My LinkedIn profile is great as is

One day I received a phone call from a gentleman who wanted to skip my LinkedIn Profile workshop so he could attend the more challenging workshop, Using LinkedIn to Find a job.

While he was talking, unbeknownst to him I was looking at his profile which was sparse and only showed 94 connections. His inflated opinion of his profile was definitely faulty. Perhaps he'd been given poor advice.

3. I posted my résumé on LinkedIn, so I'm done

Similar to excuse number 3. Whoever believes this has their head in the sand. Start your profile by copying and pasting the contents of your résumé to your profile. But that's just a start. From there, you'll turn it into a networking document.

Executive Resume Writer, Adrienne Tom, concurs: "Many job seekers feel that posting their résumé, and just sitting back to wait, will automatically generate hits/opportunities. It usually doesn’t."

Your résumé is a document you send out when applying for a job, while your profile is a place people come to learn about you as a person and professional. The one and done method won't work in this case.

Read this popular article on How to optimize your LinkedIn profile.

4. I don't want to connect with people I don't know

Here's the thing, networking—whether it's in person or online—is about meeting people and developing relationships.

Not everyone will turn out to be a valued connection, but if you don't extend yourself, you'll never know the potential networking offers.

Read The ultimate LinkedIn guide how to connect on LinkedIn.

5. I know I need to network but don't know what to say

This excuse comes courtesy of Career Coach Austin Belcak who can give you plenty of verbiage if you don't know how to reach out to "the unknown." Even if you're reaching out to former colleagues or influential professionals you know, it can be tough.

The best way to solve this problem is to use a reference in your invites. Also don't use an invite to ask for a favor. I can't tell you how many times people have asked me right off the bat if I'd read their LinkedIn profile. This is the time when you offer help first.

6. I don't have the time to use LinkedIn

I hear this often in my LinkedIn workshops. This is a huge excuse. I only ask them to spend 20 minutes, four days a week on LinkedIn. I see some of them shift in their seats, their eyes roll, some groan.

Using LinkedIn to find a job is an important tool in your tool chest. It's worth it to put in the effort to help supplement your overall networking campaign. Job Coach and LinkedIn authority, Ana Lokotkova, advises using LinkedIn as an investment.

Just because I am on LinkedIn approximately 30 minutes a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year doesn't mean my workshop attendees have to do the same. That would be crazy. Nonetheless, here are 11 reasons why I update so often.

7. I don't want to brag

Related to the previous excuse, what you're really saying is you don't want to promote your value to employers and potential business partners.

You're not bragging if you state facts and provide proof of your accomplishments. And avoid using superlatives, like "excellent," "expert," "outstanding." They're empty promises.

Too many people have given me this excuse for not promoting themselves both on their résumé and LinkedIn profile. These are people who have a more difficult time getting to the interview.

8. I don't know how to post a status update

I get this. You're not sure how you can provide your connections with relevant information. Or as Executive Resume Writer Erin Kennedy suggests, you might not be quite sure what to post. She explains, "It's sometimes hard for people to see what they have to offer is something others would really like to hear. Getting started is the first step."

You've just been laid off and lack the confidence to write words of wisdom. Don't sweat it. At first share blog posts from your connections or from publications you enjoy reading. But always keep in mind that you have valuable expertise to share with your network.

This article provides ways to engage with your connection as opposed to just being active.

9. LinkedIn is too complicated

This must be what my college-grad daughter is feeling, as I haven't seen her on LinkedIn...at all. I've also heard this from older job seekers who feel they can't master the technology.

Granted I use LinkedIn on a regular basis, read articles from my colleagues, and have taught it to thousands of job seekers; you don't have to be an authority on LinkedIn to use it. You just have to use it.

10. I'm not getting any calls from recruiters

Career Coach and former recruiter, Sarah Johnston, added this excuse. This is so true; often I hear clients say they're not receiving love from recruiters, so why should they even use LinkedIn? Here's why; it's commonly believed that 87-94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to cull talent. This should be reason enough.

When asked if they should invite recruiters to their network, I tell my clients most definitely. Just make sure they are reputable and are filling positions like yours and are in your industry space.

11. People who do what I do don't need to be on LinkedIn

I agree that not everyone needs to be on LinkedIn. A truck driver, for instance, might have no use for LinkedIn. Yet as I write this, I see there are 642,969 LinkedIn users with the title of driver on their profile. So this excuse is out the window.

Maureen McCann, Executive Career Strategist, points to executive/government official/military officers who have claimed to have no reason for being on LinkedIn. And perhaps their top-secret clearance presents a problem.

She writes, "True there are some positions that are classified, even top secret, and you may not want to broadcast that you're a spy, as an example, but there are plenty of CEOs, government leaders and military professionals making use of LinkedIn.

Ending thought

One young, smug man told me he'd never have to use LinkedIn; he would always have a job as the assistant to the Mayor. He was attending the workshop I was delivering out of curiosity.

After our discussion, he went on a stint of serving coffee, a far cry from what he was doing. He contacted me and asked if I'd review his LinkedIn profile. At first I was inclined to say no, but I couldn't hold his ignorance against him.

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Bob McIntosh, CPRW, is a career trainer who leads more than 17 job search workshops at an urban career center, as well as critiques LinkedIn profiles and conducts mock interviews. Job seekers and staff look to him for advice on the job search. In addition, Bob has gained a reputation as a LinkedIn authority in the community. Bob’s greatest pleasure is helping people find rewarding careers in a competitive job market. For enjoyment, he blogs at Things Career Related. Follow him on LinkedIn.