I looked up a future colleague on LinkedIn before I started a job. I told my colleague about it and he seemed...
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14
I was thinking about this and was wondering if my behavior is unethical - the information was public, and I didn't think much of doing so at the time.
ethics
edited 3 hours ago
Peter Mortensen
60257
asked 10 hours ago
M VM V
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14
I was thinking about this and was wondering if my behavior is unethical - the information was public, and I didn't think much of doing so at the time.
ethics
edited 3 hours ago
Peter Mortensen
60257
asked 10 hours ago
M VM V
7713
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M V is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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40
Would absolutely not consider this creepy. You have every right to research a potential new company/team/coworker prior to joining the group. Now if you started digging into their home life or friending them on Facebook, that's a little different.
– Havegooda
10 hours ago
27
LinkedIn is the professional face that they present to the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking it out the LinkedIn of a contact in a professional setting.
– Myles
10 hours ago
6
@Fattie LinkedIn is different than social media. The goal of the platform is for professionals to connect. If you put a public facing profile online, you shouldn't be surprised if someone views it.
– SaggingRufus
9 hours ago
27
Isn't this one of the primary use cases for LinkedIn?
– Glen Pierce
9 hours ago
12
If you don't want people looking at your LinkedIn profile don't create one. Otherwise yes it is fair game. I research whom I will be working with just as I research the employer sort of a no-brainer. I research Dr. profiles as well before I go and visit them. I like to know the skill levels of whom I will be working with, for, or supervising a head of time. Also can be used as a conversation starter. "Hey I noticed on your LI profile you know C++ I would like to know more"
– C0r3yh
7 hours ago
|
show 15 more comments
14
14
14
I was thinking about this and was wondering if my behavior is unethical - the information was public, and I didn't think much of doing so at the time.
ethics
edited 3 hours ago
Peter Mortensen
60257
asked 10 hours ago
M VM V
7713
New contributor
M V is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I was thinking about this and was wondering if my behavior is unethical - the information was public, and I didn't think much of doing so at the time.
ethics
ethics
edited 3 hours ago
Peter Mortensen
60257
asked 10 hours ago
M VM V
7713
New contributor
M V is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
Peter Mortensen
60257
asked 10 hours ago
M VM V
7713
New contributor
M V is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
Peter Mortensen
60257
edited 3 hours ago
Peter Mortensen
60257
edited 3 hours ago
Peter Mortensen
60257
60257
asked 10 hours ago
M VM V
7713
New contributor
M V is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 10 hours ago
M VM V
7713
asked 10 hours ago
M VM V
7713
7713
New contributor
M V is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
M V is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
M V is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
40
Would absolutely not consider this creepy. You have every right to research a potential new company/team/coworker prior to joining the group. Now if you started digging into their home life or friending them on Facebook, that's a little different.
– Havegooda
10 hours ago
27
LinkedIn is the professional face that they present to the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking it out the LinkedIn of a contact in a professional setting.
– Myles
10 hours ago
6
@Fattie LinkedIn is different than social media. The goal of the platform is for professionals to connect. If you put a public facing profile online, you shouldn't be surprised if someone views it.
– SaggingRufus
9 hours ago
27
Isn't this one of the primary use cases for LinkedIn?
– Glen Pierce
9 hours ago
12
If you don't want people looking at your LinkedIn profile don't create one. Otherwise yes it is fair game. I research whom I will be working with just as I research the employer sort of a no-brainer. I research Dr. profiles as well before I go and visit them. I like to know the skill levels of whom I will be working with, for, or supervising a head of time. Also can be used as a conversation starter. "Hey I noticed on your LI profile you know C++ I would like to know more"
– C0r3yh
7 hours ago
|
show 15 more comments
40
Would absolutely not consider this creepy. You have every right to research a potential new company/team/coworker prior to joining the group. Now if you started digging into their home life or friending them on Facebook, that's a little different.
– Havegooda
10 hours ago
27
LinkedIn is the professional face that they present to the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking it out the LinkedIn of a contact in a professional setting.
– Myles
10 hours ago
6
@Fattie LinkedIn is different than social media. The goal of the platform is for professionals to connect. If you put a public facing profile online, you shouldn't be surprised if someone views it.
– SaggingRufus
9 hours ago
27
Isn't this one of the primary use cases for LinkedIn?
– Glen Pierce
9 hours ago
12
If you don't want people looking at your LinkedIn profile don't create one. Otherwise yes it is fair game. I research whom I will be working with just as I research the employer sort of a no-brainer. I research Dr. profiles as well before I go and visit them. I like to know the skill levels of whom I will be working with, for, or supervising a head of time. Also can be used as a conversation starter. "Hey I noticed on your LI profile you know C++ I would like to know more"
– C0r3yh
7 hours ago
40
40
Would absolutely not consider this creepy. You have every right to research a potential new company/team/coworker prior to joining the group. Now if you started digging into their home life or friending them on Facebook, that's a little different.
– Havegooda
10 hours ago
Would absolutely not consider this creepy. You have every right to research a potential new company/team/coworker prior to joining the group. Now if you started digging into their home life or friending them on Facebook, that's a little different.
– Havegooda
10 hours ago
27
27
LinkedIn is the professional face that they present to the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking it out the LinkedIn of a contact in a professional setting.
– Myles
10 hours ago
LinkedIn is the professional face that they present to the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking it out the LinkedIn of a contact in a professional setting.
– Myles
10 hours ago
6
6
@Fattie LinkedIn is different than social media. The goal of the platform is for professionals to connect. If you put a public facing profile online, you shouldn't be surprised if someone views it.
– SaggingRufus
9 hours ago
@Fattie LinkedIn is different than social media. The goal of the platform is for professionals to connect. If you put a public facing profile online, you shouldn't be surprised if someone views it.
– SaggingRufus
9 hours ago
27
27
Isn't this one of the primary use cases for LinkedIn?
– Glen Pierce
9 hours ago
Isn't this one of the primary use cases for LinkedIn?
– Glen Pierce
9 hours ago
12
12
If you don't want people looking at your LinkedIn profile don't create one. Otherwise yes it is fair game. I research whom I will be working with just as I research the employer sort of a no-brainer. I research Dr. profiles as well before I go and visit them. I like to know the skill levels of whom I will be working with, for, or supervising a head of time. Also can be used as a conversation starter. "Hey I noticed on your LI profile you know C++ I would like to know more"
– C0r3yh
7 hours ago
If you don't want people looking at your LinkedIn profile don't create one. Otherwise yes it is fair game. I research whom I will be working with just as I research the employer sort of a no-brainer. I research Dr. profiles as well before I go and visit them. I like to know the skill levels of whom I will be working with, for, or supervising a head of time. Also can be used as a conversation starter. "Hey I noticed on your LI profile you know C++ I would like to know more"
– C0r3yh
7 hours ago
|
show 15 more comments
1 Answer
1
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62
No. Don't apologize. Had it happen to me, and I've done it myself. If a person doesn't want their profile accessed, they shouldn't make it publicly available. There is nothing wrong with that.
answered 10 hours ago
KeithKeith
3,3532721
39
Not only is there nothing wrong with it, but LinkedIn essentially exists purely to allow and support professional networking. Checking out the people who work for a potential or future employer is a very common use case of "professional networking" and I would be quite surprised if someone found it unusual.
– dwizum
10 hours ago
4
But the OP did more than accessing the profile. He also made a point of telling that he did. I have LinkedIn account. I expect people to access it. I would find it creepy if someone I don't know came to me saying he'd checked me out on LinkedIn.
– Abigail
9 hours ago
4
I imagine you'd think it would be REALLY creepy if he had asked to connect? I don't see a problem with someone accessing my public social media profile that I create. They can then feel free to discuss it with me if they want.
– Keith
8 hours ago
8
@sf02 Uh, "colleague", not anonymous person. I get people contacting me via LinkedIn to ask questions. Sometimes I know them. It gives them a way to break the ice too by knowing how long you've been at the company, where you previously worked, went to school, etc. What's creepier? Someone states where they learned something about you or when they don't tell you where they learned it?
– mkennedy
7 hours ago
8
@sf02 yes of course it is.
– edc65
7 hours ago
|
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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62
No. Don't apologize. Had it happen to me, and I've done it myself. If a person doesn't want their profile accessed, they shouldn't make it publicly available. There is nothing wrong with that.
answered 10 hours ago
KeithKeith
3,3532721
39
Not only is there nothing wrong with it, but LinkedIn essentially exists purely to allow and support professional networking. Checking out the people who work for a potential or future employer is a very common use case of "professional networking" and I would be quite surprised if someone found it unusual.
– dwizum
10 hours ago
4
But the OP did more than accessing the profile. He also made a point of telling that he did. I have LinkedIn account. I expect people to access it. I would find it creepy if someone I don't know came to me saying he'd checked me out on LinkedIn.
– Abigail
9 hours ago
4
I imagine you'd think it would be REALLY creepy if he had asked to connect? I don't see a problem with someone accessing my public social media profile that I create. They can then feel free to discuss it with me if they want.
– Keith
8 hours ago
8
@sf02 Uh, "colleague", not anonymous person. I get people contacting me via LinkedIn to ask questions. Sometimes I know them. It gives them a way to break the ice too by knowing how long you've been at the company, where you previously worked, went to school, etc. What's creepier? Someone states where they learned something about you or when they don't tell you where they learned it?
– mkennedy
7 hours ago
8
@sf02 yes of course it is.
– edc65
7 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
62
No. Don't apologize. Had it happen to me, and I've done it myself. If a person doesn't want their profile accessed, they shouldn't make it publicly available. There is nothing wrong with that.
answered 10 hours ago
KeithKeith
3,3532721
39
Not only is there nothing wrong with it, but LinkedIn essentially exists purely to allow and support professional networking. Checking out the people who work for a potential or future employer is a very common use case of "professional networking" and I would be quite surprised if someone found it unusual.
– dwizum
10 hours ago
4
But the OP did more than accessing the profile. He also made a point of telling that he did. I have LinkedIn account. I expect people to access it. I would find it creepy if someone I don't know came to me saying he'd checked me out on LinkedIn.
– Abigail
9 hours ago
4
I imagine you'd think it would be REALLY creepy if he had asked to connect? I don't see a problem with someone accessing my public social media profile that I create. They can then feel free to discuss it with me if they want.
– Keith
8 hours ago
8
@sf02 Uh, "colleague", not anonymous person. I get people contacting me via LinkedIn to ask questions. Sometimes I know them. It gives them a way to break the ice too by knowing how long you've been at the company, where you previously worked, went to school, etc. What's creepier? Someone states where they learned something about you or when they don't tell you where they learned it?
– mkennedy
7 hours ago
8
@sf02 yes of course it is.
– edc65
7 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
62
62
62
No. Don't apologize. Had it happen to me, and I've done it myself. If a person doesn't want their profile accessed, they shouldn't make it publicly available. There is nothing wrong with that.
answered 10 hours ago
KeithKeith
3,3532721
No. Don't apologize. Had it happen to me, and I've done it myself. If a person doesn't want their profile accessed, they shouldn't make it publicly available. There is nothing wrong with that.
answered 10 hours ago
KeithKeith
3,3532721
answered 10 hours ago
KeithKeith
3,3532721
answered 10 hours ago
KeithKeith
3,3532721
answered 10 hours ago
KeithKeith
3,3532721
3,3532721
39
Not only is there nothing wrong with it, but LinkedIn essentially exists purely to allow and support professional networking. Checking out the people who work for a potential or future employer is a very common use case of "professional networking" and I would be quite surprised if someone found it unusual.
– dwizum
10 hours ago
4
But the OP did more than accessing the profile. He also made a point of telling that he did. I have LinkedIn account. I expect people to access it. I would find it creepy if someone I don't know came to me saying he'd checked me out on LinkedIn.
– Abigail
9 hours ago
4
I imagine you'd think it would be REALLY creepy if he had asked to connect? I don't see a problem with someone accessing my public social media profile that I create. They can then feel free to discuss it with me if they want.
– Keith
8 hours ago
8
@sf02 Uh, "colleague", not anonymous person. I get people contacting me via LinkedIn to ask questions. Sometimes I know them. It gives them a way to break the ice too by knowing how long you've been at the company, where you previously worked, went to school, etc. What's creepier? Someone states where they learned something about you or when they don't tell you where they learned it?
– mkennedy
7 hours ago
8
@sf02 yes of course it is.
– edc65
7 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
39
Not only is there nothing wrong with it, but LinkedIn essentially exists purely to allow and support professional networking. Checking out the people who work for a potential or future employer is a very common use case of "professional networking" and I would be quite surprised if someone found it unusual.
– dwizum
10 hours ago
4
But the OP did more than accessing the profile. He also made a point of telling that he did. I have LinkedIn account. I expect people to access it. I would find it creepy if someone I don't know came to me saying he'd checked me out on LinkedIn.
– Abigail
9 hours ago
4
I imagine you'd think it would be REALLY creepy if he had asked to connect? I don't see a problem with someone accessing my public social media profile that I create. They can then feel free to discuss it with me if they want.
– Keith
8 hours ago
8
@sf02 Uh, "colleague", not anonymous person. I get people contacting me via LinkedIn to ask questions. Sometimes I know them. It gives them a way to break the ice too by knowing how long you've been at the company, where you previously worked, went to school, etc. What's creepier? Someone states where they learned something about you or when they don't tell you where they learned it?
– mkennedy
7 hours ago
8
@sf02 yes of course it is.
– edc65
7 hours ago
39
39
Not only is there nothing wrong with it, but LinkedIn essentially exists purely to allow and support professional networking. Checking out the people who work for a potential or future employer is a very common use case of "professional networking" and I would be quite surprised if someone found it unusual.
– dwizum
10 hours ago
Not only is there nothing wrong with it, but LinkedIn essentially exists purely to allow and support professional networking. Checking out the people who work for a potential or future employer is a very common use case of "professional networking" and I would be quite surprised if someone found it unusual.
– dwizum
10 hours ago
4
4
But the OP did more than accessing the profile. He also made a point of telling that he did. I have LinkedIn account. I expect people to access it. I would find it creepy if someone I don't know came to me saying he'd checked me out on LinkedIn.
– Abigail
9 hours ago
But the OP did more than accessing the profile. He also made a point of telling that he did. I have LinkedIn account. I expect people to access it. I would find it creepy if someone I don't know came to me saying he'd checked me out on LinkedIn.
– Abigail
9 hours ago
4
4
I imagine you'd think it would be REALLY creepy if he had asked to connect? I don't see a problem with someone accessing my public social media profile that I create. They can then feel free to discuss it with me if they want.
– Keith
8 hours ago
I imagine you'd think it would be REALLY creepy if he had asked to connect? I don't see a problem with someone accessing my public social media profile that I create. They can then feel free to discuss it with me if they want.
– Keith
8 hours ago
8
8
@sf02 Uh, "colleague", not anonymous person. I get people contacting me via LinkedIn to ask questions. Sometimes I know them. It gives them a way to break the ice too by knowing how long you've been at the company, where you previously worked, went to school, etc. What's creepier? Someone states where they learned something about you or when they don't tell you where they learned it?
– mkennedy
7 hours ago
@sf02 Uh, "colleague", not anonymous person. I get people contacting me via LinkedIn to ask questions. Sometimes I know them. It gives them a way to break the ice too by knowing how long you've been at the company, where you previously worked, went to school, etc. What's creepier? Someone states where they learned something about you or when they don't tell you where they learned it?
– mkennedy
7 hours ago
8
8
@sf02 yes of course it is.
– edc65
7 hours ago
@sf02 yes of course it is.
– edc65
7 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
M V is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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40
Would absolutely not consider this creepy. You have every right to research a potential new company/team/coworker prior to joining the group. Now if you started digging into their home life or friending them on Facebook, that's a little different.
– Havegooda
10 hours ago
27
LinkedIn is the professional face that they present to the world. There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking it out the LinkedIn of a contact in a professional setting.
– Myles
10 hours ago
6
@Fattie LinkedIn is different than social media. The goal of the platform is for professionals to connect. If you put a public facing profile online, you shouldn't be surprised if someone views it.
– SaggingRufus
9 hours ago
27
Isn't this one of the primary use cases for LinkedIn?
– Glen Pierce
9 hours ago
12
If you don't want people looking at your LinkedIn profile don't create one. Otherwise yes it is fair game. I research whom I will be working with just as I research the employer sort of a no-brainer. I research Dr. profiles as well before I go and visit them. I like to know the skill levels of whom I will be working with, for, or supervising a head of time. Also can be used as a conversation starter. "Hey I noticed on your LI profile you know C++ I would like to know more"
– C0r3yh
7 hours ago