Blogger’s note: today and for the rest of this week, I will reprise some of my previous (dare I say classic?) blogposts. With over 2820 of them now, if I may say so, I believe I can repeat myself repeat myself once, or twice. 

Plucked from March 13, 2014, yes a long time ago, I posted “I Have Skills But Please Think Before You Endorse Me” in which I recounted how it’s my responsibility to ensure that anyone endorsing skill(s) I have actually have seen me as I performed it/them, with them in the mix, not simply “click and run” all or most of my skills, thinking they are doing me a favor. For you attorneys out there, this is an ethical marketing issue to guard.

Skills and endorsements are one of LinkedIn’s most used, and IMHO, abused, features. When I speak about this aspect of the personal profile to groups, there is a sudden exasperated “ugh” from the crowd.

So here’s my take on this topic:

I carefully chose my skills, so you should carefully endorse me for skills you know I have and have experienced with my work.

Is that a deal?

I am appreciative of those who think they are helping me by endorsing me for all my skills, whether or not they know I have them. Believe me, I take care of, and applaud my connections every way I can…but please be deliberate and selective in endorsements.

The worst case scenario: someone approaches you and says “I see you endorsed Marc for his skill in strategic partnerships. Tell me how you know that.” You blushingly say, “Um, er, I really don’t know.”

Now you and I look ineffective and less than professional. 

Let’s not have that, ok?