The Mysterious Disappearing LinkedIn Messages

Yesterday I mentioned that two "recruiters" contacted me on LinkedIn.

I only shared one conversation because, in this one, I asked a direct question:

"Are you filling a role or selling a resume service?"

The response was direct:

"Filling a role."

I was then asked if I'd like the job description, and I said yes. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a screenshot of that part of the conversation.

Today I went back into LinkedIn Messaging to review both conversations.

Both were gone.

Not archived. Not deleted by me. Just... gone. As if they never existed.

I'm not sure what happened or why. Maybe @LinkedIn removed the accounts. Maybe something else occurred. I don't have enough information to draw that conclusion.

What I do know is that these types of interactions seem to be becoming more common.

I'd love to see LinkedIn continue investing in stronger verification of recruiter profiles and better technology to reduce fake accounts and questionable outreach. It would help job seekers spend more time evaluating real opportunities and less time wondering whether the person on the other end is genuine.

I've been documenting these experiences, along with other observations from my job search, on my blog at NielFlamm.com/blog. I hope sharing what I encounter helps others stay informed.

Have you had recruiter messages mysteriously disappear, or experienced something similar?

Recruiters or Resume Sellers? Ask the Question.

If you're actively looking for a new opportunity on LinkedIn, stay alert.

Today I was contacted by two different "recruiters." I'll share the second conversation when I receive it, but I'm posting this one because it's a fair and straightforward question.

"Is this an opportunity, or are you going to offer me a resume writing service?"

As of writing this post, I haven't received a response.

That doesn't automatically mean this isn't a legitimate recruiter. It may be. I don't know.

My point is this: don't be afraid to ask direct questions.

As job seekers, we're sharing our resumes, employment history, and sometimes personal information. Taking a few moments to verify whom you're speaking with is time well spent.

Suppose this turns out to be a legitimate opportunity; great. If not, asking the question may save someone time, money, or frustration.

I'll also share the second conversation once I receive it so everyone can compare the interactions.

I've been documenting my job search, recruiting experiences, and other career observations on my blog at NielFlamm.com/blog. I hope some of those experiences help others navigate today's job market.

Have you received messages like this on LinkedIn? What questions do you ask before engaging?