not a recruiter: I have never felt that recruiters pay attention to linkedin references specifically. You can also make one, add people, and then ask for a few

not a recruiter: I have never felt that recruiters pay attention to linkedin references specifically. You can also make one, add people, and then ask for a few references. "I just finally made a linkedin in 2025 on a lark" is a perfectly cromulent icebreaker/reason to ask.