Anthony LoPinto Anthony LoPinto

The big news this week is Microsoft’s announcement that it is buying LinkedIn for $26 billion, a 50% premium over the company’s current price.  This is a very big bet indeed for Microsoft, but a questionable one because I am not so sure that it will provide enough leverage for LinkedIn to dig out of its current trend of declining revenues and flattening user engagement.

If you rewind five years, LinkedIn was experiencing rapid growth as professionals viewed it as the go-to place raising their flag for employers and recruiters to view their biography and professional accomplishments. But that was when the economy was digging out of the great recession, prompting professionals to tap into the web for career opportunities. Today the story is much different as the employment markets have recovered and stabilized, and professionals are not prone to manage their activities on LinkedIn when other platforms get their attention such as Facebook. Alas, Microsoft pitched the leverage they will bring with the example of enabling LinkedIn’s users to engage through Office calendar invitations. Really?

The name of the game today are specialized verticals such as SelectLeaders for Real Estate or Dice for technology jobs.  That is where attractive jobs appear and professional can more easily get a view of activity in their space.  Microsoft has a terrible track record acquiring company’s such as Nokia that have fizzled, and I fear that the juggernaut may have hit another iceberg.

JOB LISTINGS

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ST. JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM, TRINITY HEALTH Regional Director, Real Estate – SE Michigan (ANN ARBOR, MI) Position will support a Regional Health Ministry (RHM) /System Office in the planning, execution and ongoing management of respective portion of the Trinity Health real estate portfolio and in support of the RHMs objectives, strategies and initiatives. (Sponsored Job)

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY TRUST/DIVERSIFIED PROPERTY FUND Development Analyst (DENVER, CO) Analyst will be responsible for providing post acquisition analytical analysis to the Development team, with a particular focus on supporting the AVP of Development. Duties include: reviewing monthly draw package submissions for multiple development projects which includes the review of hard and soft cost invoices, G702/G703 tie out, lien waivers, change orders, schedule and reporting updates.

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CAPITOL HILL HOUSING Housing Development and Project Manager (Affordable) (SEATTLE, WA) Position will be responsible for overseeing all stages of affordable housing development for 2-3 projects annually, and ensuring that objectives of each project are accomplished within prescribed time frames and funding parameters.

SHANGHAI MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT USA Senior Accountant (NEW YORK, NY) Accountant will utilize established accounting principles to perform required chores under limited supervision and provide assistance to the management team; and protect assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls.

PENSION RESERVES INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT BOARD Investment Analyst (BOSTON, MA) Reporting to the Director of Private Equity, the Investment Analyst will contribute to managing a broadly diversified portfolio of private equity, venture capital and private debt funds. This role offers the opportunity to work with experienced investors to make significant contributions across a wide range of private investment types.

SAGE HOSPITALITY Vice President of Real Estate Accounting and Reporting (DENVER, CO) Vice President of Real Estate Accounting will direct all aspects of partnership accounting, investment reporting and tax activities for hotel investment and upper tier partnership entities.