using LinkedIn to get connected

[SimplyDave]

https://www.linkedin.com/img/logos/logo.gif

I'm a big fan of LinkedIn (for professional networking), and i've been using it a lot more lately. SimplyHired has a partnership (https://www.linkedin.com/static?key=about_simplyhired) with www.LinkedIn.com (http://www.LinkedIn.com), and we're powering some of their LinkedIn Jobs search functionality (https://www.linkedin.com/jobs?displayHome=&trk=tab_jobs), as well as using LinkedIn on the SimplyHired site to show "who do i know" for any company / job listing.

* if you're not familiar with LinkedIn, here's a basic tutorial on getting started (https://www.linkedin.com/static?key=tour_flash).

* if you're already using LinkedIn, here's a cheatsheet of tips for advanced users (http://www.sacredcowdung.com/archives/2005/05/cheaters_guide.html).

[simplyforum]

I would like to state that I largely got this job through the LinkedIn site. I talked to a comrade that I hadn't seen in months because of the site. We also have a link (pun intended) in the forums where a user simply has to click on the link to go directly to LinkedIn.

[simplyforum]

I've been able to re-connect with nearly twenty colleagues over the past week because of the LinkedIn.

[George]

What does a professional network do? I wonder if I know anyone who uses this.

[simplydamon]

Hi George,

Some social sites, like LinkedIn & Friendster, allow you to keep in contact with people you may not have talked to for some time. While I haven't worked at PayPal in well over a year, I have been able to re-establish some of those contacts by the networking sites. I do think that social networking, professional or otherwise, does have some strong points that people should consider.

[whodares]

I just discovered LinkedIn and joined. I instantly found two ex-coworkers and someone else I worked with on a project. I am trying to reconnect with all them right now.

[George]

Sounds like I sould sign up to LinkedIn.

[simplydamon]

LinkedIn is definitely a very cool site. In addition, searching on the Simply Hired site will display a "Who do I know?" button next to a job that you are looking at. This button will pop you over to LinkedIn to show you who you know at the company (could make getting a job easier).

[George]

OK I took the plunge and signed up. Lets see if I know anyone on it.

[simplydamon]

Hi George,

Did you see some people you knew after you registered? Did you attempt to add people to your network?

[George]

Didnt see anyone I know on it. Haven't attempted to add anyone. People I know would be complaining if I try to invite them...haha.

[raincoaster]

but not that useful: I am still unemployed.

Been on LinkedIn for more than a year now. It wasn't much when it started, but now it's much more functional and they've just added a job search function. Not many listings yet, but it's got critical mass, so it may take off.

The usefulness of LinkedIn depends completely on the quality of connections you've got. If you're linked to losers, it's not so good for you. If you're linked to eight hundred or a thousand people, as someone I saw is, it's not so good for you either, because it makes it look like each of those connections is something cheap. I've gotten contacted by FSR people with hundreds of connections, and never heard of these guys: why would anyone connect with a connection spammer? But some do. You've got to pick your players carefully when you're building a team.

The most useful feature of LinkedIn is the alerts. When you want to let people in your network know about something new in your life, whether a new volunteer project like my own BC Charity Events (http://www.bccharityevents.com) (spam spam spam, yeah I know) or the fact that you're now a free agent looking for projects, you can send every contact an alert with one click. Very useful.

[simplydamon]

Well..you might find someone that does remember you in a positive light :D Believe me, I've now got a list of people that didn't respond to my request...LOL!