Are you using LinkedIn?

[simplyforum]

Many of us at simplyhired.com are using LinkedIn to expand our professional network. Are you one of them?

[George]

Is this like Friendster, Orkut, and Wallop? I have all these, would I even benefit with LinkedIn? Too many social networks out there.

[simplydamon]

Hi George,

LinkedIn is actually directed at creating a professional social network - so the goal of LinkedIn is quite a bit different than those other sites.

[QuestorTheElf]

You know what's really strange for me is that I prefer to be the hunter, not the hunted.

I think LinkedIn is particularly great, and I like the thought of being "discovered." Still, I get more a kick of seeing who's in LinkedIn, tracing their paths between companies I knew them at and where they are, then I initiate contact, presently outside LinkedIn (e.g., e-mail, phone call, etc.)

Somehow I also want my LinkedIn profile to look great before committing to it in writing (wow, doesn't that sound like a classic excuse from Procrastination 101.)

I also am wondering, how do you get more than one side of you to show at the same time for different onlookers? After all, I can be the Mellow Elf, the Spicy Elf, the Blue Suit Professional Elf, or the Business Casual Elf. I'm a little uneasy about marrying mysElf to only one outlook, almost analogous to the idea of creating targeted resumes customized to different positions in different industries. (Hey, if that sounds like I'm being vain, it's not -- we each have many sides of our personalities to showcase that the world can prosper from.)

One day I'll probably sort all this out, and then beat mysElf up mercilessly over what took me so long. I'm actually surprised to have used LinkedIn as a kind of "soap opera" update. I've seen some individuals I've followed "die" in one firm, then their character gets revived in another. Maybe someone's wondering what happened to me and we have yet to connect!

Still, like I said, I've got this strong preference to track people down first.

[simplydamon]

"One day I'll probably sort all this out, and then beat mysElf up mercilessly over what took me so long. I'm actually surprised to have used LinkedIn as a kind of "soap opera" update. I've seen some individuals I've followed "die" in one firm, then their character gets revived in another. Maybe someone's wondering what happened to me and we have yet to connect! "

That is probably the most interesting way I've heard of to use LinkedIn.

[raincoaster]

I've gotten some good connections through LinkedIn, but I'm also noticing an increasing number of "connection spammers." By that I mean people with a thousand or more connections, who reach me out of the blue and ask to be a connection of mine. Sure, someone on my network said yes to them, but why would I do so? I think having that many connections dilutes the value of any connection to that person. It's not a numbers game, really.

The most creative connection I ever got was from a programmer from Norway; she had the same name as a newsletter I used to edit, and was searching LinkedIn for people with that name. We hit it off via email and now she's a connection. I like her and have confidence in her intentions. I've also checked out her profile and blog and feel she's a competent professional. So now she's a connection.

What criteria do you use when deciding whether or not to make a connection?

[simplydamon]

"What criteria do you use when deciding whether or not to make a connection?"

I generally think about if I have actually worked with that person in some capacity. I also consider it if they know my work...or vice versa...

[kd5145]

Thanks for the heads up. I love this site.

[George]

This place is full of information.

[tiger039]

Many of us at simplyhired.com are using LinkedIn to expand our professional network. Are you one of them?









I tend to agree mostly but I'm still not sure I understand everything here.