What has linkedin done for you?

magenta321 · #1 01-11-2008, 07:46 AM

Since there are so many of us using linkedin here, I thought I'd ask what, if anything, it has done for you.

It has sucked at finding people I used to work with. It's not popular in the healthcare industry, yet. At least... it's not popular at the hospital I used to work at yet. It has been decent about finding people I went to college with. I have found other Honors College members, and sorority sisters with whom I had lost contact.

I like seeing the jobs in my network. If I were looking, this would be a great tool. I don't think the search feature works very well, however.

I haven't been using linkedin very long, and I'm guessing most other people haven't either (most people I talk to about it have never heard of it before). It should be interesting to see how things take shape in the future.

**lynnzop**[$] · #2 01-11-2008, 10:27 AM

I know a bunch of people here have sent me invites to join their network, and I apologize for ignoring you.

I'm really curious to hear the answer to Margaret's question, because that's largely why I have not gone out and responded to those gracious invites. It seems to be mainly a PITA to me...another place to maintain, and I see little or no benefit to it, other than being linked to a zillion people. I have so little truly "free" time, and my social networking has come from other places (like this board

).

So...the million dollar question: What's in it for me?

**pippadaisy**[$] · #3 01-11-2008, 12:27 PM

I got my current best writing gig there.

**taurusmoon** · #4 01-11-2008, 12:29 PM

I have a friend who swears by it. He's gotten several job offers there including the job he's at now.

**drmomentum**[$] · #5 01-11-2008, 12:35 PM

I'm not actively trying to network, but it has helped me keep some contact with people I've worked with. I'm a little more conservative with my connections; at the moment I only link with people I've worked with professionally, in some quasi-professional capacity, or with people I know enough that I feel I could describe them well to someone else.

So far, it's done nothing for me, but I haven't tried to use it to any advantage. I just feel that, professionally, it makes some sense to maintain a presence.

poseidon · #6 01-12-2008, 07:00 AM

In today's workplace, networking is the single most important tool you have. LinkedIn is probably one of the more serious places to network.

**theworm**[$] · #7 01-12-2008, 09:52 AM

nothing, and I sort of wish I hadn't joined.

phoenixx · #8 01-12-2008, 10:48 AM

In my line of work a web presence is key, so I belong to almost every network, even if I don't use them regularly. The more eyeballs I have looking at my professional site and references, the more business I get. LinkedIn is one of the least obnoxious ones, and it actually has been a nice way to get testimonials and such for my writing. People who don't have time to email me what they think will see a profile on whatever network and take a few seconds to leave a comment, which is then able to be seen by potential clients.

magenta321 · #9 01-12-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

theworm said

nothing, and I sort of wish I hadn't joined.

I'm curious why you feel that way.

If you seriously wish you were not on there, you can sign in and go to profile, then edit.

"Full View" is the default, recommended profile display. You can also turn it "off" by selecting "None." Then, I assume, you are invisible.

**theworm**[$] · #10 01-12-2008, 09:11 PM

I think for some people its a great networking/marketing tool.
For me, it's just another thing out there. I think that is serves a valid purpose, and maybe if I worked it I would get something out of it, but I've seen some people there who have put up false info and some people who try to connect with anyone who will connect with them - if they know each other or not - and that makes me question the validity. On the other hand, I know a few people who have made great connections, so perhaps you get what you put into it.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #11 01-12-2008, 09:17 PM

I've had a couple trolls approach me and I rejected them. But I got to see what some colleagues at other organizations are up to, including their own side consulting work that I might never have known about otherwise because it just wouldn't have come up. It hasn't served me personally yet, but I think it's helped some folks in my network.

**amykhar** · #12 01-12-2008, 09:50 PM

In the tech industry, when layoffs happen, they aren't kind. People are immediately escorted out of the building with no notice. Linked In, to me, is a way to have a way to contact with people who are 'disappeared' in the industry.

Another thing is that I work in a field that doesn't require a physical presence to work on a job. When my company needs a logo or a junior level php developer, I know people out there. I can contact people I know and trust and see if they want first crack at the work.

I've had a few recruiters try to link up with me. I ignore most of them. But, with a recession coming up, I am considering perhaps linking with a recruiter or two from reputable places. You never know.

Amy