Value of LinkedIn /proffesional 'networking' site 1

[KENAT]

I just got an invite from the local sales director of our CAD supplier to join LinkedIn.

http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=what_is_linkedin&trk=hb_what

for anyone unfamiliar with it.

I've previously had people try to persuade me to join, most noticeably my direct boss.

So, out of interest what is members opinion of the usefulness etc of this sight?


KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[ivymike]

helped me catch up with some guys from college... that's about it so far.

 

[COEngineeer]

It is almost like MYSPACE for professionals.

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

 

[MikeHalloran]

Well, at least it hasn't increased my incoming spam volume.

If your boss thinks it's a good idea ... then it is.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IRstuff]

It allows you to keep in touch with the people you'd keep in touch with.

From a "networking" perspective, I don't see that it increases your connectivity any, just possibly maintaining the existing connections, which may be a reasonable goal, in of itself.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[GregLocock]

It seems to be harmless, and I have found a couple of people I had lost.



Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[KENAT]

What if earlier contacts you no longer particularly want to be in touch with try to sign you up, especially if due to the other people they know etc. it may not be simple to just decline them? (This is based on my facebook experience where a bunch of people I really had no great desire to get back in contact with made a friend request, when I didn't immediately accept they had a mutual friend ask me about it... too much hassle for my liking.)

Do you think there could be negative consequences from being linked to the wrong person?

I know one of disgruntled employee from here put some unflattering posts, or however it works, on former colleagues/bosses sites, or something like that. I have no desire to get caught up in that nonsense, I assume you can get stuff like that deleted but is it more effort than it's worth?

Point well taken Mike, I figure I'll probably sign up but wanted to see what some other members thought first.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[corus]

Why not ask your boss why he thinks it's a good idea, instead of displaying blind obediance?

Your CAD supplier probably wants you to join as it shows his network of people so he can impress his boss.

Personally I've found it to be no use whatsoever. If you're wanting to improve your business contacts and advance up the slippery ladder then iron your apron, borrow some peacock feathers, and join the freemasons.


corus

 

[vc66]

As others have mentioned, I've used it to catch up with people that I haven't spoken to in a while. Other than that, no opinion, one way or the other.

Plus, to get any of the features that would be helpful in "networking", you have to pay for it.

V

 

[melone]

I have been notified of job openings by people I trust.

 

[kelowna]

I joined after some pestering from a fellow engineer.
It is harmless and I log in very very rarely, but reciently I received a good job offer through somebody who used Linkedin to contact me.
So overall positive experience (from somebody who disconnected from Facebook because could not stand it)

 

[HgTX]

In the social networking world, it is perfectly acceptable to ignore a connection request, and anyone who hassles you about it is the one violating the unwritten rules.

I suspect that the portion of LinkedIn users who find it professionally useful is tiny but nonzero (and I'm sure varies significantly by profession). Me, I've just found it useful for getting in touch with people from my past (as someone else said, "MySpace for professionals"), but here are a couple tiny anecdotes:

* I been part of a chain passing along a job search. A friend of mine would have applied for it had he not just accepted a different job.

* A co-worker's husband got a bit of a leg up in a job interview because the interviewer had looked at his LinkedIn contacts and one of those contacts was someone the interviewer really respected.

Some of the Q&A areas can be very interesting.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[ShaggyPE]

to add to what kelowna stated, I too have received a job offer through LinkedIn. This was not through any of my associates in my network, but from a headhunter service. I declined the offer but one of my coworkers accepted.

It seems like a relatively harmless service.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

 

[ykee]

I use it once in a while, mostly just to keep up in contact with colleagues that I don't talk to regularly. I think that networking is generally a good thing & I don't think there could be any harm in joining linkedin.

 

[MadMango]

I have found it useful, and I would not relate it to a MySpace clone (ie no "check out my photos"), though some might tend to treat it that way. About the only "social" aspects I see from the site is in joining Groups, and then these are only "sociable" if you actually participate in your selected Groups.

I use it to maintain contact with present and past co-workers, and people that I have come to know or respect through my daily work-related activities. I also use it as my version of my online resume. I have benefited from it by being able to contact people out of State since I am looking to relocate cross-country.

As HgTX says, it perfectly normal to deny connections that you do not want.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the be

 

[KENAT]

Corus, I've had the discussion with my boss, had a chuckle at the blind obediance bit, don't think my boss would use that phrase about me.

Plus I thought Mike was being a bit sarcastic, maybe not.

Thanks all, this isn't anything I'm losing sleep over but just wanted to see what other members were doing/thought.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[JMirisola]

Personally, I like LinkedIn. When I was in between jobs, I was able to use my contacts to find what was out there without having to filter through positions I wasn't interested in. Also, I know that one of the offers I received was partially due to the recommendations on my profile.
Overall, I give LinkedIn two thumbs up...

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[vc66]

Hey KENAT...

Johnny boy is on it, so it can't be bad, right?

V

 

[KENAT]

Do you think he'd let me add him as a contact;-).

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[Gymmeh]

I have it, it really has done nothing for me...