Linked In

Paul in Cannon Beach

What's your opinion of "Linked In"? Im on it but I haven't invested much time in learning how it works. For a while I would get e-mails inviting me to join someone's Linked In network and I always ignored them.

To my suprise I found I actually do have an account. I must have started one a couple years ago and just have neglected to use it.

Anyone out there using Linked In effectively? Umm... what is it exactly?

NaeNae55

I do not use it, but my hubby does. At one time you had to be invited by a current member to join so it was very selective. It is more for a professional use rather than a personal one like facebook or myspace.

KSR6450

I am on there and have been for quite some time. What I noticed is that it was used primarily by people in the IT field; at least in the beginning. It is a way of 'linking' your network of contacts. You have degrees of separation and can contact people based on those (like the old shampoo commercial where I told two friends, then they told two friends and so on). It could be useful if you were looking for a job.

ACU Frank

I'm on it, but I don't use it much. It's all serious and stuff, and I don't have time for that.

Sharon McKnight SPHR

I've found it's a great way to get back in touch with former coworkers that I thought I'd never hear from again. It's nice to be able to reconnect.

Sharon

System

I've been on LinkedIn for about a year now. Initially I did it just to see what it was all about. But recently, I started actively building my list of connections because I realized that it was something I could do to help people that I know who have been laid off - or are concerned they might be - connect to other people in my network who work at companies that might be hiring. There's actually a whole section on how LinkedIn can be used as a hiring tool in a book I reviewed last year for our book blog. I would highly recommend it.

You can read the review here [url]http://employmentlawpost.com/resources/2008/07/16/the-truth-about-profiting-from-social-networking/[/url]

Paul in Cannon Beach

Well, if there is one thing I dont like its not being "in the know" about something techy. I've heard its just for job seekers but I like what Wendi has said about using it.

I have a huge network of colleagues after having been here so long in this fairly tight knit industry. I could definitely see the value of having them together in some kind of Borg-like collective consciousness.

Speaking of links, I think Wendi may have to go back to remedial school for posting links.

NaeNae55

Nah. She just needs to remember to make sure she has spaces where they belong.

System

Sorry about that. I got it fixed. Just shows what happens when you try to do too many things at the same time.

Paul in Cannon Beach

Good link. Am reading.