LinkedIn?

[ct]

Do you use it? How?

ie. Do you "connect" with coworkers? How about senior colleagues or managers? Or is this mostly for outside contacts? What is the etiquette here?

I'm new to this, help!

[kershnic]

I don't use it. When I get requests to join I always assume that person is job hunting. My impression from talking to others about it is that you should connect with as many people as you possibly can, especially including higher ups, because those are the people most likely to have connections that might be helpful to you. But I'd be cautious if you're looking but don't want people at your current job to know you're looking (or assume you are if you're not).

[ElsaVonM]

I use it, and it's for anyone you have a professional relationship with - current and former colleagues at any level, other people in your industry, people you work with on charity or board functions, people you meet at conferences or industry functions, anything like that. There are also a lot of groups you can join, like alumni groups, industry specialty groups, local groups.

[bluedaisyus]

I don't, I just friend people back when they request me. Seriously, I have no idea how it's supposed to be used.

[twotrue]

I have one but I don't use it as well as I should/could. It is a really great tool for networking but I think that also depends on the field you are in, if you are likely to change jobs, how often you currently network, etc.

Just know that if you don't have your profile in total lock-down people can see that you've their profiles and you can see who has viewed yours. So if you want to go spying on an ex, make sure you turn all privacy on first. ;-) I know people from this board have viewed my profile but not 'connected' with me. We're in different fields (and different states) and since it's really supposed to be a network/work thing I understand not connecting. Hope that makes sense.

[ct]

Yeah, I'm having trouble figuring out how to use it to my advantage. Obvi I don't want anyone at my current job to know I"m looking (if, in fact, that is what i'm doing ), especially senior managers, which is who would be most valuable to "connect" with....Catch 22.

but, it is showing me I need to step up my networking game. I work at a company of 1,000s...i should know more people outside of my own department.

[2brides]

I have an account that I rarely check (CT, I got your request and need to log on.) Honestly 99% of my contacts on there are friends and don't work in the same field/probably wouldn't be great networking opportunities.

[twotrue]

Jan 14, 2013 9:43:29 GMT -5 ct said:

Yeah, I'm having trouble figuring out how to use it to my advantage. Obvi I don't want anyone at my current job to know I"m looking (if, in fact, that is what i'm doing ), especially senior managers, which is who would be most valuable to "connect" with....Catch 22.

but, it is showing me I need to step up my networking game. I work at a company of 1,000s...i should know more people outside of my own department.

It's actually fairly common to be connected to your own supervisor, coworkers, etc. What will probably make it look less 'job-searchy' is if you also start networking and connecting IRL so to speak. If there are opportunities within the company to visit other departments, go to seminars, etc., take those. And then, connect with the people you meet at those activities.

[hlke]

I don't really use it as well as I could, but I often use it as an adjunct to real life networking. So I meet someone IRL, then follow up by sending them a connection request and a note on linked in.

That said, I haven't really done anything with it at all since my last job search. I joined when it was the trend in my office and for non-job search reasons, so I don't think trying to connect with people is always a red flag that you are looking...but it might raise the question for some people.