Last week here, I asked what the deal was with the social media group, LinkedIn. I've been a member of it for some time and I keep getting messages from folks — some I know, many I don't — who want to "connect" via it. I have never quite understood what that means nor has it ever been of any value to me. What, I wanted to know, am I missing?
I got a lot of responses, over 90% of which said something like, "I've been wondering that myself!" But a few told me how it had been of value to them. Here's a sampling of the flurry, starting with a message from Greg Kelly…
There's been lot of times I get e-mails "from" friends and people I know asking me to join LinkedIn. Then when I ask them about it, the people claim to not have sent an e-mail to me but then begin to extoll the benefits of LinkedIn.
I refuse to sign up for it. There isn't one instance I've heard of people I know getting work because of it. And, I'm just not sure what how beneficial it is beyond an online resume and perhaps just professional networking. But, probably one thing that turned me off to the site is the most is when I realized it can just show up in a search engine. I don't like the idea that what was once private info could be "shared" so easily. Maybe I'm out of the loop on how things work and that's why I don't get the work I should.
And, like most social networking sites, it really does seem like the users benefit as much as the company does from collecting information about the users. Every story I've ever read about LinkedIn's growth involves them acquiring a new analytics service or some company that helps them monetize their users.
That gibes with what Steve Jobs and Tim Cook end up saying about Google and others basically making the user into their products. That is none too pleasing.
And now here's Kevin Kusinitz…
There was probably a time when LinkedIn actually did what it was supposed to do — connect people in similar industries in order to find a new job. These days, it's more like Facebook for yuppies (if they're called that anymore) — just another way to grow your circle of "friends" and feel important.
I joined LinkedIn when I got laid off in August 2012, and it hasn't done a damn thing for me, other than receiving requests, mostly from strangers, to join my network. I ignore the strangers, and told at least one former colleague that joining would be OK, but it wouldn't do them any good. I don't know anyone who got a job through LinkedIn. Maybe next year, I'll close my account. At least it's been free.
But then I received this from Calvin Rydbom…
LinkedIn works really well in some professions, not so well in others. I am a writer of sorts. I'm an Archivist who occasionally produces a local history or corporate history book because of an overall bigger project, but I'm certainly not on your level. But I'd think freelance writers would be served well by LinkedIn.
For us, it works this way: "Hey, Guys! After we finish this project setting up a archive/historical database/writing a book for The Village of Burton/Cain Park/City of Twinsburg, they want a really professional exhibit. So me and my two partners look in our LinkedIn Network for a colleague who specializes in Museum Studies and Exhibitions.
Or our client wants not just oral histories, which we do quite often, but wants them videotaped. So we look in our network for our colleagues who our doing freelance cinematography work.
And So On. When I use to do programming, which is a very transient freelance field on the higher end, it wasn't that uncommon to get a "Hey Calvin, do you know any good frontline, Blah, Blah, Blahs." And to LinkedIn, I go. You're linked into people who you might hire or might get you jobs. They want to be Facebook, but if you treat it as valuable in those two ways, it's an asset.
And Jim Grey writes…
I do LinkedIn for three reasons:
1. To keep track of people I've worked with in the past: Where they are now?
2. To be able to reach out to those people to maintain my network. Some of them are not close enough contacts where I'd have their personal e-mail or phone number, and because of job changes since I last worked with them, I might not have their work e-mail or phone number either.
3. As a way to keep up with news in my industry — which companies are new, or growing, or shrinking, or dying.
I'm a software developer in Indianapolis. The software community here is surprisingly large and active, and there's tons of opportunity here. And lots of movement; I've had jobs at nine different software companies in 25 years.
And finally, let's hear from Mark Palko…
In the vast majority of cases, it really is that simple. Back when I was working as a statistical consultant, I routinely got e-mails from recruiters, at least three of which lead to lucrative contracts. The service also keeps me in touch with former supervisors and colleagues, which can be difficult when you've worked in various industries (everybody needs a statistician) and on both coasts.
For you (well-established with an excellent social network in a fairly tight-knit field), LinkedIn doesn't make much sense, but yours is a relatively unusual situation.
Yeah, I think I get that now…though if the responses I received are any indication, it's not that unusual. I am pretty easy to contact on the Internet whereas many people are not. I also get hired for more selective reasons. It's good to hear that the system works for some people…but that at least in my case, it doesn't seem to matter how I respond to all those requests to connect. Thanks to all of you who wrote me about your experiences. I would endorse you all if I had the slightest idea how to do that.