This is a 500 word pitch on why you SHOULD get LinkedIn. Don’t be intimidated and don’t feel inadequate.
LinkedIn is a social networking site where you build connections (friends) and expand your network. I was late to the LinkedIn game, but am quickly realizing how valuable a medium it is for all aspects of relationships and networking.
It does not matter if you haven’t had a corporate job. My employment history consists of installing new driveways or lawns, and yelling at disengaged teenagers on a field. Doesn’t stop me (wait, can I call myself a blogger now?). I’m not granting permission to pepper your LinkedIn account with your Safeway shelf stocker job. Casually leave that part out of the equation for now.
Work the student angle. In the case where your vocation is non-existent, make sure the rest of your profile is stellar. Your profile picture should be a gorgeous headshot with the pearly whites on fine display. Think of the rest of your profile as a work in progress. Add one thing every time you log on, whether it is a new ‘skill’ or a new group. Try and log on once a day.
For the summary section, find a way to differentiate yourself from the riffraff; tell a story, display your autonomy and uniqueness. Complete the remainder of your profile in stages.
CONNECTING
LinkedIn differentiates people by category (2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc), denoting the degrees of separation between you and another person. When someone is a 2nd degree connection, it means at least one mutual friend. 2nd degree connections can be added by anyone. Extend the olive branch with a personal message.
LinkedIn does have a “get introduced by a friend” feature, where you can be connected to a second degree connection through a friend. This can be beneficial for scouting contacts and surveying potential business opportunities. It prompts you to send a quick message to your mutual connection, asking for an intro. This is like someone vouching for you. Be courteous and don’t outright ask for favours. The mutual friend must accept your intro request before the invitation is sent out to the scouted connection.
Don’t get caught up in adding everyone you may know as a connection. Unlike Facebook, absolute number of connections is arbitrary. I could have 1000 connections. It is useless if you haven’t built up a rapport and trust with each connection at one point or another. What good is having a connection that wouldn’t vouch for you? Meaningful connections where mutual benefit can be established are what make LinkedIn unique.
The average Canadian spends eight minutes per visit on LinkedIn, Facebook is triple. It does not require the real-time active interactions that Facebook or Twitter demand.
It will be interesting to see where LinkedIn fits into the greater landscape of social media. Some question the staying power. The fact that it does not command real-time interaction means less daily visits. Less visits cripples ad revenue and sponsored pages: two key revenue streams that fuel social media platforms. LinkedIn is going to have to get creative.
Perhaps you don’t need an account now, but in my opinion, you will at some point. Why not gradually familiarize yourself now, so you are not flustered registering later when someone asks for your LinkedIn info. Almost as faux-paw as a business card slip up.
Here is a good guide.
What do you think about LinkedIn? Can I call myself a blogger?
The Aspiring Renaissance Man 
This was a great summary of the benefits of LinkedIn – and it made me log on and make sure my information is up to date! You never know when you’ll need to connect with your connections or when someone might be looking for some professional help and contact you. This is a simple, effective way to make and maintain professional connections.
Thanks for the reminder :)
Thanks for the kind words Amanda! Definitely can’t get complacent with your profile. Never know who is “watching”.
Hi Connor!
Im a long time follower, first time poster. My query has to do more with social media as a whole as opposed to linkedin specifically. I was wondering if you could shed some light on what I see as a disturbing trend amongst today’s youth – the utter reliance and enthralment displayed by people towards their smart phones. I understand most of the merits of smart phones, and I do not disagree with the fact that they do make life much more simple and efficient. I also agree that social media serves many great purposes, including keeping us in touch with people that we wouldn’t normally have the time to interact with. However, I strongly believe that people are abusing these two technological advances. I see a growing trend of disengagement from face-to-face interactions, something which is integral to the fabric of our society. It disturbs me to see people occupying space in a crowded bar or restaurant, yet completely oblivious to the company that they keep, instead focusing entirely on their hand held devices. For me, facebook, twitter and all other smart-phone applications should always take a back seat to real-time, face-to-face interaction. No one should ever have to feel that the conversation they are engaged in is playing second fiddle to their chosen company’s flustered blackberrying or iphonery.
I would very much like to hear your opinion on this social phenomenon, and whether or not you feel that this is a serious problem like I do.
Ps. In addition, I think your followers would thoroughly enjoy a post on social media in relation to professional sports. Highly controversial topic, lots of great avenues for dialogue.
Alex. You raise some serious points that really tap into the ever shifting norms of western society. Ill come up with a more formal answer for you. Perhaps a great topic for a couple of future posts.
I’ve been on Linkedin for awhile, but I haven’t utilized the tool as much as I could. After this post, I’m going to revisit and give more attention to the platform. Yes, you are officially considered a blogger from the minute you publish your first post. Yay! ;-)
Thanks Amberr! From one blogger to another.
They can climb well, so they are able to go up trees and other tall plants.
For applying on the head first spray your hand and then rub onto dogs head to prevent eye
irritation and ingesting the chemical by your dog. If your pet
will not stand on a scale the easiest way to weigh them is by holding them and
stepping onto the scale, noting that weight, then putting
the pet down and checking the weight, subtraction will determine the weight of the pet.
I read this piece of writing fully on the topic of the
difference of newest and previous technologies, it’s remarkable article.
Thanks Herbert – glad you enjoyed it!
wonderful issues altogether, you simply won a new reader.
What could you suggest about your submit that you simply complete some days in the past?
Any sure?
Valuable info. Fortunate me I discovered your website by accident, and I am surprised
why this coincidence didn’t came about earlier! I bookmarked it.