Linkedin: Has anyone found it useful?

[joeychitwood]

I have a Linkedin profile and about 80 connections, but I haven't yet figured out how it can be useful to me. I also have a Doximity profile (a "Facebook for physicians.") Have any of you found Linkedin (or any other professional networking group) to be of use to you other than to keep in contact with colleagues?

Now that I have left the practice of medicine, I'll be looking for something interesting to do for the next 8-10 years, and if these websites can be of use, I'd like to know how. Also, is there a TRF group on Linkedin?

[Rodentman]

I have a Linkedin account and sometimes get headhunters contacting me. I found it useful when job searching. I also met a couple old college classmates with whom I exchanged a couple of emails and that was that.

As far as it becoming more like a social networking site, like Facebook, that I can do without. I don't make comments, I detest the concept of "like" and feel the word should be banned from the language.

Frankly I don't find Linkedin, or any social networking site of any genuine use to me. But I'm an old (63) cynic and have no use for a cell phone either.

[masterserg]

Pretty useless to me. The Rodentman put it well ... though I like my cell phone and I am not THAT old

[looking to buy]

Interesting question. I am 67 and have my own business. I did set up and account with them a couple of years ago. My business has many clients and they are always wanting me to join their groups. I always agree and join them all. I have no idea how many connections I have and I have not found any useful business purpose with Linkedin. However some of their forums in my area of expertise have great information in them. So I like that.

I try to always keep up with technology and the latest thing. In part to keep up with my kids and also to keep from becoming an old fossil. When I am 85 years old I hope to still be able to join in the discussion as the which is best...the iPhone65 or the Samsung S45

[rr-nyc]

As far as social networking for business, I think its as good as you want it to be.

I use it to network with previous co-workers or find new talent. Companies and recruiters have reached out to me to see if I'm interested in position they have as well so there are several uses for it. Some industries don't benefit from it while many do.

[lig]

I've had 7-8 headhunter inquiries. No opportunities that would be worth an interview but you never know.

[wantonebad]

I find it very useful for getting harassed by marketing scams or recruiters who either do no investigating or simply don't care and contact me for jobs I'm either over/under qualified for or don't live within 1500 miles of.

So in short it's a waste of my time.

[Kingair]

On Linkedin I am member of several groups . . . about 35 I guess . . .

As you probably know we are relocating this year to Cal and are setting up a new business.

The people on Linkedin helped me so much with details I really didn't heard about . . .

Last month I visited a few of them, in and around LA and they helped me with tons of info and actually . . . . all is ready to get started !

Just waiting on some extra paperwork.

To be honest . . . it wouldn't have been possible without the help from my Linkedin member friends . . . it would take me ages to get all the info . . . even . . . .

So I am a real Linkedin fan . . .

If you get more and more in contact with them . . . you will have the same relationship as here on TRF . . . an amazing experience ! ! ! !

HAGOne

[Fredrik]

I get calls from head hunters from time to time that found me via LinkedIn. I don't have my phone number there so they have to put in some effort for that. I got my last two jobs via LinkedIn.

Note that it depends a lot on your profession, I'm in software development.

[Armyguy03]

I started one up recently only because I was "ordered" by a good professional friend. He told me that employers and schools will look for it so its best to have one. I still haven't figured out how to connect with people as I cant just click and connect, I have to know an email, and I dont have an email for everyone I know because we usually just talk on the phone. Its there, but I dont really think about it. Maybe when I go back to school it will serve some purpose. No FB either, cant stand the constant pictures of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and could care less when someone checks into Walmart to buy toilet paper. I'm not against all SN sites, I do enjoy TRF.

[East Bay Rider]

I've written some recommendations for people in my network and their businesses or services I've used. I'm sure that's of some use to them.
Personally I'm ever hopeful that it will be of some use to get a different job.

[Rodentman]

Well, to clarify, I don't consider "special interest" or hobbyist forums to be social networking, although I suppose they are. I meant to the incessant "follow us on Facebook and Twitter...." Not gonna do that.

[threemonkeys]

I have 7-800 contacts and find it very useful. I definitely don't like the Facebook-y direction they seem to be going, however. Really - I don't care what you 'like' and what groups you are following.

[Vincent65]

It was no use to me whatsoever, so I deleted my account after a couple of years. All I ever got was unwanted emails from recruitment firms.

[77T]

It is useful in certain professions and in certain industries. Especially when there is much churn in the marketplace for talent.

Have 460 connections in first career and motorsports - it keeps me up to date on issues in the groups I joined and on my colleagues efforts, accomplishments and moves (both past and present).

Bottom line it is as good as you let it be.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by 77T

It is useful in certain professions and in certain industries. Especially when there is much churn in the marketplace for talent.

Have 460 connections in first career and motorsports - it keeps me up to date on issues in the groups I joined and on my colleagues efforts, accomplishments and moves (both past and present).

Bottom line it is as good as you let it be.

That's correct . . . it's useful in certain professions . . . and I am really lucky that it all worked out so well . . . and regarding spam or mails . . . I don't receive anything besides the posts in the groups . . .

HAGOne

[68camaro]

I have one because friends in business were asking me to join their network. I get requests all the time, I think because of my title and who I work for. I usually say yes because I don't want to be rude, but I've never actually went their myself except to set up profile.

No idea how many connections I have, someday might come in handy so you never know.

Chuck

[tattooedfagin]

I had a couple of colleagues / acquaintances email me about signing up, wasn't interested, sounded like an upmarket Facebook so ignored the requests....despite which they sent several reminders some people don't get the hint

[77T]

Originally Posted by Kingair

That's correct . . . and regarding spam or mails . . . I don't receive anything besides the posts in the groups . . .

Agree - the mod for each group must be very protective to avoid spammers and shut down any ASAP. LinkedIn allows you to lock down any incoming junk in your profile preferences.

[SUBversive]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I find it very useful for getting harassed by marketing scams or recruiters who either do no investigating or simply don't care and contact me for jobs I'm either over/under qualified for or don't live within 1500 miles of.

So in short it's a waste of my time.

Now I feel justified in deleting all the invite emails I get to join from "friends"

Thanks

[Boothroyd]

I have gotten positions via Linked In contacts. I was one of their early members in the mid-90's or whenever it launched. Your mileage may vary.

I work in an industry where most of my contacts are outside of my immediate proximity..across the US..and I find it very handy for staying up to date with my industry's network. Not sure of the value if your base is local market.

[psv]

I have over 1,100 contacts and I find it very useful, both inbound and outbound. In my job it is important to not only have a good network but for others to know that you are well connected as well. It all depends on what you do and how you do it, if you need to be social or not.

[Cesium133]

Good way to keep in touch with people without having to go the FB route, IMHO. I use FB for personal relationships and LinkedIn for professional relationships.

[Psmith]

Works for me, but can be annoying for a variety of reasons. Best to check your settings carefully (some are well 'hidden')

They dropped the Twitter feed some time ago, which was a good move imho

[Ramiks]

I would say it's better to have an account, but based on my experience it's all about contacts.
However, just make sure to update the competency section in your account and pick the right competencies, as recruiters run searches by competency.

& Good Luck

[Darlinboy]

Our talent acquisition group finds it to be a great networking and recruiting tool. Some of our sales team finds it a useful source of leads as well.

[justdate]

Everyone in my industry (finance) has a profile pretty much, so it's useful if I want to remember what sectors an Analyst is covering, or which bank/fund he is at now. So yeah, it is useful - a big directory of people.

[Kingair]

The only social network I use almost daily is Linkedin . . .

Im am not a FB / Twitter fan at all . . . I don't even have an account . . . and probably never will have one . . .

For me FB / Twitter is a complete waist of time . . . I rather spend that time here on TRF !

And I made some friends on TRF I guess . . . we'll I hope so . . .

HAGOne

[ezmarr]

I found LinkedIn extrememly helpful. It helped a recruiter find me and get me a great job offer! I didn't have to do anything other than create a profile. Goodbye OH hello GA!

[nyyankees]

It's a great networking tool and head hunters use it. Better to have than not!