LinkedIn: What's the deal? Upsides? Downsides?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Over the past few months I’ve had a few professional colleagues invite me to join their LinkedIn networks. I don’t like joining anything willy-nilly, so I tried to poke around the LinkedIn site first to find out what the whole thing is about. I did not learn much. There is very little they let you know unless you join, and I don’t want to join until I know more.

So, what’s the deal with LinkedIn? What’s it all about? Are there advantages? Disadvantages? Is it worth joining, and why?

Thanks all, in advance.

2

A way to stay in touch with people, mostly people you meet professionally. I’ve found it a great way to get back in touch with people I’d lost contact with, since once you’re in you can see the links that other people have.

I’ve not really seen a downside. It’s not generated any junk mail, save the occasional note from LinkedIn. I think they try and sell membership upgrades, but I’ve done fine with the free version. Biggest downside is that there are other similar networking sort of sites, and I’ve gotten a few invite from people who’ve moved on to those. I’m more a pick-one-and-stay-with-it kind of guy.

3

I’ve been contacted from friends that are connected…I joined and like it but I do not use it to it’s full potential…I probably should.

4

It’s a good professional networking tool. I’ve used it to stay connected with past & current colleagues and clients. It’s a mix between a social networking site and an online resume. It’s legit and above-board, and not shady or spammy or cheeszy. I think it’ll especially come in handy if you are looking for a new job or new business opportunities/partners.

5

Think of it like Facebook but for grown-ups. It’s an easy way to maintain contacts with professional colleagues, and your contacts can see your resume and post professional recommendations and whatnot.

Don’t pay for any of the extra features, though. They’re lame.

6

What they said. Haven’t really found any significant downside, but occasionally get asked to link with people I barely know.

7

I get two types of emails from LinkedIn. One is someone I know who needs to fill a position that may or may not be something I’m interested in. The other is the random recruiter emailing me to say they’ve “FOUND A PERFECT JOB FOR YOU!!!” The first is ok, as if it’s something I can help fill everyone wins, but the second annoys me, because they are just headhunters who are just cold-calling me to see if they can find me a job.

I’m not a fan of social networking sites, but even being an inactive member of LinkedIn, I have a pretty wide array of ‘contacts’ from jobs dating back 10 years. I’ve noticed a trend to move to a new system, can’t remember the name, but I’m fighting it…we’ll see.

8

When I get those, I always make sure to check the “I don’t know this person” button, rather than ignore it. When a user racks up too many of those from his invitees, LinkedIn will ban the account.

9

I both found my current job through LinkedIn, and got back in touch with someone I hadn’t seen for twenty years.

I found a job listing at the XYZ company that sounded like a good fit. I used the LinkedIn feature that lets you see people who work at company XYZ, and lo and behold there was a name I hadn’t seen in twenty years. I then used the LinkedIn feature that lets you forward a message through the LinkedIn network, contacted that person, had him submit my resume for the job, and got the job and back in touch with an old friend.

I have not had any bad experiences with LinkedIn. I get the occasional cold contact about possible jobs, but so far they’ve always seemed to be reasonably good fits, not like some sleazy headhunter is just scatter-shooting. I can’t complain about that.