LinkedIn or not LinkedIn that is the question?

Since being invited to join LinkedIn (ref http://www.linkedin.com/answers/using-linkedIn/ULI/33970-2308560) two months ago, I've been digging deeper into the whole online networking space. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linkedin )

A network is a key environment to pool information and, if done astutely can reap great dividends. The age of the recruiter finding you a job is waining. In LinkedIn, if you have a large enough network then you have direct inroads via trusted advisors to get into interviews via internal referrals.

Networking in its strictest form is an age old phenomenon and as the "how to build your network" article (accessible here http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/uzzi/ftp/uzzi%27s_research_papers/uzzi_dunlap%20hbr.pdf ) states, they have to be carefully constructed.

A couple of great introductions to the benefits of using LinkedIn are as follows..

• http://www.diblog.com/2004/04/how_to_build_yo.html - an article by Walter Adamson. Walter provides compelling evidence that a network is not a spam of everyone a person knows, but is a carefully contrived strategic tool.
• Guy Kawasaki goes further @ http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/01/ten_ways_to_use.html and gives advice of how you can tailor your profile to gain maximum benefit.

To make this succeed then having some well connected individuals in your level 1 connection swells the number of searchable contacts tremendously. One of those super connected individuals, Stan Relihan explains on the http://gdayworld.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/03/28/gday-world-219-using-linkedin-as-a-business-tool/ podcast the benefits of using LinkedIn as a business tool (well worth listening too!)

A final word of caution has been spelt out by Mark & Mike on Manager Tools (http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/05/building-a-network/). It pays to have a diverse network, because if you stick to one company and you all get laid off what are you going to talk about... Another day out of work eh :(

Take my advice - pick the best people in their fields of expertise and network up...

The collective is where its at..