BuffettNews.com

Anyone use this? I hear it is the 21st century method of job searching and networking? Any interesting success stories, headaches?

Skibo wrote:Anyone use this? I hear it is the 21st century method of job searching and networking? Any interesting success stories, headaches?

I am Linkedin - I work in career services and employer relations so it comes in very handy....I currently have around 40 1st tier contacts which results in connecting with near 600,000 working professionals. It is definetly making my job easier. And a great way to get leads on jobs....are you in the market for a new job?

Skibo wrote:Anyone use this? I hear it is the 21st century method of job searching and networking? Any interesting success stories, headaches?

I do. It has been a great way to get in touch with former coworkers, and I have also made a few new business connections as well.

I use it. It's supposed to be a more mature version of facebook and MySpace. This is mainly used for professional positions.

Skibo wrote:Anyone use this? I hear it is the 21st century method of job searching and networking? Any interesting success stories, headaches?

I'm on LinkedIn also. Like everyone else has said, it is a great way to get in touch with former co-workers or old friends. One can definitely use it to find a new job. No issues; however, I have gotten invites from people who I have no idea who they are. They use to work at the same company I did a long time ago. Some people try to get as many "connections" (akin to facebook friends) as they can. You should not look at it as a competition to get as many connections as you can.

Hockey Mon wrote:

Skibo wrote:Anyone use this? I hear it is the 21st century method of job searching and networking? Any interesting success stories, headaches?

I'm on LinkedIn also. Like everyone else has said, it is a great way to get in touch with former co-workers or old friends. One can definitely use it to find a new job. No issues; however, I have gotten invites from people who I have no idea who they are. They use to work at the same company I did a long time ago. Some people try to get as many "connections" (akin to facebook friends) as they can. You should not look at it as a competition to get as many connections as you can.

Good point Hockey Mon. I always check out the profile of the person who invited me before accepting to see if there is anything we would have anything in common professionally. And if I invite someone, I make it a point to tell them why I want to link in with them.

I use it, but haven't seen any benefit from it. It does keep me at least marginally connected to some people that I don't keep in regular contact with if they change jobs or things like that.

PartofthePhlock wrote:

Hockey Mon wrote:

Skibo wrote:Anyone use this? I hear it is the 21st century method of job searching and networking? Any interesting success stories, headaches?

I'm on LinkedIn also. Like everyone else has said, it is a great way to get in touch with former co-workers or old friends. One can definitely use it to find a new job. No issues; however, I have gotten invites from people who I have no idea who they are. They use to work at the same company I did a long time ago. Some people try to get as many "connections" (akin to facebook friends) as they can. You should not look at it as a competition to get as many connections as you can.

Good point Hockey Mon. I always check out the profile of the person who invited me before accepting to see if there is anything we would have anything in common professionally. And if I invite someone, I make it a point to tell them why I want to link in with them.

..other than the stock email ("I want to you to be in my LinkedIn Network"). Yeah, I try to personalize it a bit too. Even if I'm really good friends with the person I try to add something funny to the email.

yeah, its job search time. My wife is trying to convince me that linkedin is all I need. Actually she is already used one of her contacts to contact one of their contacts to get my resume on a desk. yeah, I'm helpless...employed but helpless. And received some good news today, my company is sending out expense checks today...3 weeks late but they are going out.

Skibo wrote:yeah, its job search time. My wife is trying to convince me that linkedin is all I need. Actually she is already used one of her contacts to contact one of their contacts to get my resume on a desk. yeah, I'm helpless...employed but helpless. And received some good news today, my company is sending out expense checks today...3 weeks late but they are going out.

Oh yeah, you had the email about bankruptcy and all. I was working at a startup from '02 to '06 and things started to go bad in maybe '04. Bounced paychecks, late expenses paid, etc. It took a while but I had enough and finally got a new job. I don't remember if I used LinkedIn or not; I had a friend or two at my current job so he recommended me. I may have used LinkedIn to try to check out my new boss and current coworkers but they weren't in the system.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't say it's all you need but it does help. If you can find out who you are meeting with, you should look for them on LinkedIn and google them. You never know who they will know or what you might find. If it gets to that point, feel free to let me know. Maybe I'll know them (crazier things have happened).

I use Linkedin extensively for staying in touch with former co-workers, friends and to develop new contacts and leads for work. It has been very effective.