LinkedIn...Now What?

My friend Noel was the first of many to try, but I wasn't ready for it back then. I needed time.

When he sent my initial "LinkedIn" invitation, I rejected it immediately. The whole enterprise seemed more cult than not.

Over the following two years, more requests trickled into my inbox. Sent by "tech" friends, these entreaties lessened my fears of indoctrination - and Noel - but did nothing to increase the odds of my linking in.

Everyone on LinkedIn had a job, actively served in the workforce. I'm a sometime writer who sits in his boxers all day; why would I need to be LinkedIn?

Plus, there were no pictures. I mean, the best part of networking sites like myspace and facebook is searching your friends' "friends" to see if there's anybody hot to cyber-stalk, I mean, ask to be set up with. Join a business networking site with no pictures? I'd rather gargle with antifreeze.

On top of everything else, I didn't like the name. "LinkedIn" screams exclusivity, that if I'm not in...I'm out. How high school.

Which explains why I now have 142 connections.

When I received an invite from a friend of considerably less social skill, I clicked on his profile out of pity. Sheesh. The poor guy probably isn't even linked to anybody. Doesn't he get it?

The Admiral of Awkwardness had 44 connections. I would have been less shocked to learn my father had successfully opened a link I sent him in an email.

My competitive instinct kicked in faster than you can say, "You're dead after school, Loser!"

The LinkedIn invitation process is a breeze. Bam! I'd sent out 300 invitations, of which 125 were accepted. (A lot of slackers have yet to respond yes or no, as if they're waiting for a better offer. Come to think of it, that's eerily reminiscent of several prom date invitations I extended.)

Since I only care about how many connections I have - not what the LinkedIn site actually has to offer - I didn't realize that everyone can see when people accept your invitations. It's like a social scoreboard! So you can imagine how psyched I was to receive an envious email from my cousin's husband Jim. "Dude, you're on fire with the connections, 35 in a day the other day, u r making us look bad!"

That's right, dude. Cower before my connectivity!

But when I dig deeper, down past the egomania driving my connecting, I don't know why I am LinkedIn.

I haven't contacted any of my connections' connections. I haven't asked any of my connections to introduce me to any of their connections. I haven't received any recommendations for my connections' connections, nor have I sent out any recommendations for my connections. I don't know anyone who has done any of the aforementioned things. So what the hell is the purpose of LinkedIn?

At least the site allows for pictures now. But people only seem to post their companies' HR photos, which are the adult equivalent to yearbook pictures.

Despite my disillusionment, I will continue to try and LinkIn people. I have no choice...Noel has 500+ connections.

Comments

[futurevision]

Jamie,

As your LinkDaddy on LinkedIn, I'm happy you joined the service and to answer your questions.

re: LinkedIn's purpose. It's a business site, not a personal one where you just hang out. Millions of people use it for business reasons - to find a job, recruit candidates, locate sales prospects or business partners, etc. I have a list at http://linkedin.pbwiki.com/LinkedInUses. If you don't have such any such needs, then you have no reason to actively use LinkedIn.

re: your competitive instinct. There is a thriving group of open LinkedIn networkers. They're happy to connect and pump your numbers so you can pass Noel. Go to http://MyLink500.com to add your networker listing and download a list of over 1,000 LinkedIn members you can invite.

Regards,
Marc Freedman

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[samuelpablo]

What a good breakdown! I couldn't agree with you more. "...what the hell is the purpose of LinkedIn?" I try and send a message to friend, yet can't because we're not connected. I can't invite many new friends b/c so many are in limbo. And the policy on that changes.
I tried using it to look and network for a new job and the site kept crashing. LinkedIN needs an overhaul.
Thanks for writing this!