Understanding LinkedIn

Everyone raves about the importance of networking.  In the Internet age (was there really any other?), this means Facebook and LinkedIn.  As much as Facebook has tried to mature into social networking for professionals, its still overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time.  So I’ve made the jump to LinkedIn, but I am still finding my way on how to use it in order to keep up with my professional contacts.  As much as Facebook can be entertaining, it doesn’t seem to cut it for true professional networking.

So what exactly is LinkedIn?  With the belief that relationships matter, LinkedIn describes its service as:

LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. You can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your goals.

Forbes.com recently interviewed “networking expert” Jay Vermeiren on how to make the best use of LinkedIn.  For newbies like me, Jay recommends the following:

Build your basic network.  The real power in LinkedIn, and in networking in general, is second- and third-degree contacts. First, import contacts from your e-mail address book. When you do so, LinkedIn will create a small database. It will give you a list of people and tell you which of them are already on LinkedIn. Invite those people first. They’re on it, they understand it, and they will be the most open to accepting your invitation.

Next, reconnect with old colleagues and classmates.  LinkedIn helps you do that by recommending people based on where you went to school and where you’ve worked, from your profile information. Very quickly you can build your basic first-degree network.

I’m left wondering how one becomes a networking expert?

Read the entire interview at Forbes.com and get a free online version of Jay’s book  How to REALLY Use LinkedIn.

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