What's the point of Linked In?

So I have a linked in account. Seems like everyone does.

But what's the point?
Just to have a profile and a presence on the web so people can look you up?

This came up in conversation today with a couple of my cohorts. They asserted that they don't know a single person whose career has benefited or who has gotten a job through connections on linked in.
What do you think?
Do you have a Linked In profile?
How do you make it work for you?

 

I think Linked In only works when you work it.

From a social media standpoint, that's kinda par for the course.

Do you want lots of fans on your Facebook Page? You have to work it.

Do you want lots of followers on Twitter? You have to work it.

Do you want lots of contacts for potential leads, clients, jobs, employees, etc.? You have to work it.

Most people don't. They set up a profile and just let it float there. I'm guilty of that, but I never really needed Linked In that much. In the future, if I look for potential opportunities, I may use it. Apparently, people find things by participating in group discussions. That, apparently, is the key.

 

I don't use it. In my experience, I tend to see email invites from my business contacts (which you get when someone first signs up to LI and dumps all their contacts into the 'hey, invite them!' list) either right before they jump ship, or right after they lose a job. I can't say if it has helped them or not.

 

Actually, I'm pretty sure that your government has already installed keyloggers on all of the citizenry's electronic devices, so it doesn't matter at this point where you go. It all comes from the source.

 

I like it...it helps me.

But I'm a computer mercenary...so lots of recruiters are looking at my background. (and I can get back in touch with them at a later time)
The contacts are also good to keep in the loop with ex-associates and keep connections and references.

The recommendations you get, believe it or not...the hiring mgrs do look...so if they think you haven't "rigged" it...they like to see the complements.

I'd rather my professional associates emphasize linkedin not the other personal media. (let's not mix apples & oranges)

 

I need to fix mine. It's not particularly up-to-date at the moment. Few people in my field use LinkedIn, so it's not a big deal. In my husband's field, it's a bigger deal.

 

Stan - so you find it useful. Great!
How so?
What do you do with it?
How do you make it work for you?
Is it just connecting with people, or do you interact with people through it...

I can honestly say I've never used it other than to see if I could find a photo of someone because I was going to meet them in person.

 

I really appreciate all the answers everyone has provided on this thread. It sounds like it's just not used much in my field, but moreso in others. Though I could just be missing out on activity by not familiarizing myself enough with the place. I guess I will look harder to see if there are connections I can make with applicable societies and companies, and maybe see if there are discussions that I can join in on.

Poor melted metal glob. What a terrible story. But I must admit, I feel honored that you blessed this thread with a goofy meme.

 

I use it to see just who I know at companies that I'm interested in finding information. It helps me also corroborate stories that people tell about their work history. Conversely, recruiters use it to make small talk with me asking me if I know so and so at whatever company during some time.

 

eh...whatever, if people know I'm looking at their profile...then let them.
you know who you are....
and I wasn't wrong.

Same philosophy when I saw an ex-client boss (asshole at that...) on the Metro the other day...I saw him, he saw me.
I didn't acknowledge him, he looked scared or uncomfortable...and got off immediately at that last stop.
That's right...move on, you don't affect me.

Hell, I've even had old bosses I've gotten canned (abuses) and I've hated, that still contact me on Linkedin.
Same with ex-associates who were jerks.
Whatever, I don't mind...an asshole now can become a resource later.

My philosophy, if I don't have to work with you...you don't bother me.
Same with my friggin' ex'es...as long as I don't have to deal with them directly...they don't bother me.
It's the damn virtual world...and I'm not a celeb or VIP, so it's a wash.

BTW...in turn, you can see what people are looking at you...and that may be interesting. hmm...

 

In some places, yes...at least for LinkedIn. (Facebook is considered a "playground")
It depends on the environ and the industry you're in.

They'll "raise an eyebrow" or it's frowned upon...or you're looked on as "lacking" something.

But if your associates have never said anything about it in your career, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Again, since I do many varieties of projects...it helps having "one more" place of connection. The contracting game is like that...and biz dev.
Kind of like advertising.
If you do it right, it won't hurt.

Ask your co-workers if they do it...or even better, the mgmt...the execs and suits are more hip as to what's the "thing" to do to get up.
Grunts don't care...but then again, they're typically desk-jockeys...if you're ambitious, then you may want to reconsider. Everything counts.