Posted on April 3, 2008 - by Lindsey

The Power of Being LinkedIn

Lately I’ve spent some time updating my profile on LinkedIn. For a long time I had decided not to join LinkedIn – I figured that there are only so many social media sites you can join before you’ve gone into overload. Then I noticed that Lisa had a LinkedIn profile, and I totally had to copy her . . . well, actually, I wanted to write her a review, and I had to join to do that, and thus my profile was born.

Then, once I started to look around, I realized that LinkedIn is really unlike any other social media site. I mean, this one is basically an online directory of resumes that allows you to publicize your networking. It really is all about career stuff. I think it’s really neat to be able to keep up with everyone and see where they’re going, who they’re working with, and what exciting things they are doing now.

Around this time, I saw the true power (at least in the technology industry) that LinkedIn has for professional uses – we actually used LinkedIn to hire a new designer for E. Webscapes. The response to the post at LinkedIn was overwhelming . . . this social media phenomenon really surprised me. You mean we can do more than just poke each other and turn people into zombies? I’m officially impressed.

So, having come to these conclusions, I decided to bulk up my profile and fill in as many sections as I could (I’m at 90% complete – I just need 2 more recommendations . . . interested?). But I quickly realized that the true power of LinkedIn lies within its networking capabilities. I have been looking through all the people I went to school with and I have also been seeking out everyone in my contacts so that I can maximize the network.

So here is my call to all of you! If you are on LinkedIn and we aren’t networked yet, let’s make that happen! Here is my profile – hook it up. If you are NOT on LinkedIn, I am inviting you to join us in this productive social media site (and strangely that’s not a complete oxymoron). Click on my profile link above and you will be able to join up there.

See, not so bad? This makes networking actually FUN!