Tips for inviting someone to connect on LinkedIn
Posted 04/11/2011 10:40 AM
Hopefully all of you are using LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com ) as one tool of your job search. A key aspect of that is connecting with colleagues, professors, friends, classmates, past supervisors, and especially people you meet at networking events. However, there are methods for maximizing your time and use of LinkedIn:
1) Get connected: Just having a profile on LinkedIn will do you no good. The real power lies in your secondary network, or the connections of your connections. If you have no (or few) primary connections, then you have limited secondary connections.
2) Don't be a stalker: The timing of your invitation is important. If you meet someone new at a networking event, don't run home and invite them to connect on LinkedIn two hours later. If you come across as too desperate, they may not want you in their network.
3) Don't invite everyone: Trying to directly connect with people you have never met with could have a negative impact on your LinkedIn account if those people select the "I don't know this person" button. Instead, get introduced to someone through your primary network, or send them a message first instead (if available).
4) Use tailored invites: Always modify the standard greeting "I'd like to add you to my professional network." Mention how you know the person, or provide a longer greeting for context. This will remind the recipient of who you are, and will help them want to connect with you.
For more information about these recommendations, see the source article at:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/42340353
Contact the MSOE Career Services Office if you have any questions as well.
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| Erik Oswald | Mary Spencer | Cathlyn Ferraro |