"LinkedIn": Has anybody used it?
 

Just wondering if any Planeteers have found this a useful site for networking. It seems to have the right idea. Is it worth joining and paying the fees? I have a small business and would like the benefit of networking.

If not this one, are there other better sites?

Thanks in advance

:toast:

It's pretty good for being a social networking site for businesspeople. It makes it easier to keep track of people when they change jobs. I've never used their paid stuff, though.

I've tried to avoid it. It's like freaking crack in my line of work. You'd think it was World of Warcraft the way some of the sales guys spend time on it.

I use it but I don't think my industry (entertainment) is as well suited to what it offers.

I use it to keep track of former co-workers but I didn't even know there was a pay option. I just list some former buddies and or boss's and thats it.

i use it. But my company (Tech company) mainly uses it for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Purposes.

It's meh for networking and we just use the free side.

Thanks for the feedback guys. LOL at htis' answer.....typical!

I'll probably explore it for a while for free and see where it goes.

Any other input is welcome.

BRC - I searched for a few friends/competitors and to see their "full profile" you had to become a business level member (IIRC). That was $25/month.

Seems like most people get what they want from the free aspect.

I had heard before that the best advantage was finding people who had changed jobs/companies.

Thanks again.

I've gotten a few calls on jobs from that site, and hooked up with some friends from old jobs. But I just use the free version.

Absolutely. Use it for business, tracked down some old college buddies, former peers and bosses.... Even got a job lead from it....

Free seems worth it.

I use it to keep track of people that I've worked with and for sales... I use it to "find people" within certain companies. I don't pay for anything...

This.

Plus the Groups are a GREAT way to network and find experts in your business niche.

I use it to keep track of people that I've worked with in the past. Plus, I figure its not a bad thing to be on if an employer is looking for someone in my field.

I too only use the free items on the site.

Same for me

Im LinkedIn, but i don't use it. seems cool, but i dont have the time to use it.

I use it for business contacts It's useful there. Only the free side and I get periodic hits from recruiters looking for people(one every month or two). Granted I work tech and it's quite popular but good to build a network if you need to find a job.

I am on the free side and have joined the Chiefs and Royals groups, even tried to point some people to here.

I have found it very useful in connecting with people.

Thanks, guys. I can't believe I never heard about it until the other day. I'm in the thoroughbred horse business (bloodstock consultant). There are plenty of groups dedicated to horses, racing, equestrian sports etc. but the first one I joined has a message board that is dead (last post was last fall). Anyway, we'll see what happens....

I'm going to need some help utilizing this service as I have no idea how to use it to my advantage.

I will endorse the hell out of you.

I used it to find my current gig, but I have not used their pay stuff.

Right! It's not ChiefsPlanet.

When I was hired at WB every small business person tried to connect with me. When I left WB and needed a job it was totally useless.

F*** LinkedIn.

I've been contacted on it by recruiters 3 or 4 times without even looking for a job. Haven't been interested yet, but who knows in the future? Seems like a good deal to me.

I got 3 interviews out of it for jobs that I would like to have. Not bad, but maybe I was just lucky.

I don't quite understand why this is such a big deal. Is it used as a resume when applying for jobs to make sure people aren't lying on their resume?

I don't think mine would be very impressive. Skills include sleeping until noon, getting berated by people, whaling.

You gotta turn those into strengths. It's all in the wording.

Sounds like he is good with time management and experienced with conflict resolution, lol

I use it as a reference point for company and employee information. Helps when looking for a certain type of employee.

Hookers?

Boom!

You are a real straight shooter with Management written all over you.

Yeaaaa, I'm going to have to disagree with that. I've been having some trouble with my TPS reports lately.

It's for professionals, not deadbeats.

Just because you don't wake up at 630am doesn't make you a deadbeat.

Don't sweat it dude. I wake up 3 minutes before my first conference call, pull my laptop over, attend, roll over and go back to sleep till my next one. I'll start my day after that.