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Recruiters are paying for LinkedIn and can message you whenever they want, why do you need them to be a connection? I take the exact opposite approach and only

Recruiters are paying for LinkedIn and can message you whenever they want, why do you need them to be a connection? I take the exact opposite approach and only exclude recruiters. I figure by doing this my network is my legitimate business connections which I can use to further myself professionally.

folkrav 8y ago
> legitimate business connections which I can use to further myself professionally Legitimately curious, how do you use these connections to further your career? Other than coworkers and people interested in hiring me and/or recruiters, and some bigger names, I didn't really see any other use to LinkedIn yet...
- bradenb 8y ago
  To be fair, I said "can" use them, not necessarily that I do :) But, I have actually reached out to connections to discuss business opportunities. Since the connections live in the world where I have done business, they are more likely to know and trust that I can deliver on their business needs.
emodendroket 8y ago
They have a gazillion other connections they'll put you in indirect contact with, making it easier to view their profiles, message them, etc. Unless you're trying to "inbox zero" LinkedIn or really care about curating your feed or are adding really infamous characters I can't see much downside to accepting requests.
- bradenb 8y ago
  Sure, I guess they put you in contact with them, but why would that person talk to you? If they'll talk to random people on the internet, why not just email them or DM them on Twitter or use any other means beyond LinkedIn? If, however, that person sees that they are connected to you via some other person they know and trust, I think they'll be more likely to take you serious.
  - emodendroket 8y ago
    How do I know their personal Twitter, if they even have one? LinkedIn is specifically professional, so if I have a professional query for a stranger it seems like a much better venue then tracking down the person on Facebook or Twitter (assuming I even know who, specifically, I'm looking for, and can find them, on these other sites).

folkrav 8y ago

> legitimate business connections which I can use to further myself professionally Legitimately curious, how do you use these connections to further your career? Other than coworkers and people interested in hiring me and/or recruiters, and some bigger names, I didn't really see any other use to LinkedIn yet...

bradenb 8y ago
To be fair, I said "can" use them, not necessarily that I do :) But, I have actually reached out to connections to discuss business opportunities. Since the connections live in the world where I have done business, they are more likely to know and trust that I can deliver on their business needs.

emodendroket 8y ago

They have a gazillion other connections they'll put you in indirect contact with, making it easier to view their profiles, message them, etc. Unless you're trying to "inbox zero" LinkedIn or really care about curating your feed or are adding really infamous characters I can't see much downside to accepting requests.

bradenb 8y ago
Sure, I guess they put you in contact with them, but why would that person talk to you? If they'll talk to random people on the internet, why not just email them or DM them on Twitter or use any other means beyond LinkedIn? If, however, that person sees that they are connected to you via some other person they know and trust, I think they'll be more likely to take you serious.
- emodendroket 8y ago
  How do I know their personal Twitter, if they even have one? LinkedIn is specifically professional, so if I have a professional query for a stranger it seems like a much better venue then tracking down the person on Facebook or Twitter (assuming I even know who, specifically, I'm looking for, and can find them, on these other sites).