This is an occasional series on how to maximise the benefits of Linkedin and how to use it effectively based on my experiences.

As I have mentioned before I was an 'original' user of Linkedin when it first appeared in 2003. Consequently having seen its different incarnations and developments I have used it to build and maintain relationships. It is worth pointing out it is not a substitute for good 'old fashioned' networking but a highly effective additional tool and not just for recruitment purposes!

How To Build Your Network

In Part 1 I talked about the basic information required for building a profile that is visible to others and full of content. This part I will tell you how to build your network.

Not everyone will agree with this but I feel to get the best out of LI you should only connect with people you know, have met or have been recommended by a colleague or someone else you know. The best place to start to find people is with your ex-employers. By 'clicking' on the company link in your profile you will be taken to a page that will list your ex-colleagues. Also a simple search (or an advanced search) will undoubtedly identify people who you will know. When you click on 'Add John To Your Network' you are taken to another page - asking you where you know 'John' from. Tick it and there is a default message

"I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- Russell White"

You can send this but I think it's too impersonal so add or amend the message to something more personal. Once they become a contact then you have '2nd Degree' access to their network. Depending on their settings you can look at their connections and see if there is anyone else you may know to add your network.

As  a recruiter I get many requests for connections a week. As I said I only connect with people who I know and have personally met.* (There are one or two exceptions but that's another story!). One reason why I would suggest not connecting with everyone who asks is that the 'Updates news feed' on your LI will become irrelevant to your day to day business activity.   

Recommendations

Recommendations in your profiles by others are a good way to endorse your skills and acts in a similar way as a reference. You can elicit recommendations from people, usually by writing one for them and they reciprocate. The best recommendations are those where people write them 'unilaterally' and include lots of relevant information to a particular aspect of your skill or each job role you have held.

I do believe though you can have too many! I have seen one profile that had 23 recommendations, almost all pertaining to their current role. Clearly this individual had worked hard to get people to write them for him and it looked suspicious! One or two per role is fine - if you don't have any don't worry!

Next time I will write about Groups. How to maximise their effectiveness, some interesting 'work arounds' and how t raise your profile in your industry or profession

* On LI requests for myself - I am always happy to hear from people and sending an invitation to connects is the cheapest and easiest way to ask for a connection. If you wish to connect to talk me about job roles then I will send you an email to discuss. In my Profile you will find me phone number and email address. Do contact me using these!