Question for people better networked than me

[norwich36]

I created an account on Linked In about a year or so ago mainly because people I used to work with kept inviting me to join their network, and since my job situation is always precarious I figured it couldn't hurt. I haven't done much more than upload my bare-bones resume and add people when they request to be on my network. Generally those folks are people I know from work, but I'm starting to get requests from people I don't know--colleagues of former colleagues and that sort of thing. Is there any reason to say no to these requests? I mean, if it were Facebook I would say no because I don't want my page cluttered with a lot of crap I won't read, and every so often I do post semi-private things on Facebook, but as far as I can tell the whole purpose of Linked In is to expand your network for job-hunting, right? Is there a reason I can't think of at the moment why I should not add anyone who requests it to my network?

Comments

[norahy.livejournal.com]

I'd say no, no reason not to add people to your LinkedIn network, if you use it exclusively for job-related stuff.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's my general feeling, though I wanted to see what other people thought.

[huzzlewhat.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you asked this. Because I'm in the same situation. I get a lot of requests from people I don't know, and I never know whether or not to accept. I figure as long as they're in the same industry as myself, it's good to expand my network. But Linked In itself has a general warning about adding people you don't know personally and know well, and that scares me off every time. So I've got a list of invites languishing....

Sorry for the babble. Overcaffeinated!

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I didn't realize there was a warning against adding people you don't know. I did do some googling and someone warned against adding spam accounts (though I don't really understand HOW you spam LinkedIn), but I don't think I ever actually read any info on Linked In before I joined. Probably dumb, but it doesn't seem to have hurt me yet.

[talitha78.livejournal.com]

I just approve all those requests--it hasn't harmed me so far. :)

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

Good to know! Thanks.