Comments on: The LinkedIn Job Seeker Connections Dilemma: Quantity or Quality? http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/ Start Attracting Opportunities Instead of Chasing Jobs Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:30:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Bruce R Roberts http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-19125 Bruce R Roberts Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:21:11 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-19125 I have enjoyed reading all the comments posted thus far. I do not think there is a right answer whether to go for quantity or quality. I have experienced both in the past 7 months as I have grown my network from 7 unto over 800. Firstly, I am sorry for those who have been out of work for a long period of time. Sometimes I have the impression at times from articles and bloggers that networking is the No 1 way of getting a career after being unemployed. I disagree as seeking a career should not putting all our eggs in one basket so to speak. Career seeking is a full time activity including networking and many other means of seeking employment. Secondly, those who have sought help from people they have connected to but have not responded for any requests for help, if the request is only by email, why not try calling them or writing them using snail mail? Sometimes people are so inundated with technology that the technology becomes overwhelming. A few times I have asked people to introduce me to others in order to connect and I have never had success. So I only connect through various types of groups including open networking groups. Thirdly, I don't believe in adding my email address to a list for anyone to connect just for the sake of having a lot of connections. That to me is what Facebook is all about, and has nothing to do with quality of networking. I hold strongly that a person needs to have a plan even in networking. The geographical areas, the career positions, the skills and the amount of activity. These are all part of the factors when accepting an invitation or requesting an invitation. I hope of some of what I have said is helpful in some way. Thanks. I have enjoyed reading all the comments posted thus far. I do not think there is a right answer whether to go for quantity or quality. I have experienced both in the past 7 months as I have grown my network from 7 unto over 800.
Firstly, I am sorry for those who have been out of work for a long period of time. Sometimes I have the impression at times from articles and bloggers that networking is the No 1 way of getting a career after being unemployed. I disagree as seeking a career should not putting all our eggs in one basket so to speak. Career seeking is a full time activity including networking and many other means of seeking employment.
Secondly, those who have sought help from people they have connected to but have not responded for any requests for help, if the request is only by email, why not try calling them or writing them using snail mail? Sometimes people are so inundated with technology that the technology becomes overwhelming. A few times I have asked people to introduce me to others in order to connect and I have never had success. So I only connect through various types of groups including open networking groups.
Thirdly, I don't believe in adding my email address to a list for anyone to connect just for the sake of having a lot of connections. That to me is what Facebook is all about, and has nothing to do with quality of networking. I hold strongly that a person needs to have a plan even in networking. The geographical areas, the career positions, the skills and the amount of activity. These are all part of the factors when accepting an invitation or requesting an invitation.
I hope of some of what I have said is helpful in some way. Thanks.

]]> By: Linda Palladino http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-15241 Linda Palladino Sat, 02 Apr 2011 21:42:32 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-15241 Kevin, When I first started with LinkedIn I was extremely careful with the persons I was connecting with. I made certain I knew them or at least their work. Now I am connecting with everyone especially professionals trying to build up their own network. It is one way I can give a helping hand. I do make certain that there is a professional "likemindedness" and I am careful with spam. I have only received two request out of my 750 first degree connections that were questionable, one I reported as spam when a person was trying to sell some products. But it has been a blast communicating and exchanging ideas with people in my field of interest and meet new people who are innovators and who are helping me to think out of the box. It has been a great experience sharing my own recommendations and hearing back from my connection that my suggestion was a great help to them. I have recently received two job leads from people out of state that I would have never have heard from if I did not open up my connections. However, 7 months later I am still unemployed and I have stopped counting on my LinkedIn connections for leads because they are far and few between, but rather use it as a tool to keep active in my field of interest and to find those few people (out of the many) who are eager to give as well as receive. A mixed bag for sure. Linda Kevin,
When I first started with LinkedIn I was extremely careful with the persons I was connecting with. I made certain I knew them or at least their work. Now I am connecting with everyone especially professionals trying to build up their own network. It is one way I can give a helping hand. I do make certain that there is a professional "likemindedness" and I am careful with spam. I have only received two request out of my 750 first degree connections that were questionable, one I reported as spam when a person was trying to sell some products. But it has been a blast communicating and exchanging ideas with people in my field of interest and meet new people who are innovators and who are helping me to think out of the box. It has been a great experience sharing my own recommendations and hearing back from my connection that my suggestion was a great help to them. I have recently received two job leads from people out of state that I would have never have heard from if I did not open up my connections. However, 7 months later I am still unemployed and I have stopped counting on my LinkedIn connections for leads because they are far and few between, but rather use it as a tool to keep active in my field of interest and to find those few people (out of the many) who are eager to give as well as receive. A mixed bag for sure. Linda

]]> By: Joseph Mullin http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-15191 Joseph Mullin Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:07:20 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-15191 My question is are you building a network or a database??? Networks are about quality of connections Database is about quantity period not relationships. It has been scientifically proven that humans can only handle about 120 relations at a time. I feel telling job seekers to go for a database is a disservice to them. It is the same as telling them to send there resume to any and all jobs out there. It is a shotgun approach and it is not really effective. Not if you are looking for a quality job. I know these are hard times and seekers are getting, if not beyond, desperate in their search. So as professional career advisors we need to be cautious in what we tell seekers. I know Kevin is like me and we want nothing more than to see everyone back to work. As a professional I try to find ways to make their connections more of quality and that will get them hired in the right job. My question is are you building a network or a database???
Networks are about quality of connections
Database is about quantity period not relationships.
It has been scientifically proven that humans can only handle about 120 relations at a time.

I feel telling job seekers to go for a database is a disservice to them. It is the same as telling them to send there resume to any and all jobs out there. It is a shotgun approach and it is not really effective. Not if you are looking for a quality job.

I know these are hard times and seekers are getting, if not beyond, desperate in their search. So as professional career advisors we need to be cautious in what we tell seekers. I know Kevin is like me and we want nothing more than to see everyone back to work. As a professional I try to find ways to make their connections more of quality and that will get them hired in the right job.

]]> By: Melanie http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-15179 Melanie Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:20:51 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-15179 I particularly liked the focus on what you can offer to the client. What is your solution. Many are still unemployed, but what is setting you apart from the others and why should an employer hire you! As a recruiting manager, I work with both clients and candidates and wish this message would be spread more as that new approach could change someone's career immediately! I particularly liked the focus on what you can offer to the client. What is your solution. Many are still unemployed, but what is setting you apart from the others and why should an employer hire you! As a recruiting manager, I work with both clients and candidates and wish this message would be spread more as that new approach could change someone's career immediately!

]]> By: Unemployed in Pasadena http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-8054 Unemployed in Pasadena Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:10:38 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-8054 I also lean toward Elizabeth's and Theresa Moretti's comments. Having 10,000 Linkedin connections to me feels unwieldy. I imagine myself on stage before a group of 10,000 strangers saying, "I'm am an unemployed bookkeeper. what need can I fill for any of you(for money of course)?" Yes Randy that would be breaking out of my confort zone. I think Ron has a point, my message to most of the 10,000 would probably be ignored as superficial, uninteresting, irrelevant and self-interested. I also lean toward Elizabeth's and Theresa Moretti's comments. Having 10,000 Linkedin connections to me feels unwieldy. I imagine myself on stage before a group of 10,000 strangers saying, "I'm am an unemployed bookkeeper. what need can I fill for any of you(for money of course)?" Yes Randy that would be breaking out of my confort zone. I think Ron has a point, my message to most of the 10,000 would probably be ignored as superficial, uninteresting, irrelevant and self-interested.

]]> By: Question of the Week: How do I grow and cultivate a real network? | Career Attraction http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-7950 Question of the Week: How do I grow and cultivate a real network? | Career Attraction Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:49:40 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-7950 [...] your loose network with likeminded people who understand “give to get.” I’ve talked about getting quality out of quantity in the past, but it’s worth repeating. You can never assume who may be able to help you or be [...] [...] your loose network with likeminded people who understand “give to get.” I’ve talked about getting quality out of quantity in the past, but it’s worth repeating. You can never assume who may be able to help you or be [...]

]]> By: jeffrey http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-7685 jeffrey Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:03:03 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-7685 Hi when it comes to quality over quantity as I said in my last post, the key is in the enviroment that you live in. The quality will always out weigh quantity. Yet this is done via critical mass, filtering out those who are not like minded as to to those whom are one by one, this is not a quick process it can take time to develop. Once done the network will become real as trust is noticed in what you do rather than just what you say. This will then allow you whom you can actually turn to for the leads, rather than expect it to be all that you approach. This is also the same offline as the key here is behind every possible lead there lies the person not the digital text on line. We can not forget we want to be respected, thus how we are respected by others is how we will respect them.It is our essence of our existence that defines our purpose and being here. This is the sense we must take when we question is LinkedIn a proper sense or tool for marketting ourselves. Hi
when it comes to quality over quantity as I said in my last post, the key is in the enviroment that you live in.
The quality will always out weigh quantity. Yet this is done via critical mass, filtering out those who are not like minded as to to those whom are one by one, this is not a quick process it can take time to develop.
Once done the network will become real as trust is noticed in what you do rather than just what you say. This will then allow you whom you can actually turn to for the leads, rather than expect it to be all that you approach. This is also the same offline as the key here is behind every possible lead there lies the person not the digital text on line. We can not forget we want to be respected, thus how we are respected by others is how we will respect them.It is our essence of our existence that defines our purpose and being here. This is the sense we must take when we question is LinkedIn a proper sense or tool for marketting ourselves.

]]> By: jeffrey http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-7682 jeffrey Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:09:56 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-7682 Is Linked In being used properly? From all that I have ready here from all the posts here,I will have to say that for the most part the majority are from the Western Society of Life and Norms within them. So let me take a a differnt apporoach to this issue: How many of you really know your neighbour? How many of you really know the guy next to you in your condo parking lot? How many of you live in an apartment in where you are really feeling belonged? If the answer is NO then it is because not that networking is the issue it is our sociey is very closed in comparitive to other societies in the world. For Example I have lived in Israel and I have being to South america as my better half is latin as well being to Europe inthese societies the concept of networking is more a way of life as these societies tend to be more open and approachable thus the network is within the culture as it is part of the enviroment that you grow up in that determines our behavior and approach. In Israel I felt that once i moved into my apartment that all the neighbors were very friendly and welcoming that it felt that they were my family this is utmost not heard of in the North Culture, The ssame was for when I was in South America and Europe I felt more connected to the people as the senxe of caring was stronger. So is lionked in not being used properly ? I think it more an Enviorment issue as opposed to Networking. Is Linked In being used properly?
From all that I have ready here from all the posts here,I will have to say that for the most part the majority are from the Western Society of Life and Norms within them.
So let me take a a differnt apporoach to this issue:
How many of you really know your neighbour?
How many of you really know the guy next to you in your condo parking lot?
How many of you live in an apartment in where you are really feeling belonged?
If the answer is NO then it is because not that networking is the issue it is our sociey is very closed in comparitive to other societies in the world. For Example I have lived in Israel and I have being to South america as my better half is latin as well being to Europe inthese societies the concept of networking is more a way of life as these societies tend to be more open and approachable thus the network is within the culture as it is part of the enviroment that you grow up in that determines our behavior and approach.
In Israel I felt that once i moved into my apartment that all the neighbors were very friendly and welcoming that it felt that they were my family this is utmost not heard of in the North Culture, The ssame was for when I was in South America and Europe I felt more connected to the people as the senxe of caring was stronger. So is lionked in not being used properly ? I think it more an Enviorment issue as opposed to Networking.

]]> By: Connecting with the Hiring Manager – No Recruiters, HR or Gate Keepers | Career Attraction http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-7175 Connecting with the Hiring Manager – No Recruiters, HR or Gate Keepers | Career Attraction Sat, 15 May 2010 00:22:15 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-7175 [...] The more first degree connections you have, the larger your phonebook. I’ve written before about my philosophy that out of quantity, quality is born. The tool I highly recommend to all my clients for building a vast 1st level of likeminded [...] [...] The more first degree connections you have, the larger your phonebook. I’ve written before about my philosophy that out of quantity, quality is born. The tool I highly recommend to all my clients for building a vast 1st level of likeminded [...]

]]> By: unemployed in Buffalo http://www.careerattraction.com/quantity-or-quality/comment-page-1/#comment-5797 unemployed in Buffalo Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:29:52 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=4271#comment-5797 I am an unemployed person trying to use the linked in network. I found that even when you use the site and request help from the mentors you have had and asked them for a reference they ignore it. I opened a linkedin account to help me make new connections through the people I knew because I was told that is how people are get better jobs these day. So, I built my profile did my reference request. I did my reference for them they requested from me but I did not get one in return. Bottom line is if the people that suggest you get onto Linkedin do not follow through and help you as they said they would it does not work the way it is supposed to. Currently I have been out of work for 5 months now sent linkedin Emails and regular email to my network friends or thought they were friends because I never got any replies back. So even if you worked with these people and they said Oh sure I will Help Don't count on it. The best thing I found to remember when you are dealing with a network like this is EVERYONE is for them selves and looks out for no one in this economic world except themselves. So we need to look out for a ourselves alone for those that get help they need great but it does not always happen. I know I will get another job somewhere down the road but I am not going to count on the People I network with to help me because Sometimes in reality it does not happen. People have busy lives and friends sometime slip through the loop and get forgotten. Please do not think I hate anyone I have networked with because they seem to have forgotten me because, I don't, I just think it is a shame that people persevering that this will be a big help to network to get a job when sometimes in reality it does not help as it was meant to do. So sorry, to sound so negative but, that is my reality people I thought I could count on to help in my time of need like I did for them they got there jobs but I am still looking everyday on every website and paper or article I find . There is a job out there for me but I am going to have to find it my self. I am an unemployed person trying to use the linked in network. I found that even when you use the site and request help from the mentors you have had and asked them for a reference they ignore it. I opened a linkedin account to help me make new connections through the people I knew because I was told that is how people are get better jobs these day. So, I built my profile did my reference request. I did my reference for them they requested from me but I did not get one in return. Bottom line is if the people that suggest you get onto Linkedin do not follow through and help you as they said they would it does not work the way it is supposed to. Currently I have been out of work for 5 months now sent linkedin Emails and regular email to my network friends or thought they were friends because I never got any replies back. So even if you worked with these people and they said Oh sure I will Help Don't count on it. The best thing I found to remember when you are dealing with a network like this is EVERYONE is for them selves and looks out for no one in this economic world except themselves. So we need to look out for a ourselves alone for those that get help they need great but it does not always happen. I know I will get another job somewhere down the road but I am not going to count on the People I network with to help me because Sometimes in reality it does not happen. People have busy lives and friends sometime slip through the loop and get forgotten. Please do not think I hate anyone I have networked with because they seem to have forgotten me because, I don't, I just think it is a shame that people persevering that this will be a big help to network to get a job when sometimes in reality it does not help as it was meant to do. So sorry, to sound so negative but, that is my reality people I thought I could count on to help in my time of need like I did for them they got there jobs but I am still looking everyday on every website and paper or article I find . There is a job out there for me but I am going to have to find it my self.

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