LinkedIn

[mielke]

I'm currious to the extent and kind of use of Linked-In for other engineers. Specifically what are the unspoken limits of adding potential/existing customers or vendors or competitors etc...or how engineers use it as a tool to further their career.

Thanks

 

[rbulsara]

Sign up and check it out. Its free for the basic membership. I do not see any limits on adding contacts as long as they accept your invitation. Many members can only be contacted (based on their settings) by "Inmail' which is a paid service or through a common contact.

However, the quantity of contacts does not mean much unless you really know someone.

Such sites are inundated with recruiters and sales people so if you are looking to contact recruiters, it would work. As for seeking clients, you need to be very selective.

There is no magical or immediate benefits, but it could not hurt to be there.

Just my two cents.



Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com

 

[photoengineer]

I use LinkedIn and find it beneficial. It doesn't seem to have too many recruiters / salesmen on there and it is a professional way of connecting with your clients.



Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[brandoncdg]

I just started mine 2 weeks ago and found it pretty nice to see almost all my linkedin friends are owners of their companies.

Other than that, I am still trying to figure out what to do with the site.

Any owners feel free to add me. =)

http://www.linkedin.com/in/cdgengineer

Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading

http://cdg-ca.com

 

[KENAT]

thread731-222190

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[ctopher]

I used it to find a job. Now I login now and then for different group info.

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[Noway2]

My impression was that on the surface it looked like a great way to look up and contact someone. Unfortunately, it appears that you have to pay serious dollars for this function. The alternative was to send an invitation, but if that is rejected you will quickly become black-listed. So far, I have found the site to be all hype and of little practical value for the average person. I suspect that for someone who is running a business that it would be a different story.

 

[rbulsara]

One good way is to join Groups there. Then you can send messages to members in that group without paying. I have gotten positive responses that way.

You can also participate in some discussions and draw attention and send pvt. message from there.

Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com

 

[Waidesworld]

I am seeing a lot more jobs posted on Linked In in the groups section. The upside of this is that the jobs are specific to that group (for the most part).
In Monster, for example, if you have any type of sales in your resume, even as a sales support engineer, you will be inundated with offers ranging from Aflac to car dealerships. This doesn't happen in Linked In.
I have linked with a few of my customers/distributors in case I need them down the road.
If you don't link with a recruiter, you don't really hear from them.

drawn to design, designed to draw

 

[ivymike]

I go back and forth about linking with recruiters.. .on one hand, I'm not looking at te moment, and don't need the distraction. On the other hand, that might not be the case tomorrow.