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SORTING THROUGH LINKEDIN requests can be overwhelming.
Do you connect with that person who shares your blog posts via Twitter all the time? The hiring manager of a company you’re interested in? Or what about that seemingly credible stranger who could be a valuable business contact?
We posed this question to LinkedIn’s career expert Catherine Fisher, who recommends only accepting people you know and trust — people you’ve worked with, had conversations with, or met at an industry event.
“It’s not a numbers game,” Fisher tells us. “It’s about quality, not quantity.”
The quality of your connections can send a good or bad message, which is why “over-connecting” — accepting any request that lands in your inbox — could ultimately hurt your credibility.
Be selective and connect to the people that are really a reflection of your professional identity, advises Fisher. This way you will create a network that is useful and effective in supporting your career goals.
‘The favour test
Another good rule of thumb: “the favour test.” Ask yourself, “Would I do a favor for this person, or ask a favor of them?” If the answer is yes, accept the invitation. If not, pass.
On the flip side, if you’re interested in reaching out to a potentially valuable contact, approach it as you would any networking event. You wouldn’t pass out business cards to everyone you run into at a cocktail party and walk away; the same goes for LinkedIn.
Rather than requesting them right away, go to that specific person’s LinkedIn profile, identify who you have shared connections with, and ask for one of your first or second degree connections to make an introduction or recommendation.
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Hilary Mantels criticism of Kate is just – “jealousy” – she, Hilary is probably like the back of a bus gone wrong.
she is lillian.
But Hilary Mantel is such a wonderful writer, being the first woman ever to win the Booker prize twice, plus winning the Costa prize in 2012. I doubt she would be the jealous type.
In response to Lillian’s comment
Mantel’s comments were taken out of context by the Daily Mail of all publications. It was part of a larger lecture on the royal family and was largely sympathetic.
Shame on the journal for mindlessly repeating such sensationalized gossip and shame on Lillian and some of the commentators for stooping so low as to speculate on what Mantel looks like. She’s a great author and a great intellectual, why is it in any way important what she looks like? Get a grip.
Take a good look at Mantel it’s uncalled for what she said
@AnnMarie We don’t see your face are you ashamed of your own appearance –
don’t tell me to get a grip
That is so unfair, and mean of this woman. The duchess of cambridge is a lovely girl, and seems like a down to earth, normal person trying to fit in and find her way. Why do people have to be so mean and nasty. This woman should keep her opinions to herself. Just because she is a famous writer does not give her the right to judge anybody. I too think she is just jealous, why else would a person be so cruel to another human being. This is totally uncalled for.
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