Comments on: Make a Better Connection on LinkedIn #FabFive

By: jarosjak

jarosjak — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 09:00:58 +0000

@Peg Fitzpatrick Sorry for the late answer. Read your reply on mail, and forgot all about it.

Usually the recommendations are fair (at least I think mine are).

In Denmark we’re unfortunately a bit bound by some unwritten rules about not thinking you’re something special. This makes us less prone to ask for appraisal by our peers and superiors. The professor recommendations in general are very rare in Denmark and are, to my knowledge, seen as a privilege for the students that do special projects with the professor – and is not something you ask for directly. I might be given to you, if not it’s insinuated that you’d like one, if it is not too much to ask.

A bit different from most other places around the world (except Scandinavia I’d guess)

By: Peg Fitzpatrick

Peg Fitzpatrick — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:38:37 +0000

@jarosjak I have had mixed luck with the recommendations as well. I would hope that recommendations are fair and honest, not just based on recipriocity.

Are students getting recommendations from professors for LinkedIn these days? Best wishes on your graduation and good luck in your job search.

By: jarosjak

jarosjak — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:57:37 +0000

As a nearly graduate I tend to have as big a network as possible. Especially on LinkedIn – I have no chance of knowing from where my first job will come. Once settled into the first job, I’ll definitely clean out my connections.

As for recommendations, there’s an awfull tendency for a 1:1/quid-pro-quo understanding. If I ask for a recommendation from someone I’m instantly asked to recommend them back. But does that not completely cancel out the effect and purpose of a recommendation?

By: Peg Fitzpatrick

Peg Fitzpatrick — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:52:00 +0000

I agree with your thinking on open networking, that isn’t for me either. I am trying to keep it a pure, true network for me. I don’t add people that I don’t know. As far as I know, there is no prize for the most connections on LinkedIn so what’s the point?

Recommendations are especially important because they are a reflection of you and if you write one for someone you don’t know it could turn out badly.

By: Garick Chan

Garick Chan — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Well, I know many have their own etiquette about who to connect with on LinkedIn. Some are LIONs and openly network with most everyone but to me, this is not much different than searching a phonebook.

Social networks are about trust for me and I only care to connect with those that I know, trust, and can possibly recommend or refer for business.