May 25, 2017
We are excited to begin a brand new blog series called, “Ask a Career Coach” where a member of our expert Coaching team will answer one of your most pressing job search and/or career related questions. Today’s question comes from Erica T. in Charleston, SC. Erica: I’m new to LinkedIn and I only have a few connections. I’d like to eventually have a respectable network and was wondering about the best (and fastest) way to add connections. Also, is it a good idea to accept LinkedIn invites from people I don’t know if they look professional? What is the protocol for that? Are there any other tips or suggestions you can share with me?
Pamela Owens: Hello Erica! These are great questions. The best way to grow your network is by adding quality people...a few at a time. A network that is built in a week is not strong. The goal with LinkedIn is to cast a broad net and this is hard to do quickly. The best way to begin is by connecting with professionals you already know. Then, look at THEIR connections to find people who are in careers or industries you’re interested in. You can reach out to connect to these people and reference your mutual acquaintance.
Be wary of accepting invites from people you don’t know. This can be a tempting strategy to get to the coveted 500+ spot quickly, but remember it’s more important to have a high-quality network than a large network. Think about people who have skills, qualifications, and experience that would be of value to you. The primary goals of LinkedIn are to connect to other professionals, find talented people, and grow your career. Keep that in mind when debating on whether to accept an invite.
Another great way to grow your network is to make a habit of getting the names of professionals you meet who impress you, or with whom you have a great conversation. You can also make your own connections at companies you admire by targeting people who are in similar careers. Send a LinkedIn networking message saying something like, “Hi Jane! I’ve been an admirer of your company for a while and I love how involved you are in the community. I’m a fellow graphic designer in Orlando and I thought it would be nice to have you in my network. All the best, Erica.” A flattering networking invite is almost always accepted if it’s professional and sincere.
Good luck!
*If you’d like to submit a question to one of our Career Coaches, send an email to coach@epropelr.com and we may publish your question in a future blog.
Need A Resume?
Let us help you craft a resume that really grabs an employer's attention.
Recent Posts
Pamela Owens is an HR Consultant for Peoplr and a Career Coach for ePropelr. She has 10+ years of experience in Human Resources, Career Coaching, and Resume Writing and is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). As a Career Coach, she works with students, recent graduates, career professionals, and C-Level executives to prepare them for a smart, effective job search.
True Story: I once had a candidate join a Zoom interview from a chair on the beach.
Don't Forget To Sign Up For Free Email Updates
Sign up below to make sure you receive the latest articles first.