LinkedIn Questions - Virtual Assistant Forums

moretime_cassi · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008

I did a search on LinkedIn to see who I could possibly connect to from my past jobs and I found a few people, but they are all set to private, so I can't even see who they are. One or two even had my department listed.

Is there a way that I can find out who these people are and get in touch with them? Let me guess: Only by paying $20/month to LinkedIn?

I'm trying to get an idea of what I can do with LinkedIn - if anyone can point me in the direction of somewhere I can get some information, I would be appreciative!

VagabondetteVA · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008

Usually the best way to get started is to upload your contact list and see who's out there already. Once you're connected with people you can see the names of their connections so it drastically increases the number of names you can see.

For example, through my extended network I'm connected to over a million people. So if you connected with me, you'd get to see the names of many of those people, some of whom might be people you know or be connected to people you know.

moretime_cassi · #3 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008

I tried uploading my Yahoo contact list and now it looks like it wants to email everyone and ask them to connect. Is this the path I want to be on? It sounds like a hassle to me. Is there something else I should be doing instead?

lanelt · #4 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008

I think (think being the key word there not know) that once you enter your past work history and school information you'll see profiles for people you might know. That's how I've connected to past coworkers. If I do a search for companies I used to work I don't see them...just generic information on them. But, I get notices telling me I might know someone when new people sign up.

At least I think that's how I've connected to some people...I know, I'm not much help. What I'm trying to say is enter all your information and see what happens.

deannatroupe · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008

You could enter your information and see what happens. You could also look for LinkedIn groups that focus on whatever your niche is and join them.

deannatroupe · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008

I almost forgot that you can always link to me. Just send me a pm and I'll send you the information to you so you can send me an invitations. For some reason I can't send any but I accept all invitations to connect.

kathiemt · #7 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008

Originally Posted by moretime_cassi

I tried uploading my Yahoo contact list and now it looks like it wants to email everyone and ask them to connect. Is this the path I want to be on? It sounds like a hassle to me. Is there something else I should be doing instead?

Yes, this is what you want to do - once it's uploaded then you can tick who you want the invitation to go out to. Make sure you only invite those who know you personally, not just casual contacts or people who have emailed you at some time, but with no personal connection. If you get 5 IDKs (I don't know's) marked against you, your ability to invite people will be suspended for awhile so you don't want to do that. I think I've had about 3 so far. I've been an active member for about 14 or 15 months and have over 8 million connections third level now. I haven't asked all my first connections to connect - many of them invite me, so I've not used up all my invitation yet either.

moretime_cassi · #8 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008

Thanks for all of your help, ladies. I've started to get the hang of it and now have 1 connection and a few more on the horizon.

Thanks for the offer, DeAnna, but I'm going to stick to people I know IRL.