LinkedIn Connections?
How does one go about getting strategic connections on LinkedIn?
Just adding random people hoping they accept you?
How does one go about getting strategic connections on LinkedIn?
Just adding random people hoping they accept you?
Career Resources
The worst thing to do is to add people without writing a customized message explaining what you want from them...
If I add somebody I don't know, I make sure to write 2-3 sentences...
So something along the lines of: "I noticed that you're going into Finance, as am I. I have added you so we can mutually benefit from connections and get opportunities in the Financial sector. Thanks."
Like that?
Sure, that could work. I have also found it useful to ask them a question after accepting your connect request. By them accepting you, you already know they are willing to chat.
I have recently connected with alumni from the MS in Banking/Finance program I will start this fall, and after they accept my connect request I generally ask them a basic question regarding the program. I am always sure to thank them for their advice, and I always open the door for more questions. You will be surprised how much a random stranger is willing to help an enthuisistic newbie.
Consider the following:
"Sir/Ma'am,
Thank you for accepting my connect request. It appears I will be starting the program you completed two years ago - how was your experience?
Very Respectfully, Joshua"
I think - I'm not expert - that this opens a friendly channel of communication. By using this type of approach I have developed a few "online networks" that I turn to frequently for questions and career advice. I have also made friends with people I have found on LinkedIn in my area.
I recently attended an international delegation and I was given a great piece of advice: focus on relational, not transactional relationships. I met many people in the delegation I attended, but guess who I am going to want to work with in the future? The guys and gals I grabbed a few beers with, not the random people I exchanged biz cards with.
Basically, don't be afraid to try and make friends on LinkedIn. Connect with people in your area, and after a few exchanges, invite them out for a coffee or beer. Are you more willing to help out a friend or a network?
On that note, feel free to PM me. I would love to chat and gather an alternate perspective on business relations and networking.
I'm trying to increase my network on Linkedin PM me if you are interested in adding each other
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Stop being so uncomfortable. Connect and in the body of the message tell them that you're interested in IB or w/e it is, and that you're looking for advice, then politely ask to set up a call over the coming days or weeks.
I'm not sure if I'm typical, but I wouldn't accept a random LinkedIn request from a college kid. I need to know the person offline, or at least have had a phone conversation before I'm willing to add someone.
I added some random Investment Bankers asking them for advice.
Hopefully they accept. Although you're probably right about them not randomly accepting a college kid.
Just wanted to give an update for people in the future wanting to try this:
It has worked. People from Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, etc. have added me. Looks like people are always happy helping others in Finance.
Adding people you don't know is completely pointless, in my book. I use LinkedIn to keep tabs on where people are these days. I can't imagine how it would be useful to add strangers. Someone tell me why it would be helpful.
So according to your logic, you can't become friends or something with strangers?
Nailed it
I'm added people with relevance. So for example they are all either alumni of my Highschool or my University.
Going off this, is it proper etiquette to bring up mutual connections? Let's say you go in for an interview / meeting and you look up the person before hand and notice a mutual connection. Is it okay to say I looked into your profile and noticed you also know X?
I think it's a bit weird... And in fact, I think LinkedIn is a good way to keep updated with what your peers are doing, but not really a good tool to connect with senior people. Also, I've heard from a banker in DB that he often feels offensive when the interviewee has viewed his LinedIn profile beforehand. And you know, people all use LinkedIn to develop their network with senior ppl or hunters and to seek a better post, so why they have the incentives to help a stranger simply because this stranger is interested in this industry. But accd to my own experience, I think it's absolutely fine to know your interviewer's profile and have a general idea of what kind of person he or she is, but never mention it during the interview. Well, it's true that some may think you've made efforts and being proactive, but some may really hate this... At least for me, I won't take a risk on this point.
Well I planned on asking for tips on how to maximize my stay in uni. Something like "if you could go back to uni what would you have wished you done?" and then I'd do everything they missed out, and prosper in that aspects. I could also get them to give me advice on how they went from uni to the job they're at.
I imagine that having people on LinkedIn is better than having no one on LinkedIn...
good
Don't 'plan on' doing anything, get out there and make that call. Your LinkedIN connections are useless unless you're following up and making a 'real connection'. Get them on the phone, don't sound like a complete idiot, and follow-up. Rinse and repeat. For some variety offer to meet in person.
How easily do you "Connect" with someone on Linkedin? (Originally Posted: 11/17/2013)
If you have a phone conversation with them after a cold e-mail do you add them on Linkedin? Do you wait until you meet them in person (meaning a lot of your cold emails won't lead to connections?)? Do you only do it with people you're close with? People you know from high school/college/co-workers, current close clients?
Obviously everyone has a different way of using it, but wondering what you do.
Depends on their position. If it's a younger analyst, then if I've had a few good convos with them over the phone, I feel fine inviting them to connect. If it's a VP/MD, etc I usually won't try to connect unless there's been some sort of meaningful in person meeting and some sort of follow up. I'm also much more likely to connect if they are alum who has let the school know they are interested in helping students.
any other thoughts?
To follow up on this, I just had a first round interview with a "director" in a consulting practice, afterwards he added me on Linkedin. I assume this is a positive sign.
Has anyone ever added the person they interviewed with after an interview (so you as the person getting interviewed initiate the Linkedin connection after the fact)?
I'm pretty liberal with my connecting trigger. I'd add someone who I did an informational interview with over the phone regardless if we plan to meet in person or not.
I have a much lower threshold to connect with people on Linkedin than I do for Facebook.
Huh, I never thought of it that way, but I guess it does make sense, your Linkedin profile will be much more professional than your facebook in that you only put stuff on your Linkedin that you want everyone to see, Facebook is turning in that direction, but there's still more that slips through the cracks.
Is that the case for most people? You have a lower threshold to add someone on Linkedin in that you do on Facebook?
My LinkedIn threshold is far lower than my FB threshold for good measure. #1 there's a lot of personal info on FB, like where I am at an exact time-status updates. Regardless, adding someone on LinkedIn is all about comfort level. I'll add someone following a cold email/ call. In addition, as a tech banker I used LinkedIn to contact prospects directly.
However, adding an interviewer after an interview is not advised. They probably won't accept your invitation until after an offer and acceptance.
Yeah, that's why I'm thinking that the fact that this person who just interviewed me subsequently added me on FB is a good sign, hoping it holds up.
Connecting with people you don't know on LinkedIn (Originally Posted: 01/12/2015)
Hey guys,
I'm really confused on how networking on LinkedIn is supposed to work, maybe I'm doing it wrong. It seems absolutely impossible to network on LinkedIn without premium. I can't see anyone's profile when I'm looking at alumni, can't send InMail, nothing.
Is it okay to connect with people you don't know? If so, how do you guys do it?
Would really love any advice I could be given when networking on LinkedIn.
Thank you.
I used LinkedIn to add alumni who are in IB/PE, then if they accept, I send them a personal message asking for advice and possibly setting up a phone call. I haven't had too much luck, probably because I think many of these people don't use LinkedIn on a regular basis (as in, they check once every few months or so). I know this because they'll approve my request months after I've added them, or they'll add me and won't reply to my message until a long while after. That being said, those who did get back to me were super helpful and very willing to talk about their experience. I've had several phone calls that went far beyond the standard 15 minute calls and built some good relationships.
IMO it's a much better idea to email instead of using LinkedIn, unless you aren't in a rush to get a reply.
Interested in this as well
When I need to connect with a complete stranger (non-alumni whatsoever), I'll send a customized invite in which I clearly introduce myself, state why I want to connect (interested in his/her firm, career path, etc) and mention any common connection if there is any. I've had good success with this strategy.
LinkedIn has been extremely helpful for me in terms of networking. Linkedin usually offers a free one month promotion for their premium service - I would highly recommend this. The following advice is if you don't have premium: When you find someone on linkedin that you want to connect with, figure out where they work. Then use WSO's firm database and find the email convention of the banks you are interested in and shoot them a well crafted email (you can find helpful templates online). Also, something that I have done in the past is to add them - this allows you to send them a short message ( I think 150 characters). This is enough to explain who you are and why you are reaching out to him / her.
Is helpful but not bother other people
Adding contacts on linkedin (Originally Posted: 08/09/2017)
If you grab coffee/chat on the phone with someone, should you proceed to add them on linkedin so that they can remember you more easily?
To make the distinction clearer, I think it's fine if you're adding alumni, but again, it's not the most effective way to get in contact with them. If you're adding random people with no affiliation (school, fraternity, ect.) then obviously that's not very effective at all.
This goes without saying
No it doesn't.
When you guys add people who you have met at a networking event, what do you select when it asks how you know them? I usually just go with "Friend" to avoid all the extra information you have to put in for the other choices.
I think LinkedIn functions somewhat like a business card exchange. I view it as a tool to solidify a relationship that has already been made in person elswhere.
DO NOT add random people unless you have a good reason and send a note along with the invite to explain why you want to connect.
I've had a lot of random analysts and recruiters try to add me and quite honestly it's creepy. You don't want to come off as desperate.
I have been successful connecting with Alumni on Linkedin. A little tip, if you plan on talking to someone a lot get their email address or phone number. It is annoying as hell to to keep track of long conversations on Linkedin
People who add you without knowing who you are probably aren't "strategic connections." I know that I wouldn't accept some random nobody's connection request. I don't work with moochers. I'm not calling you a "nobody" or a "moocher," but those are the people who usually send out completely random, generic connection requests.
IMO, if you have to do that, then you must have a very weak network, and you're probably unemployed. I wouldn't want to connect with that person. I don't think that anyone who has a solid list of contacts would.
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