The thought of juggling numerous social network subscriptions at one used to make me anxious. Having to read and respond to two full sets of messages, having to keep two deliciously witty profile write-ups at a time, etc. That was until it was brought to my attention that other people are doing it.
With Facebook fatigue beginning to set in though, I thought it might be wise to play the field a bit. That was the clear and simple train of thought that threw me into a 12-hour bout of trying to make myself look professional before establishing my contact network on the career-based LinkedIn.
From Wikipedia:
LinkedIn is a business-oriented networking site founded in December 2002 and launched in May 2003 (comparable to a social networking site), mainly used for professional networking. As of December 2007, its site traffic was 3.2 million visitors per month, growing at an annual growth rate of about 485%. As of January 2008, it had more than 17 million registered users, spanning 150 industries.
I heard tell of LinkedIn from a couple of well-connected professionals who are predicting a quick rise in its user-base in Canada as it grows in the US. Basically, your profile ends up looking like a résumé, your friends are largely business contacts (colleagues, employers classmates), and the potential is there to collect public recommendations from these people to increase your chances of being found by recruiters who use the site regularly.
Now, I must say I am being reminded of the high learning curve of social networks. Remember trying to figure out what the hell the wall was for on Facebook, or why people keep poking you? With LinkedIn, I’m having a hard time figuring out who I’m allowed to add/talk to (weird, I know). So for now, I sit with one friend, four invitations awaiting reply, and no more hints on how to find people.
I’m going to stick with it and hopefully figure it all out before the masses sign up. In the meantime, join up and add me by clicking the button below.
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i didn’t have uggs or a parka or anything even remotely appropriate for hiking around on tundra. not that i know what would be considered appropriate tundra-stomping attire. i digress. my whole hibernia-is-for-polar-bears chat was about thirty times more entertaining than mr client waxing poetic about…god, i have no idea what he was talking about actually.
also – let me know when you’re free this week. i am so in need of that grey goose ben&sleeves night (sorry for being too hungover on friday). the chemist is embarking on a week-long pot-fest with his frat boy friends and i am so. not. interested. (ha! maybe me and the newf should just trade apartments for the next five days.)
love ya!
awww, the puppies are cute!!
2 dogs? Whoa. Good luck man.
That’s awesome!
And I think I want to steal your dog(s).
Ben, you’re so fucken rad. Clearly you didn’t need my advice about the joys of nepotism. Congrats on making things happen for yourself by being awesome at what you do and selling your brain (not your body). I was so inspired that I actually put my chips down to type this.
Your puppy multiplied!
I’d love to discuss how you made it freelancing one day (other than the sleeping around, of course). I tried for a bit, but decided working was better for the time being (and location wise).
I just want to rub my cheeks in their silky black fur. I love your dogs.