Top 3 Ways to Build Connections on LinkedIn

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“You've got to tell Baruch students to stop making LinkedIn requests when they have no other relation other than a shared alma mater.”—recent message sent to the GCMC from a Baruch alum.

How many times have you heard that the best way to find the untapped job market is through effective networking? Have you wanted to go to networking events, but been so busy with school and your job that time hasn’t yet permitted it? Well, one of the best ways to get started with building your network, at the convenience of your schedule, is by using connections you build through having a profile on LinkedIn. Check out these tips to help you get started!

I have a profile, but I’m not really sure how to maximize the way I am using it.

After building your profile, which is essentially a “resume on steroids,” you need to start making connections. Who are these people? They are your friends and your classmates. They are people you are working with in your internship or job. They are current professional contacts and people from past work experiences. They are your professors and alumni from Baruch. You have a network – expand it!

I know I am supposed to join LinkedIn Groups, but how do I decide on which ones make sense?

Start with these LinkedIn Groups: Graduate Career Management Center Zicklin Network, Baruch College - Zicklin School of Business, and Baruch Alumni Group. Then join the alumni groups from your undergraduate institution. From there, search groups based on your degree concentration. Accounting focused students may wish to join the AICPA group. Finance students should check out the group Finance Industry Professionals Worldwide. Marketing students will want to check out the Brand Management and Communications group. With so many LinkedIn Groups to choose from, the world is your oyster.

I feel funny asking to connect to anyone who isn’t a friend. How do I do this?

Recently, the GCMC heard the following from a Baruch alumnus who works in a well-respected social media technology company about the pitfalls of using LinkedIn requests incorrectly:

“You've got to tell Baruch students to stop making LinkedIn requests when they have no other relation other than a shared alma mater. I get at least one a week from someone random in the MBA program who simply sends the boilerplate request form. If there's a purpose [for their request], then great. And if that's the case, they have to personalize the message; otherwise, it goes in the trash and they get marked as spam. If they're doing this to alums, they're probably doing it to execs in big companies too, which makes them and Baruch look [amateurish].”

If there is one thing and one thing alone that you should do when outreaching to connect, it is to CUSTOMIZE your requests. It doesn’t matter if you are outreaching to your best friend, your professor, a former supervisor or an alum you found through a LinkedIn group; you must create a PERSONAL message when requesting a connection. What makes this so important? When connecting to people, you want to explain your reasons for the request. Perhaps it is that they work in a company about which you want to learn more. Maybe you want to gain insight into their career path. Or, it might be that you heard them speak at an event on campus and their path was an inspiration. Whatever the reason, you must indicate it from the beginning along with what value you bring to the discussion, what you value about them, how the conversation might be mutually beneficial and why you want to stay in touch. For example:

Rex,
I attended ZGAS’ panel on Corporate Accounting. Your perspective was terrific. I am looking to learn more about public vs. private accounting, and wanted to ask for a few minutes of your time to get additional insights on some questions I had. Would you have time for a coffee or call?
Sidharth

Giving strong reasons to convince a person to accept your request will increase your chances that it will happen quickly so that you can then launch into a targeted in-depth career related discussion! And of course, should they accept, make sure to send a follow up message with appreciation for being able to grow professionally from their guidance.

Good luck using LinkedIn and happy connecting!

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