Comments on: LinkedIn Network Connections: How Do You Measure Up?

By: E-Nyce

E-Nyce — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:15:29 +0000

Be warned that there *might* be an exploit (code loophole) in the LinkedIN API allowing parts of the profile to be “dialed” to whatever setting a coder wants.

Recently it was discovered that 2 profiles — “John Waly” & “John Bell” — have 209 and over 500 connections. When you see these profiles they were obviously setup to push (spam for) their website offering a resume blast service.

There’s no way they were able to build that amount of connections w/o having access to the API–otherwise they would be some of LI’s best networkers!

This alleged exploit also opens the question that profiles may have been *created* thru coding. There’s no doubt that many other profiles also have *truly* bogus connection numbers. Not hard to believe, being that we live in the age of social media “marketing”.

By: Cathy Henesey

Cathy Henesey — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:41:30 +0000

Glen
Do you get to Dallas much…you must if Kforce Dallas is still one of the largest markets for the company like it was when I was there?
If so, we would like to see if you would like to speak the DFW Texas Recruiters Network….we meet on the first Wed. of the month. I am President and would love to hear you speak….couldn’t make it to sourcecon this year, but our VP of the group, Gail Houston, did for Intuit.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:24:20 +0000

@BBB – Well what actually happens in my scenario is that 50% of my activity is hunting/recruiting (i.e. identify new candidates) and 50% is “farming” (i.e. monitoring where my larger talent pool is going – 1st/2nd/3rd degree connections). Therefore I am definitely interested in enlarging my broader talent pool (especially with newcomers) although I don’t necessarily need candidates straight away.
I think this point (hunting vs farming) needs a deeper discussion… do you agree?

By: Boolean Black Belt

Boolean Black Belt — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:22:18 +0000

@Christine – My point is that you can strategically connect with people who are connected to your target talent pool, effectively connecting you (indirectly) to your targets at the 2nd and 3rd degree – NOT 1st degree. Would that work for your specific scenario?

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:38:57 +0000

@BBB … well of course I am talking about 1st degree connections. Of course my thoughts are applied to this small (and difficult market !

By: Boolean Black Belt

Boolean Black Belt — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:21:36 +0000

@Christine – I can definitely see your point given your specific situation, location, and industry. Let me ask you this: even if the nosy HR Director could see your entire network (which you can hide most of from view), would they be alarmed if you were connected to most people in his/her company at the 3rd degree? Being connected at the 2nd and 3rd degree level can be completely serendipitous, and not necessarily by design or through any direct effort on your part. By definition, 2nd and 3rd degree connections are indirect connections. Thoughts? Now, if you were connected with many people from their organization at the 1st level, THAT would raise more than an eyebrow.

By: Mark D

Mark D — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:10:20 +0000

I’m still not convinced that having a big broad network of connections that I don’t know is really helpful. Call me old school, but I attempt to keep my LinkedIn network trimmed to people that I know well, personally and professionally. I can much more comfortable making intro’s of those I know than those I do not.

My connections are always open & viewable.

I am #7 at my company.

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:01 +0000

@BBB: in principle you are right, but imagine if you were working in a niche market like me (country small as florida, and only in healthcare) and you were linked let’s say to a nosy HR Director .. wouldn’t that person be looking into your contacts to see if and who you have approached in their company ??? Headhunting is a lot about privacy, otherwise job boards would be more than enough for the recruiting purpose! Thoughts are welcome

By: Boolean Black Belt

Boolean Black Belt — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:06:30 +0000

@ Jer – Spoken like a #3 at their current company.

@ Christine – You raise a relatively common question/concern. My take is that anyone who is any good with searching LinkedIn doesn’t need to snoop through any specific person’s connections – they can simply find who they need regardless of who they are or are not connected to. Thoughts?

@ Amybeth – being #10 out of 71,000+ ain’t bad!

@ Aaron – congrats on being #1 in the UK and also cracking the top 10 globally with a recruiting-related current title! (I could only manage 16th http://bit.ly/ca74Vh)

By: jer L

jer L — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:30 +0000

who cares
u can buy or hack it
1st degree size & measuring your li network is so 2005
lol