In the job seeker world, you hear a lot about “paying it forward,” a great form of networking that seems to happen organically once people start interacting with others in the same boat, or with those trying to help them get off that boat. As Joey (@PushJobs) from Push Consultant Group says: Knowledge is to be shared!
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LinkedIn provides an easy way to spread some of that karmic Kool-Aid and, by proxy, that career-helpful knowledge: LinkedIn Introductions.
Sometimes something as simple as introducing one of your connections to another one of your connections can move that person one step closer to a job. Great, right?
But it’s one thing when you’re the one initiating the introduction because you think Person A and Person B need to get connected. Do the rules change if you’re the one being asked to do the introducing?
When you get that request, what makes you respond positively? What turns you off? Do you feel protective over your connections, or feel that people can take care of themselves?
Resources:
Author Becky Benishek 
I’m very active on LinkedIn but have never been asked to do an introduction (maybe I should be insulted?) Usually when I’m approached by job seekers they want me to review their resume and tell them how to get a job. My response always includes a recommendation to join lots and lots of LinkedIn groups. It is the very best way to network with potential hiring managers and recruiters because you are starting on common ground — a shared interest.
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Very good advice, Susan. LinkedIn is built to help job seekers, but you still have to take matters into your own hands. 50 groups plus an unlimited amount of subgroups can yield a LOT of connections.
Maybe once people join those groups, they don’t need to ask you for an introduction anymore. 😛
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