To all those interested in networking on LinkedIn. I set up an AnalystForum group there. To join go to: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/39535/065E610EFB3D Will I be able to contact fellow group members? (the benefit of joining the group) Yes. Each member of a group decides how fellow group members can contact him/her. Since group members share an affinity and are usually open to interacting with fellow group members, most LinkedIn users allow fellow group members to contact one another without referral. This is a setting that each group member can change from his/her homepage. Can I get spammed by other members of the group? No. LinkedIn Groups is designed specifically for the individual and not as a groupwide communications tool. Therefore, there is no way for an individual user to send broadcast messages to all members of the group. Do I still need to connect to someone if they’re already in my group? I thought that by being in a group, they don’t have to connect to me? Connecting to someone establishes them as a trusted person within your personal network, beyond the trust that was created through your mutual membership in an affinity organization. As part of your personal network, you are able to view and search through their network and vice versa. How do I quit my group? You are free to withdraw from a group at anytime. Just go to the group settings page and click the link to leave the group.
bump.
bump
Do we have to use our real names?
Yes but there is an option in linkedin to hide your name from other people.
Our my contacts kept secret from the people in the group?
Yay for being a grad student that isn’t too concerned with discretion in seeking greener pastures. 
Seriously, how does one network if you don’t use real credentials? As I understood it, LinkedIn is a complement to ‘real life’ networking rather than a free-for-all that is MySpace or Facebook where you have complete strangers on your ‘friends’ list.
“Yes but there is an option in linkedin to hide your name from other people.” Then what the heck is the point of an Analyst Forum networking group if nobody wants to use their real names, show their credentials, or, let other people see their contacts. I don’t get it.
This field is all about networking, there is no use in hiding credentials, real names, contact list, etc… better not join the group instead if you wanna be so conservative. - Dinesh S
bump
dude, take a hint. there’s obviously a desire to remain anonymous among posters to this group. It’s hard to even get someone to say where they work. Give it up already
I don’t think that’s fair no_slogan. Certainly, many people are uncomfortable with divulging professional information but others are apparently not. If you took a look at the actual group, you’d notice there’s a decent participation rate.
No_slogan, many people do not go on this board till it gets to exam time. So bumping this message lets people who don’t login every day see this message. So far 65 people signed up.
DTD2003 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I don’t think that’s fair no_slogan. Certainly, > many people are uncomfortable with divulging > professional information but others are apparently > not. If you took a look at the actual group, you’d > notice there’s a decent participation rate. I suppose that’s fair. I’m a little sensitive because I have jokingly said things here that could be taken out of context by some HR newbie trying to impress his manager with due diligence skills. In context, I don’t think I’ve said anything terribly out of line, but I don’t want someone saying, “ah, he’s in linkedin and analyst forum, so I’ll just go and print out everything he has ever said and see if I can dig up some dirt.”
To have someone match your name to your linkedin profile would take alot of work since many people use handles. Additionally you need to set your profile on linkedin so people outside the group would even see it. You think someone in HR who has to hire X # of people really has a day free to be a detective on 1 candidate? If there’s 20 open positions there might be 400 interviews and 10,000 resumes.
You’ve bumped this four times. Is it really necessary? I mean, judging by the number of bumps, I am not sure how great of an opportunity this really is…but if someone pays me then I might consider joining
I’ve been a member of LinkedIn for two years now; I have found it to be of limited utility. However, I am a bit of an Old-Skool Luddite - especially after a court case here in the UK that decreed contact information details held by you on your employer’s computers was, in fact, your employer’s property.
Everyone has been added
bump
Not this again…