Risks and Benefits Social Networking

¶ … relevance of LinkedIn as far as the further enhancement of professional connections among people is concerned cannot be overstated. What is often understated is how beneficial, if skillfully utilized, this social media leader can be in the facilitation of connections between professionals and potential employers. To maximize the powers of LinkedIn, an individual should not only keep up with his/her network, but also respond appropriately to invitations to connect.

We rarely go through our connections on LinkedIn to identify those who moved from one job to another or brought on board new associates. I have a friend who wrote to a former associate after noticing some change in their job title -- he had been appointed the head of the global investments division of a multinational firm. They soon met over lunch -- with my friend landing a job as a consultant for this former associate.

One could also publish on LinkedIn in an attempt to showcase their skill or expertise in some area. An employer in one's network could just identify how well versed a person is in some area of interest. The approach used is, therefore, key. Part 2 In essence, social media has been instrumental in rising awareness for social as well as diversity issues.

This is particularly the case given that social media provides every individual with access to a computer or smartphone device with a voice to project their ideas and suggestions on a variety of issues relating to diversity. In my opinion, this has led to the creation of a pool of information; effectively making participants more aware of diversity issues and, hence, smarter and perhaps more appreciative of one another. It is, however, important to.