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Thursday, February 17, 2011

LinkedIn activity and correlated events

I have been a linkedIn observer for some time and I noted a few funny aspects which I think can be correlated. Note that these are aspects that need further corroboration with real data and are at the moment  speculative... so you may choose to agree, disagree, agree to disagree or contemplate with me
  • High activity (above the median activity level for the individual) on linkedIn is indicative of bad times (for the individual and possibly by extrapolation, in some cases, for the company that the individual works for)
  • Low activity (below the median activity level for the individual) on linkedIn implies its BAU (business as usual) 
  • Not responding to an invite from a person indicates possible ego issues/dislike of the person providing the invite/or good times for the invitee (good enough to ignore an invite from someone you know)
  • Responding immediately to an invite from a person - you like this person or being associated with that person for personal or professional reasons
  • Number of contacts on the network bear negative correlation with the percentage of useful contacts (those that can aid in a career move or help in uncovering an opportunity)
  • Very large number of contacts (500+) indicate that this individual is someone that a lot of people would like to associate themselves with. The association can be professional (this person could help out in a business opportunity at some point by virtue of his/her position), personal (this is a person whose company you like and/or is someone you'd like to emulate) or both
  • Very few contacts - Either too lazy or too egoistic to build a network (who needs others anyways)
  • Company name and title displayed prominently - these individuals are career minded and/or choose to derive their identity from their occupation
  • Education and credentials displayed prominently - these individuals have high affinity for their almamater and in some, but not all, cases feel a sense of entitlement based on their schooling
  • Not much information displayed - These individuals value privacy. Do not underestimate their career mindedness or need to succeed.
  • Having their entire resume documented on linkedIn - These individuals are making a poor choice and leave nothing to imagination (in the career sense). They are doing themselves a disservice and they are well advised to recognize that
  • Having too many recommendations - unnecessary, undermines potential. Recommendations probably obtained under duress, coercion or quid pro quo. This individual potentially needs affirmation from others. Cherry pick - leave only the ones that best describe you as you see fit
  • Having a few good recommendations - This individual needs a few to move to a new opportunity - no harm with that
  • Having no recommendations - This individual is very confident in his/her abilities and doesn't seek affirmation from anyone. Probably the person who you would want to hire if you feel the need to after validation in an interview. It could also imply overconfidence and the boundary between confidence and overconfidence is fuzzy at best
  • An individual's group affiliations - window into the individual's interests and aspirations
There may be more and you probably can add to this. Its all fun and games anyways