" I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn"

[Martinjmpr]

Does anyone else get these? I just got one purportedly from my brother (who works for IBM in Boulder.)

I assume that the Linked In system is set up so that when you create a profile, it asks you to put in contact names and then it automatically spams them with the "XXXX Has requested to add you to their Linked In Professional Network."

I've gotten a few before and I generally delete them.

What irks me about the whole process is that generally speaking, it comes from someone I haven't exchanged emails with in quite a while and then out of the blue, I get a message that appears to be spam that asks me to confirm whether I know this or that person.

Seems to me that if I was in the process of trying to connect with people for professional reasons, before I let a spam-bot send out messages on my behalf, I'd first send them an actual, personal email that said something to the effect of "Hey, Martin, just wanted to let you know that you may get a linked in request from me in a few days. I'm trying to create a professional network because [purpose of professional network here - your profession, job seeking, etc] and I'd appreciate it if you'd accept the link. Thanks!"

Or even better yet - crazy thought, I know - what if one of those people (like my brother, with whom I talk regularly) just called me on the phone and said "hey, when you get this request, please accept it, it will help me build a network so I can look for a better job."

As I said, it bothers me a little bit that out of the blue I'm getting asked to confirm that I know X or Y person so that the person can "add me to their professional network."

Why would you want to add me to your "professional network" when we're not even in the same profession? Is this some kind of job seeking thing that people who are looking for professional jobs are doing? Kind of like facebook for people who wear ties?

[SideShow Bob]

I just delete them with out opening the request.

[BlasterBob]

Just more crap to bug us with. I always delete them too.

[mattiooo]

LinkedIn is a social network that focuses on your professional life and leaves out the personal life (for the most part).

It's a network designed to help people from all professions network with each other. It's not focused on a specific business. It is used for several reasons by people other than simple networking. It's used by employers and job seekers to connect to fill positions. It's used by sales people looking to connect with people in a specific profession and geo-graphic area. It also has groups just like Facebook, but they tend to be focused on more business related topics. Some of the groups I belong to are for the printing and imaging trade, some are just for Denver professionals, etc.

I use it regularly, whether it's looking for advice on a product in my industry, to research a vendor for a specific project, or to network with people.

The email you're talking about is LinkedIn's equivalent of a friend request on Facebook.

[Wulf202]

It's not for every industry. It's geared for white collar jobs.

[Martinjmpr]

The email you're talking about is LinkedIn's equivalent of a friend request on Facebook.

It's not for every industry. It's geared for white collar jobs.

So I was right: It's facebook for people who wear ties to work.

[00tec]

When you open an account, it asks if you would like to import your contact list from whatever your email provider is. It then auto invites all your contacts.
I do not use that option

[Great-Kazoo]

It's not for every industry. It's geared for white collar jobs.

Isn't that kind of racist?

[mattiooo]

So I was right: It's facebook for people who wear ties to work.

I'd say that's not true.

There are currently 485 jobs listed on LinkedIn (across the country) for a Pipefitter. (just the first thing that popped into my head to search for).

4,197 Welder positions (64 in the Greater Denver area)

[00tec]

Dupe