I recently reconnected to a large number of former colleagues via LinkedIn. Looking through their "connections", I noticed that some set their privacy settings very high. For example, you need to know their current email address in order to connect with them. Or, they only allow you to see the common connections.

LinkedIn is a great "reconnection" tool more than it is a "connection" tool. It's the people whom you already know that will help you find jobs, get leads, or write you recommendations. Plus, some of us are also people collectors. We just love people and love to help them. We search for lost friends because we don't have the current contact information. (Hence, you requiring me to enter you current email address defeats the purpose of my search). Looking through your connections is not that I want to "steal" anything. I actually look for people whom I can connect with other people. Just today, I found one person in a reconnected colleague's network who might be a great match for one of my clients. To me that is the best part of having large networks of people - helping people succeed.

How do you use LinkedIn? Do you agree with my opinion? Post yours in the comments box.

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