Rules for Networking

Ma'am I take these type of articles like a salad bar, there are items that I like but some that I ignore. I like keeping a wide base of people and sometimes that may mean blanket adding of people. I've had some interesting experiences where even the smallest detail that I remembered about someone has been useful.

While I lived in the barracks I always kept my eyes open and my ears listening for what people had and what they needed to try to help people solve their problems and at the same time bring people together. LinkedIn is quite a bit different than a targeted professional site like this one. On LinkedIn the focus is broader and there is less of vetting of the type of people you are dealing with. I feel much more comfortable here on RallyPoint knowing that there is more of a common bond here since although we have different branches of service there is still a shared base of service and sacrifice that we've all shared.

I do use linkedin a lot.  I have joined groups that help me to grow.  I have learned a lot from following conversations in the groups and have participated in many of them in the last 18 months since retiring.  Having experts in your field that can mentor you and that you can go to when you have a question has been great.  The relationships that I have built in within the linkedin community has been vital to my new career since retiring in 2012.  I have learned a lot about the career paths available to me, many that I have never heard of before.

I am not big on linked in and or many of the new social networking sites. I do know that they are very important and they serve a great approach for those who are looking to expand their network. The 20 points I just read are great, thanks for the share, ma'am.