by Krystle Hernandez

Created on: October 08, 2007

I don't know how many times I've heard the old adage, "It's not what you know; it's who you know." In the age of social networking, it is certainly difficult to provide an argument against this simple phrase. Websites like MySpace, Friendster, and Facebook have spawned a cultural phenomenon.

While these websites are fantastic virtual "spaces" to show off your personality with customizable profiles, the ability to upload pictures and videos, and ever-growing Friends' lists, the creators of LinkedIn.com recognized the need for a professional networking site. In other words, MySpace may be fun, but LinkedIn is strictly business!

LinkedIn allows users to maintain a list of their professional contacts. Rather than establish these individuals as "Friends," the website categorizes them as "Connections." Users can learn more about their connections by reading their profiles which list professionally-related details such as current and former places of employment. Some individuals even go as far as uploading a copy of their most recent resume, in the event that one of their connections is looking for a new employee.

In addition, just like in real life, you can also use your connections to your business advantage. You can scroll through their list of connections and ultimately request an introduction to an elusive third or fourth degree connection through your mutual acquaintance.

Another great feature offered by LinkedIn.com is called LinkedIn Answers. In this forum, members can pose business-related questions for the community to answer, free of charge. With so many individuals from such diverse business backgrounds, any member is guaranteed to get a comprehensive answer to any of their business questions.

With over fourteen million users, it is easy to see exactly how successful LinkedIn's business-oriented networking has become. Countless users have been able to use the website to locate former co-workers and find new business opportunities they may have never known about had it not been for those individuals included in their contact network.

Not to mention the fact that scores of employers have found this website to be a priceless tool when it comes to filling open positions in their businesses. With LinkedIn's easy to use search, these individuals have the ability to scroll through thousands of potential candidates who are either directly on their contacts list or are linked to one of their already known "connections."

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