Should one accept practically any old Linkedin contact request?

[TestMangler]

So all your jobs have magically appeared out of fairy dust have they?

Pretty much Mr Spud, yeah they have.

Reputation was around long before Linked In.

[SimonMac]

If it looks a genuine account I will accept anyone, but my contact list is hidden and past clients are although shown, normally big enough operations that the hiring managers are not contactable at random from my info

[TestMangler]

If it looks a genuine account I will accept anyone, but my contact list is hidden and past clients are although shown, normally big enough operations that the hiring managers are not contactable at random from my info

I already know you'll accept any old invitation :-) You tart !

[The Spartan]

No they are fantastic, I keep a few handy to show clients why they should be outsourcing their business...

Lol I hope you're being sarcastic?

[DS23]

But then whats the point?

i don't see it as a list of contacts that connect but a method of getting business and being aware of the state of business in my niche.

i use linkedin to get prospective clients (who generally aren't after my contacts but a gander at my experience). even if they are not calling me i can still use it to see who (individuals and companies) have been looking at my profile and that compliments data coming from my company website activity, agency calls that i may get and the state of my niche nation. it's a useful guide to the pipeline.

i also use it as a general contact status list - i can track what people are up to after i've left a gig but it's not about connecting my contacts - they can do that through me as a real live person if they wish.

[BlueSharp]

i accept recruitment agents but set my contacts to private so they cant be farmed.

[SimonMac]

I already know you'll accept any old invitation :-) You tart !

Its better to have a connection and not need it, than need it and not have it.

[bobspud]

Lol I hope you're being sarcastic?

Yes My personal favourite of late was the guy that turned up and asked what he was supposed to do with the unix boxes he had just been taken on to run.

Yep thats one way to get a reputation

[minestrone]

I would let agents connect if they could be put in a limited view group where they cannot see my contacts.

[MyUserName]

I accept most requests - currently I have about 5 agents who have requested an add but I have not replied yet. When I want a new gig I will add them and see what they have to say. All of my contacts are private so they are safe.