Disclaimer: To each his own
Since the dawn of gmail in my life, I have come a long way in learning how the world is trying to connect using the internet. People who have been using internet pre-gmail will consider me backward. And I think so too. But I was not exposed to computers and related technologies growing up much, and I have no particular regrets about that. In truth, life was simpler, without the compulsion to be involved in many unnecessary things.
The thing is with deeper penetration of social media in our daily lives, I wonder why people are apprehensive about using it. Today over lunch, a girl said she doesnt want to be on linkedin because your profile shows up on google search and she did not want anyone to know where she worked or what she did.
Of course security/privacy concern wise I understand. And to each his own. Really.
But with my increasing belief in solving problems collaboratively, rather than being stuck on some issue all by yourself, not knowing what to do next, I think networks are cool. If privacy is not your issue.
Also what I found amusing was the thought that what if my manager/employer found out that I was networking!
Another amusing thing I have heard is if I move on to a new job my ex-colleagues will find out what my new position is. I mean isn't that the purpose, ideally ? To make sure your advancements are visible, so that you can be reached out for any kind of guidance. May be this is too much idealistic talk.
Even stranger is when people are willing to contact a consultant/contractor during their job hunts, but are not so willing to contact company representatives like HR directly on linkedin. Does it stem out of diverting the system where we are used to do things through agents and contractors? I think direct contact with any HR makes the process more visible and transparent.
What makes me think about this even more is I dont think any of the founders thought about these things while trying to imagine a network of connected people, through their skills, work experience and education.
I would like to believe that most people are not aware, how one can utilize all this networ(th)k effect to come across as a capable, able prospect for any kind of guidance required in any field.
Having said all this, 2 years back I was a person who did not understand the concept of networking during school job fairs. I struggled to put myself across effectively (it was a cultural thing). Eventually I did learn and I feel the importance of professional networks even more. And hence I champion them.
~nightflier
P.S. Feel compelled to add as an afterthought, that everyone needs to find the comfort zone in such ecosystem. Like the first line of the post.
