Who's viewing your LinkedIn profile?
Do you ever take a few minutes to see who's checking you out on LinkedIn? And once you do glean this information, what do you do with it?
I've certainly done this before but don't do it on a regular basis by any means, but I did just look a few minutes ago and tried to dissect each one, and that prompted me to post this blog.
Yes, it was an exercise in futility because of the eight listed, I was only able to narrow down two. But what's interesting about putting ourselves out there for all to see, particularly on a professional network like LinkedIn is we really don't know what opportunities could be right around the corner, and that is one of the best reasons for being on LinkedIn. That's the lesson, now on to the good part.
So who was checking me out? Here they are with my thoughts on "why."
Professor
at Kenan-Flagler Business School
Reason: I was a guest speaker last Friday.
The instructor probably wanted to know more about me.
Someone from 1000heads
Reason: Your guess is as good as mine.
Someone
in the Marketing and Advertising industry
Reason: I'm in this industry as well.
Someone
in the Leadership function at MedThink Communications
Reason: I have no idea.
Someone
in the Client Services function in the Public Relations and
Communications industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Reason: They are a co-worker or
competitor.
Someone
at Wake County Democratic Party
Reason: Hmmmm, really not sure
about this one, but I did hear that one of my former co-workers recently
got a new job with...oops, can't be him he's a die-hard Republican.
Still miffed.
Someone
at Burt's Bees
Reason: Maybe they heard about my bee sting a few
weeks ago? Just kidding. Really, don't know.
Manager
at The Walt Disney Company
Reason: My kids have called
and begged them to contact me with a special invite and super discount.
Okay,
I'm being a bit funny here, but any of these could translate to
opportunites. So find out who's been watching you. Delve a bit deeper
and look for opportunities to connect. Oh, and if you find anything
bizarre or that tickles your funny bone, come back and tell me about
it.
Comments
<ul>
<li>Someone in the Leadership function in the Staffing and Recruiting industry from Greater Los Angeles Area</li>
<li>Producer at CNN</li>
<li>Someone in the Executive Leadership function in the Online Media industry from San Francisco Bay Area</li>
<li>Someone in the Marketing and Advertising industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area</li>
<li>Someone in the Government Relations industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area</li>
</ul>
I'm famous in California.
Ben: You're famous! Looks like California might be calling your name!!!!
- Someone in the Human Resources function in the Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing industry from Greater Boston Area
- Wayne Sutton, Someone from TriOut
- Someone at McClatchy Interactive
- Someone in the Marketing function in the Marketing and Advertising industry from Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area
- Someone in the Media function in the Marketing and Advertising industry from United Kingdom
Alrighty Phil. United Kingdom, here you come!
- Someone in the Entrepreneur function in the Marketing and Advertising industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
- Someone at MindWorks Multimedia, Inc.
- Someone at Aquent
- Someone in the Sales function in the Marketing and Advertising industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
- Someone in the Entrepreneur function in the Graphic Design industry from Norfolk, Virginia Area
Director at NC State University
Maybe my boss. Maybe another person in fundraising on campus. Search returned 1,176 results.
Director at The Caldwell Fellows - NC State University
Probably someone I invited to my LinkedIn, also another coworker.
Someone at North Carolina State University
Hmm. I work here so we have 8,000 employees and almost a half million students so it could be anyone!
Account Executive at Capstrat
I don't know. Probably someone I invited to my network on LinkedIn recently that is also in Triangle AMA. I'm also on the Communications committee for Triangle AMA.
Someone in the Leadership function in the Market Research industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
I honestly have no clue. Maybe someone wants to hire me. :)
This is fun!
Program Manager at Lenovo - I've worked there
Someone in the Business Administration function in the Marketing and Advertising industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area - Hey, we've done marketing!
Doug McSorley, Someone from CyberXtrain - we share some connections
Brian McDonald, Marketing Director from Triangle American Marketing Association - Thanks for stopping by Brian!
Someone in the Operations function in the Computer Software industry from Bengaluru Area, India - India's looking to outsource I guess.
Brian, Erika and Andretti, thanks for posting. This is totally entertaining. You all are in high demand. See, didn't even know how popular you were. You can thank me later. :-)
Here you go:
* Someone in the Leadership function in the Computer Software industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
<<Because they're getting ready to offer me a multi-million dollar contract? *sigh* Probably not.>>
* Someone in the Retail function in the Retail industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
<<Because I helped him set up his LinkedIn profile.>>
* Engineer at Aeroglide Corporation
<<Because I have an incredible LinkedIn profile. She was trying to copy it. *sigh* No idea why.>>
* Project Manager at The Godfrey Group
<<He thinks my updates rock. He wanted to see what a rock star's profile looks like. *sigh* Again, no idea why.>>
* Manager at Beckman Coulter Genomics (formerly Cogenics)
<<Because he's a buddy, and he's trying to steal my job. Just kidding. But he is a friend. Guess he's comparing notes>>
Jeff, your comments had me in stitches. I'll confirm. You MUST be a rock star!
Someone in the Marketing and Advertising industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
- One of you clowns
Platform Specialist at Microsoft
- Bill Gates likes the cut of my jib
Someone in the Business Administration function in the Internet industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
- Another one of you clowns
Engineer at Aeroglide Corporation
- Thought that said "AstroGlide" and kinda got excited
Someone at Bandwidth.com
- Not sure
Hey Dan: I'm sure that Bill Gates finds you top notch! And did you just call us clowns, TWICE?
- Someone at University of Maryland
Just shared a link from their philanthropy department in our newsletter last week, maybe that's it?
- Someone in the Sales function at FactSet Research Systems
NYC company, buddy works there, must have been bored at lunch
- SolMusic Management, Someone from MAGNUS ROSEN (HammerFall) Bass Player
Apparently they found the Youtube clip of me playing bass on Rock Band: The Swedish Death Metal Tribute
- Someone in the Executive Leadership function in the Information Services industry from Washington D.C. Metro Area
This definitely comes from a client
- Someone in the Art & Design function in the Marketing and Advertising industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Would be interesting to find out who this was, maybe they're reading this blog now. Hi!
So I think what you've illustrated Tom, is that people absolutely want to know more about you once they come in contact. And why didn't you provide a link to that YouTube video?
OK, I'll play...
* Someone in the Business Administration function in the Information Technology and Services industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Well, this basically narrows it down to about half the people I know in the area. So fess up. Who was it?
* Someone at 3Com
?? To my knowledge, I don't know anybody at 3Com. No clue.
* Management Assistant at Enterprise Rent-A-Car
I haven't rented a car in years, and last time I did it wasn't from Enterprise (sorry, y'all). Still no clue.
* Someone in the Operations function in the Staffing and Recruiting industry from Greater New York City Area
Probably that headhunter who sent me an email offering to recruit employees for me.
* Account Executive at Gomez, Inc.
I'm guessing a follow up to a virtual trade show I attended last week.
* Someone in the Graphic Design industry from Greater New York City Area
Melinda, was that you? :)
First let me say you're welcome to Brian Henderson!
Someone in the Executive Leadership function in the Information Technology and Services industry from San Francisco Bay Area
I get a lot of these but have no idea why? Maybe it was from my blog post link.
Developer at NC Dept. of Commerce
They are a customer of Zencos so that may be why.
Someone in the Entrepreneur function in the Information Services industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Not sure who this could be.
Joanna Wolfe, CISA, CGEIT, Someone from jw's job blog
Met Joanna last night at SMDay Cary
Diane: I hope that was Melinda checking you out. Enterprise Rent-a-Car was a bit off the wall, eh? Brian--guess you made an impression on Joanna. Thanks for playing!
Why not join in this fun:
Someone at GlaxoSmithKline
***Because I'm a killer Acct Director and PM for a different Biotech in the neighborhood and they want me for themselves, or so the dream goes. ***
Someone in the Sales function in the Financial Services industry from Greater New York City Area
***Maybe an old client from my Manhattan days***
Someone in the Leadership function at DPCI
***I honestly have no idea***
Someone at Audible, Inc.
***Again I have no idea. Maybe an old VO talent that I use to work with back in my video game days***
Business Manager at Conde Nast
***I recently got married and they want to know why I don't want their magazines anymore***
Jeff Tippett, Strategist from Calvert Holdings, Inc.
***Because he's stalking my contact list and realized I keep it hidden. Neh, he's just a lovely friend!***
Terra, that was great!! Keep living that GSK dream. LOL. And I think that maybe Jeff IS stalking your contact list. One more thing...you may be on to something with Conde Nast.
It IS fun to see who's zooming who!
* Someone in the Professional Training & Coaching industry from Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
* Someone in the Leadership function in the Professional Training & Coaching industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
* Someone in the Entrepreneur function in the Management Consulting industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
* Someone in the Executive Leadership function in the Management Consulting industry from Norfolk, Virginia Area
I know lots of folks in MSP and RDU in the same general field as me, so it is hard to narrow this down. Good to know they are checking me out - I am open to partnering on projects! Not aware of anyone I know in Norfolk - hello!
* Someone in the Web Development function in the Internet industry from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Likely a fine fellow I met last night at the SEO Meetup
Wow, just yesterday I noticed this link on LinkedIn's sidebar.
Something that online social media graphs offer that you can't get in real life: knowing who's there, noticing you're there. Pretty neat.
Thanks for the post!
If someone from Burts Bees was checking out my profile, i would be glad =)
Leave a Comment