I see it frequently on LinkedIn. People boast of having 20 or 30 thousand connections on LinkedIn. Sounds great, but how much value is this for you in your job search? Simply because you connect with someone on LinkedIn does not make them a networking connection for referrals and other information. Consider if you are attending a sporting event or a movie and as you enter the building you and a stranger are entering the facility. You both exchange a nod or “hello”. Have you now made a networking connection? You might think not. This is no different than connecting with a stranger on LinkedIn. You might be in the same group or have some other common interest, but you don’t know each other. If this person saw that you worked at a company they have interest in, would you be a good referral for this person? Probably not. Why? Because you don’t know them. I am a huge believer in meeting someone in person, but with the internet you may be connecting with people across the country. If you can’t meet with them in person, then begin a conversation and share some background and experience. Yes, this takes time and effort, but if this person could recommend you to a potential hiring manager would it be worth the time and effort? To have a good networking connection requires you spend time getting to know each other, by spending time describing and explaining the depth of your skills, talents, expertise and background. How do you start this process? You can join several groups on LinkedIn where your connection is also a member, and also join in discussions. Discussions for better or worse often reveal much about the personality and mindset of people who make comments in these discussions. If people continually make negative comments in their posts then you probably are not going to be very excited about endorsing them or referring them to another person or hiring manager. Conversely, if they are offering positive and valuable hints and ideas, then this also reveals part of their character. Yes, it takes time to exchange emails learning more about this person. But the more they know about your great ability, they become a greater sales person on your behalf. Therefore, you want them to know all about you and your great accomplishments and expertise. Just don’t overload them. At the same time you can connect with someone on LinkedIn who resides in your city, but seek them out to connect in person. This is your grand opportunity to present yourself, just as if you were in an interview, to explain your history, background and what makes you an ideal candidate. Yes, a lot of time and effort. But what sells you better, a business friend who can make a solid referral to a hiring manager on your behalf or your resume? The choice isn’t even close. Lastly, one the best things I could do to make you want to help me is for me to do something for you first, right? Then the key when you meet is to determine how you can help your connection, AND THEN the conversation will turn to how they can help you. The beauty of this approach is that your networking connection will turn their FULL attention to help you then.