LinkedIn: Quality over quantity.

I was at a dinner a few night ago chatting to a chap in his 40s who worked for a FTSE Plc and I was very surprised to hear that not only didn’t he have a LinkedIn account but that he was barely aware of it. Over a beer I tried to explain its uses and how he should best utilise it for his further career development.

Coming home it got me thinking that perhaps it was time to put those thoughts down on to paper and get the views of the LinkedIn community.

Oddly he was well aware that social media exists, he and his wife have Facebook profiles and he belongs to a number of members groups on Facebook but on Facebook, your popularity is measured by the sheer number of friends you have. However, on LinkedIn, padding your numbers doesn't increase your "worth." In fact, doing so could make it a less effective catalyst for your career.

My view is that you should carefully consider both quality and quantity when networking through LinkedIn:

Why shouldn't you connect with everyone on LinkedIn?
In the professional business world, quality always matters more than quantity, especially when it comes to business contacts. You could have a database full of "contacts," but how many of those contacts can you rely on to answer your emails instantly, find you a new recruit or help you out when you're in a jam?

So what should LinkedIn users aim for in terms of numbers?
There is no magic number but you should aim to have at least 50 connections. Once a member meets 50 contacts, they'll start to unlock many more networks and doors via their second- and third-degree connections.

What makes someone a worthwhile connection?
Before you connect with someone, ask yourself how you can help that person down the line and how you might benefit from connecting with them. Are they in a similar industry or an industry you're thinking of switching to? Working at a company you admire or one that's a competitor? Or are they an expert in their field or alumni with similar hobbies?

Is it ever OK to quickly add a lot of new contacts?
Yes, it's OK to have an increased number of followers if you are actually helping them. You can do this by sharing insightful comments, commenting on their posts, updating articles you're reading, joining group discussions and answering questions.

As long as you are maintaining a meaningful dialogue, then it is safe to create more connections. Despite what you might see from other contacts, having 1000+ by your name won’t actually change the way LinkedIn works for you: and yes I’m aware that I’m approaching 2000! But with the number of assignments I manage it is inevitable that I’ll have more contacts than most non-recruitment people.

What are signs that you're heading in the wrong direction?
If you find yourself inundated with comments, it might be time to backtrack and go through your connections and seek out who is truly meaningful to you and your professional growth. You can also go to your settings and cut down on the number of updates and shares you receive. Just like any other form of networking, you'll get more out of LinkedIn by the amount of time you spend on it. Create a welcoming interface. Join groups that you're actually going to participate in, and tailor LinkedIn Today to stories you are interested in reading. Connect with people who inspire you. They'll more than likely have great insight to share.

As ever we’re keen to hear from you, let us know how many people are you connected to on LinkedIn and how they have helped you or how you have helped them, blog@chestertongray.com or tweet us at @chestertongray

How to fall in love with your job again.

It's easy to love a new job. It's called the 'honeymoon phase' because everyone's hopes are high, it's a new challenge and it's a stimulating time, but after three to five years, that same exhilaration can often lead to boredom and frustration.

The buzz-kill here is familiarity. Initially in a new job, you're trying to understand your role. Once you've done that, you revel in the fact that you've developed a routine and are "good" at what you do. But then you get bored. Despite our common pursuit of less stressful lives, humans are wired for change, and new challenges are the fuel that makes life worth living.

It’s at this time of year, after the initial excitement of a new year and when the second quarter inertia kicks in for many, and they realise that they’re getting stale. So here are a few thoughts on how to spice up your job love life again.

Re-think your tools. It's easy to get overwhelmed by daily tasks and never-ending "to do' lists. Technology can help tame the beast. The great artists like Michelangelo spent enormous time making sure they had the best brushes, paints and materials for their canvases. The bottom line is that whatever you do for a living, there's probably an effective tool that can help you do it better. Depending on your business, different applications and software can help you accomplish daily chores faster and even make them more fun.

Say "yes" more. Variety can help an old job seem new, but you have to raise your hand when opportunities arise. It can be easier to just do what you've been doing, but if that isn't satisfying you have to challenge yourself to take on new tasks. Not only will you learn things, but you'll work with different people. That in itself may make a big difference.

Brush up on your people skills. After a few years on the job, you have probably mastered the nuts and bolts of the position. Now's the time to work on meeting new people, leading a team speaking in public or pitching your ideas. Formal programs like can help, or you can simply take time to work on these softer skills every day. Your efforts won't be wasted. Learn to deal with people more effectively and you'll become a star at the office.

Write a "did" list. At the end of each day, don't just cross off things that are done on your to-do list. Instead, write a quick "did" list, an informal summary of everything and anything you accomplished, from sharing a smart idea in a meeting to finally cleaning off your desk. If you regularly celebrate your successes both small and large, you won't have to wait for praise or a promotion for a boost.

Look at the big picture. If you feel like a cog in a wheel, focus on seeing how important the wheel is within the company. In the day-to-day battle, it's often tough to see the bigger picture and learn the impact you're making in the world. But perspective matters and each person makes a difference. A great manager should be showing you this, but that doesn't mean you can't try to see it for yourself, too.


Try these tips today, and hopefully you'll start loving -- or at least enjoying -- your work a little more. And if your honeymoon period is well and truly over and this work marriage looks doomed, maybe it's time to break up and start looking for something new. In which case, you know who to call!

As ever we’re keen to hear from you, let us know your thoughts at blog@chestertongray.com or tweet us at @chestertongray