Career Benefits of Networking Face-to-Face and Via LinkedIn

Abstract

An online survey examined the comparative benefits of traditional in-person networking and networking via LinkedIn in a US sample of full-time working adults who use LinkedIn. Participants answered questions about internal and external networking, active and passive LinkedIn use, face-to-face networking, and networking benefits. A structural regression model revealed internal and external networking were positively related to networking benefits, in line with the model of networking. Working adults reported internal networking in person, not via LinkedIn, and external networking via LinkedIn, not in person. Both in-person networking and active and passive LinkedIn use were positively related to networking benefits. Indirect effects emerged between internal networking and networking benefits via in-person networking and between external networking and networking benefits via passive LinkedIn use. Results suggest in-person networking and networking via LinkedIn are both advantageous as they are related to distinct networking benefits and potentially motivated by different types of networking.

Keywords

professional networking LinkedIn internal networking external networking social networking social media career

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