What does 1st 2nd mean on LinkedIn? Didn’t you also wonder the same when glancing through your network connections, seeing 1st or 2nd written beside the name of the connection. Anyways, if you ever did ponder over the same but still did not find any satisfactory answers till now, do not worry! In this post, I am here to make you aware of the same. I will be sharing quite a lot of interesting facts and deep knowledge on this matter to make it clear once and for all. So, do join me in this educational journey which I promise, will be full of fun and adventure too! Now, on that note, without wasting any more moment, let’s start with the topic right away!
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What does 1st 2nd Mean on LinkedIn?
If you have recently switched from an unofficial social media platform say Meta or Instagram to a professional networking site such as LinkedIn, you may be confused and curious by prefixes like 1st, 2nd, 3rd written near the name of your connection. Certainly LinkedIn is not a rat race to win, but then, what does 1st 2nd mean on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is built to maximize the expansion of a person’s network. Unlike Facebook or Snapchat, you do not add friends. You are building connections. If you start on LinkedIn with zero connections, you can invite people on or off LinkedIn to connect with you. When they accept your invitation, they become your connections, and eventually all your connections become your own network of peers.
Building connections is critical because the more people you know and interact with, the more doors open for you. As the saying goes, “Your network is your fortune,” you need to continue to grow your network by accepting invitations from profiles that offer prospects for growth. On LinkedIn, your connections are divided into five different types that affect the degree of your accessibility to them and vice versa.
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The Connections (Degrees) –>
1st Degree
LinkedIn essentially works like any other social media. You send a connection request, the person accepts and becomes part of your network, or vice versa. You can send them messages, receive messages, and respond to and comment on their posts.
The profiles that have sent you a direct connection invitation or received one from you are listed as your 1st degree connection. Essentially, 1st degree connections are those who have willingly connected with you.
2nd Degree
The profiles that are connected to your first degree connection are listed as second degree connections. Therefore, the second degree connections are mutual for you.
You can contact them via InMail and an introduction, but most likely you will not be able to send them a direct message. Their profiles will show up in the search results and on the platform with a 2nd-degree icon.
3rd Degree
Previously, we discussed that people connected to your 1st-degree connections are listed as 2nd-degree connections. Likewise, 3rd-degree connections are the profiles connected to your 2nd-degree connections.
You can send them an inmail or an introduction, but you cannot chat with them via direct message unless they accept your message request or connect with you.
Members in your LinkedIn groups.
People who are in the same groups as you are also part of your network. You’ll see a group icon next to their name on their profile and in search results. You can connect with them by sending them a direct message on LinkedIn or using the group discussion.
Profiles outside the network
LinkedIn members who do not fit into any of the above categories fall into the category of “Out of Network.” These profiles are not directly or mutually connected to you. You can send them InMails.
Here’s a quality read on the “Talks About Section” on LinkedIn!! Do check it out!! –>
What does 1st 2nd Mean on LinkedIn?
How to send an InMail?
InMail is a great inherent feature of LinkedIn that allows you to send a limited number of LinkedIn emails to people inside and outside your network. If you sign up for LinkedIn Premium, you can send and receive an unlimited number of InMails. InMails are an important resource because they help you reach new people and build potential relationships. So, here how you can send an InMail:
- Navigate to your connections profile.
- Thereafter, click on the “More” button.
- Now, select “Message” and choose the person’s name from the dropdown menu.
- Thereafter, type in your message.
- Finally, when you are done writing, click “Send”.
- Hurray! You have successfully sent your first InMail.
- Now, enjoy 🙂
What should be there in your InMail — Some tips —>
If you are relatively new to LinkedIn and do not know exactly what to write in an InMail, let me discuss some points below. InMail is a “credible, private, and customizable messaging tool” from LinkedIn that opens doors for you to connect with your first, second, and third contacts, as well as contacts outside the network.
So, if you are not sure what to write in an InMail, here are some tips in order to get a desired response:
- Be direct in your InMail message
- LinkedIn recommends that senders take a direct approach in their messages and provide clarity so that the purpose of the message is easy for the recipient to see at first glance.
- Don’t ask a lot of questions
- From a job seeker’s perspective, do not ask for an interview in the very first message.
- Instead, write something like “I would like to interview” and enquire if they are open to an interview.
- Arouse interest with your introduction
- You do not have to sound particularly original.
- Just make sure you do not overdo it with professionalism.
- Keep it formal, but keep the tone conversational.
- Talk about them
- Make sure you only briefly mention what you can do for the client, and do not blindly list all your qualifications and so on.
- Show them what value you have to them.
View LinkedIn Profile without owning an account!! –>
WRAPPING UP!! –>
I am sure, by now you are well aware of what does 1st 2nd Mean on LinkedIn? You will also very much agree that LinkedIn is a very good resource to advance your career and discover a world of opportunities. So, remember to make the most of it by making promising contacts and reaching out to potential prospects. Do not hesitate to send a message, it could be the breakthrough you need. So, what are you waiting for? Go and grab your opportunity out there! On that note, until the next time, see ya!! Good bye!!