LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool; but many of us do not know how to contact others or use its features to connect with colleagues or make new associations to grow our network. Joining LinkedIn is a little like moving to a new city. You may know a few people, but there are thousands of others out there who can help you further your career. The question is how do you meet them?

When venturing into any new territory, you start making associations by contacting the people you know. They introduce you to their friends, who in turn introduce you to the people they know. You would also join groups or organizations involved with your profession, hobbies, or university. It’s the same with LinkedIn.

LinkedIn uses a database built on three degrees of connection. Connections in your 1st degree are those you already know—you have accepted their invitation to connect or they have accepted yours. Connections in your 2nd degree are those you are connected to through your 1st-degree contacts. You meet 3rd-degree contacts through your 2nd-degree associations. For job-seekers the priority is to grow your network to include hiring managers, who will see your profile and consider you for open positions.

In the past LinkedIn allowed you to select which 1st-degree connections you could ask for assistance, but starting in January 2016, LinkedIn decides which of your connections are open to facilitating introductions. This change limits the value of this option, but there is a trick. If you make an advanced search for people you already know, you can scroll down to see a list of their connections. If and when appropriate, these people could become your 2nd-degree connections.

If you want a more direct route for growing your network, you can search for new connections among the profiles in the Alumni Network or LinkedIn Groups you belong to. Remember, you already have something in common with these members that you can use to initiate an association when you connect.

Once you’ve found people you’d like as 2nd-degree connections, you have two options:

1. You can connect directly with a personalized message.

2. You can ask a 1st-degree contact to introduce you (through the bubble on the right). This is not a connection, just an introduction—like at a party.

Whichever way you choose, it is imperative that you send a personalized message that relates what common thread binds you: Do you know the same person? Did you go to the same university or college? Are you part of the same professional organization?

Here are three examples of personalized messages:

1. If you already know the person:

Hello Sarah,

Remember me when we both worked at Pfizer?  I am new to LinkedIn and would like to add you to my network.  How is the family?

2. If you are trying to meet someone else through your first-degree contact:

Hello Sarah,

I see that you are connected to Kim.  I would appreciate it if you could introduce me to Kim.  I see that she and I have similar backgrounds. I’m at a crossroad in my career and would like to hear how Kim moved industries.

3. If you are sending a message directly to a second-degree contact:

Hello Kim,

I’m a friend of Sarah’s. She and I worked together at Pfizer. I see that you and I both (what you have in common). I’m at a crossroad in my career and am interested in hearing how you moved industries.

With so many people with common interests to meet, LinkedIn is a great place to discover! So look around, introduce yourself, and…welcome to the neighborhood!