Clueless - question about Linkedin

[PaperDreamsHoney]

Apologies if this is a daft question but I'm hoping someone can tell me - if I hear of someone who's doing a job I'd absolutely love to do, can I message them on Linkedin to ask what path they took to get into it?

I have no idea if that's actually possible or if it's considered rude/cheeky/inappropriate. Can anyone enlighten me?

You need to link with them first, I think, which they can refuse. I don’t accept link requests from people I don’t know.

In your invitation to connect you can exain why you'd like to talk to them - more likely to accept

I'd say that's one of the core points of LinkedIn actually. To connect, network and expand job chances.

It is not for selling/airing personal life

Yes do it. If they don't reply try someone else.

Absolutely. I find it a bit strange not to link with anyone you don’t know (unless there is a clear reason not to - selling something you don’t want etc) - the whole point of LinkedIn is to expand your network. I’d respond to you if you send me a well thought out message with your request.

The way I did it recently was to contact the named contact in my ‘dream’ job ad. I explained that I wasn’t ready to apply yet but I asked them what experience they’d like to see in a candidate.

Hate LinkedIn.... No idea how it works and you can't have a snoop without anyone knowing. I looked up someone I worked with in 1982 and they definitely saw me snooping as they then added me on Facebook! Cringe

You can change your privacy settings so that someone can’t see you looking.

I saw a job I wasn't sure would accept me without a particular skill. Someone I used to work with was listed as a contact so I asked him if I was in with a chance. He said go for it.
I didn't make it first time, but they liked me enough at interview to keep me in mind when another role came up that I was more qualified for and I got that job.
Without that contact I wouldn't have tried.