Is it inappropriate to add my previous bosses as contacts on Linkedin?

mrr86: Is it inappropriate to add my previous bosses as contacts on Linkedin?
I just joined Linkedin, and would like to add 3 of my previous bosses as contacts. 2 of them were my bosses during internships, and another was my boss during an actual job. Is it inappropriate to request them to be contacts?

Who am I supposed to add as contacts?

Answers and Views:

Answer by ccSteve
Connect to people you a) know, and b) trust. The rest will follow.

If you trust your former bosses, why wouldn’t you want to connect with them?

Read more on this site:
https://www.linkedinpersonaltrainer.com

steve

Answer by Testers
There are two ways to approach LinkedIn, open or trusted network. Always start with a trusted network, add those who you know personally and would trust recommending to others. Hopefully your ex-bosses already belong to LinkedIn and are trustworthy. Add classmates, co-workers, and others that you would like to connect with.

After a while, you will need to decide if you want to be a open network, and basically connect with anyone who wants to connect with you. Personally, I have only one open networker in my network, but I know and trust him personally.

If you really want to get the most out of LinkedIn, I would attend a LinkedIn webinar. I have attended the Integrated Alliances classes in person, and as a student (I have no financial relationship with them other than giving them my money) I highly recommend at least one class.

Answer by Colleen St. Claire
I think it is appropriate to add the former bosses as contacts. I think the aim of Linkedin is to develop networks that will help you in your career. You will be a valuable contact for your former bosses as well, as long as you did a good job there. Perhaps friends of theirs might be looking for someone with your degree and skills who is a proven hard worker. Having you in their contacts will make them look good to their own contacts if they can recommend you. Everyone wins!

Other than former bosses, you can also add former coworkers, fellow students and teachers from your school and friends in similar industries to yours. I think the biggest rule is to only add people who you know personally. Once you are working in your career, you can add people you meet with whom you exchange business cards.