Most people are familiar with social media. We use it keep in touch with friends and family, (humble) brag about our accomplishments, or even outright boast about really cool travels.
There are different types of social media for different things. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc, all have their own niches and uses.
LinkedIn is one of the oldest however, and it is designed for helping you connect with (potential) co-workers, as well as current and former classmates, and others. Instead of talking about your social life, it is designed to be more focused on work.
That doesn’t mean that some people try to “slip things in”, under the guise of business, but photos of your recent party, political posts, etc tend to be frowned upon. Instead, you’re more likely to see 10 Interview Tips, companies that are hiring, and Using Schedules to Stay on Track types of links.
You will also see a lot of people bragging about accomplishments at work, including personal, as a team, and company wide.
So why should someone join, especially if it’s not for “fun”. Well here are some top ten reasons as to why to join.
- Online version of your resume. One of it’s first features was an ability to keep your resume online, in a consistent format. Employers still use it, especially if you have a lot of experience and your resume needs to be trimmed because it’s more than 2 pages.
- Almost considered required. In some industries, they almost expect you to have a LinkedIn profile. Not having one looks poor.
- Apply for Jobs. Now that your resume is on the site, why not apply for a job. LinkedIn added the ability to post, and apply for, jobs right on it’s website. Like any job site, they don’t have everything, but a good profile here can go farther than a good resume.
- People can send you Jobs. If you specify that you are looking for work, companies can message you with opportunities. A good profile stands out and helps, even if your resume is “weak” because you are new in your career.
- Meet and Network with Others. You can join groups, and just meet people. Because you have have people recommend you, and introduce you to others, you get to expand your horizons and learn about how to work with new people and new opportunities, even if they aren’t in your hometown. This is very beneficial if you are looking to move.
- Showcase Your Work. Instead of a boring Job Title and Years worked, you can add images, and define projects you worked on, and who you worked on them with. This leads to a better showcasing of your work.
- Single Sign On. Many professional type services will allow you to sign on to them, with your LinkedIn account.
- Research Companies. Interested in applying for a position, but aren’t sure about it. Research them, and see if that’s what you should be getting into. Just remember, they’re putting their best foot forward, so maybe talk to people who work there.
- Industry News. LinkedIn knows your field, and it helps curate a daily news feed to keep you in the loop.
- It can help rank your name on Google. If you have a common name, or something you want to show, LinkedIn can help. It’s a big enough site, that a good profile will show on Google, and other’s, search results.
An Introduction to LinkedIn and Why You Should Join was originally found on Access 2 Learn
