LinkedIn is the professional social media platform with over 800 million users. It is an excellent tool for anyone who wants to showcase who they are professionally (create their brand), learn the latest industry news and trends, research companies, connect with professionals, and of course, tap into a powerful job board.
Here are our top 4 reasons why you should be spending a few minutes each day on LinkedIn:
Build your brand
Upload a professional photo and write a strong summary statement that showcases your skills, knowledge, expertise, and strengths. This is an easy step that will build your online professional brand which can increase your visibility to recruiters and peers within your industry. You can show who you are and your enthusiasm for the work you do and for the work you want to do.
Network
LinkedIn is a super-easy way to expand your professional network. You can look up just about anyone and create new connections all from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. It’s a great way to reconnect with your college and high school alumni, friends, other professionals in your industry, and maybe even find a contact or connection at the company you dream of working for. If your passion is to work for a specific company, LinkedIn will share with you any 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-degree connections or college alumni already working there. You can stay in touch with hundreds of people and learn about new opportunities or partnerships that you might not have been aware of.
Get a Job
LinkedIn has a fantastic job board, it’s easy to search and you can receive job recommendations based on your qualifications and experience. You can apply directly to roles using LinkedIn, get alerts for new jobs, and let recruiters know that you are open to opportunities. Recruiters are also on LinkedIn to recruit new candidates and could find you during their search.
Learn New Things
One of the most sought-after skills in this job market is being a lifelong learner. Being a lifelong learner puts you in a growth mindset, makes you open to feedback, and keeps you curious. And LinkedIn is a brilliant way to learn bite-sized chunks of information during your usual scroll session. You can learn from and follow thought leaders, industry experts, companies, and interesting groups all in your area of focus. LinkedIn Learning is a powerful resource that provides access to over 18,000+ on-demand libraries of instructional business, technology, and creative videos. They are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and can be viewed from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
