by Clare Reynolds, Marketing Executive, Sigmar Recruitment
LinkedIn has been around since 2002 and you’d think 18 years is enough time to master something but essentially people are still using LinkedIn wrong or avoid using it because they don’t know how.
This article will give you a guide to LinkedIn and how it can be used effectively to benefit your career.
Who Should Use LinkedIn?
Some people understand LinkedIn to be an online CV and it should only be used by jobseekers. This isn’t the case. There is a certain audience for LinkedIn and it does include jobseekers but that’s not all. This is who should use LinkedIn:
- Anyone in a job
- Anyone looking for a job
- Students
- Freelancers
- Recruiters
- Someone who has something to contribute about their industry
- Someone with an interest in connecting with professionals
If you’re any of the above, LinkedIn could be the perfect social media platform for you. However, you will need to know how to use it effectively, depending on your reason for using it.
Benefits of LinkedIn if you are Employed:
Networking
LinkedIn has over 500 million users from all over the globe in different industries. This gives you the opportunity to connect with so many different people and broaden your professional connections. This could give you new opportunities for you in your current role.
Sharing Ideas & Learning New Things
In our current day to day tasks we come across many obstacles. LinkedIn can be a great opportunity to share these difficulties and how you overcame them. Chances are if you found it difficult, so did another person. Sharing your experiences on LinkedIn can help other professionals like yourself with issues and vice versa. LinkedIn gives professionals the opportunity to learn and share new things.
Motivation
Motivated was the most overused word on LinkedIn in 2014 and 2015 and was still in the top 10 of most used words in 2019. Motivation can be infectious on LinkedIn. Everyday new posts on new learnings and achievements are illustrated. If you’re looking to boost your creativity or just looking for some inspiration, then LinkedIn’s newsfeed is a great place to start.
Benefits of LinkedIn if you are Job Seeking:
Showcasing Your Talent and Experience
Your profile is essentially an online CV and it can highlight all your relevant experience and skills to potential employers. A lot of job applications and job boards, require a LinkedIn page to submit your details. In order for you highlight your professional resume, it is essential for you to have a LinkedIn account.
Reach Out to Employers/Hiring Mangers/Recruiters
LinkedIn gives jobs seekers the opportunity to approach hiring managers about available positions. If you’re thinking of applying for a job or you already have applied, why not connect with the hiring manager and introduce yourself? It could be the thing that makes you stand out and be offered a job.
Keeping Active During Your Job Search
LinkedIn has over 3 million active job listings on the platform. Even if you don’t have any interviews lined up, you can stay active by networking on LinkedIn and searching for available jobs. LinkedIn is a great way to stay active in your job hunt.
Benefits of LinkedIn if you are a Student:
Learn from Professionals in your Industry
Following and connecting with professionals who work in the field you are studying in is a great way to learn more about what you are studying and what to expect when you receive your qualification.
Build a Network
Before you even start your professional career you could already have a bank of professional people in your network, all from LinkedIn.
Benefits of LinkedIn if you work Freelance:
Showcase your Work
You can have an entire online portfolio on your LinkedIn profile that can showcase all your experience. You can share this among your connections who can also do the same. It’s a great way to advertise your expertise.
