LinkedIn is simply a business social networking website for professionals. It has over 570+ million members, with more than 260 million monthly active users. A LinkedIn profile allows you to create a online presence which can help you with new career opportunities and opens you up to a bigger professional network. I use the App everyday!
“I've started using LinkedIn in my last year of University, I couldn't believe what I was missing out on! I quickly became very addicted - more than Facebook.”
LinkedIn is pretty cool, it gives you the ability to showoff your profile, skill set/ knowledge, certifications and written recommendations from you connections (contacts list) from previous or current positions. Nowadays, most if not all recruiters and employers use LinkedIn to search for applicants. It saves them a lot of time, but also it demonstrates your credibility as a professional.
So many still underestimate the importance of using LinkedIn.
How many of us actually update our CV on a regular basis? I know I don't. Once you have a profile it may become very addictive and its a good thing! Better this for self development than Facebook where we all waste so much time being nosy lol! Your profile is out in the open, you're clearly a professional or you wouldn't even be reading this article right now. Its here where you get to showoff your talents! On LinkedIn you are exposed to such a big network including recruiters - not just that but you are also exposed to your connection's network.
For example: if you write a status that you're looking for a new role or a specific contract, your connection(s) and network will clearly see this right? This can help you with being referred on or someone in your network may have a friend/ colleague who is looking to fill a similar position. Word of mouth in my opinion is one of the quickest ways that one gets an interview. Your connections can even share your status on their profile! So far so good right? And its completely free with the basic account! However there is a premium account options available. They usually have a 1 month free trial if you wanted to try it out but you are required to input credit card details in to get it. I've not personally tried it yet but to avoid getting charged, you’ll need to cancel at least two days before your trial ends just to be safe.
I found myself on the website each day just tailoring it to my needs and always updating bits here and there just trying to make it look more professional. Oh! The profile photo! Be sure to use a high resolution photo that takes up at least 60-70% of the frame, make sure you're the only person in the photo - you'd be surprised of some of the photos I've seen. No selfies, get someone else to take it yeah lol. A white background is best or just a non distracting background. For attire, wear something you'd wear to work.
LinkedIn App
Its available on both iOS and Android! Whenever I learn something new or have an up coming course, I literally add it there and then via the app! Its so easy and takes seconds! Then when it comes to updating my CV, I have everything I need as a reminder. Its has a user friendly interface, anyone can use this. You can literally edit everything on the App. You can switch your profile status to actively looking or just interested, you can edit your bio (about), add more skills/ certifications, gain social proof for your talents by others recommend and endorse you for past work. Endorsements are awesome!
When others recommend/ endorse you, anyone who sees your profile can see these too - it shows you have other experts backing up your claims to have these skills. This is very powerful in making these connections. You can build your credibility through the endorsements/ testimonials. You can see your profile views, post views and number of searches you appear in, you can also put your profile on private just like on the website. Its a great research tool. You can follow companies or join LinkedIn groups.
I hope this was helpful, if you have any questions or feel that I've missed anything out you want me to elaborate on please feel free to drop me an email at hello@staremix.com
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