Why You Should Be On LinkedIn
Unfortunately there are still so many professionals who are overlooking the value of having a LinkedIn profile and in turn, are starting to feel the negative effects. With the rise in popularity of social network sites in the last decade, it is no surprise that LinkedIn has become a favorite network for so many professionals. It allows members to link and get to know other professionals with the same interests as themselves. Like all social networks, LinkedIn emphasises not only what you know, but who you know and where you know them from.
As we know, finding for a job in the current economy is not as easy as it has been in the past and employers and employees alike are looking to find new ways to full positions. LinkedIn has become a place where employees and employers are gathering to fulfill this need and, for many professionals, this is where the job seeking and finding is taking place. What makes LinkedIn so suited for job seekers is the function of displaying a detailed Curriculum Vitae on your profile as well as a numerical display of your connections you know through previous or current business ventures.
What is also fantastic about this network is that if you have a full, completed profile it will easily be found on a Google search, making you even more approachable for a job position. Why would hiring managers pay an recruitment agency thousands of rands to find someone who may not be appropriate for the job when they could just search through LinkedIn where all the relevant information is easily available.
A complete, well put together LinkedIn profile gives a great impression of who you are and what you are like. You can come across well organised, technically minded and knowledgeable. This is fabulous, especially if your profile viewers are looking to employ you. Keep in mind though that a sloppy, incomplete and outdated profiles sends very bad impressions and will most likely be overlooked entirely.
Professional, well maintained and heavily connected profiles will also help your online reputation which increases your credibility and in turn your possible likability. As most top achieving professionals know, a good online reputation and presence is as important as having a good offline one.
Another fantastic function of LinkedIn is the ability for professionals to create groups of people with the same interests and targets. Here you can share information and discuss ideas, an invaluable application for professional wishing to expand their circles and connections. These online conversations are also a fantastic way to stay up-to-date with trends and concepts and provide an amazing platform to promote your brand. And guess what, its free.
LinkedIn is versatile and easy to use which is why it has become such a popular network for professionals. It has become a integral part of professional businesses and has emphasized the importance of networking.
