LinkedIn is a social network, where scrolling may get you one step closer to your next job, This guide explores what LinkedIn is and whether you should join.
Good to know: looking for a remote job post-pandemic? Check out the best job search sites for remote work.
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What Is LinkedIn?
Facebook, X (Twitter), and other popular social networks tend to focus on the personal aspect of users’ lives, but LinkedIn targets the career part. The social professional network allows users to create resume-like profiles that feature their work experience and skills, connect with professionals, and look for jobs – all from one place! You can think of LinkedIn as a one-stop shop for career growth and professional networking.
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At the same time, LinkedIn for businesses empowers companies to take an active role in online talent acquisition by creating engaging company profiles and directly seeking out potential hires. The service can also be used as a tool to create leads and advertise the business.
When it comes to the interface, LinkedIn is similar to Facebook in outline and overall features. While you should expect to encounter some unique career-focused tools, navigating LinkedIn should come easy to you if you’re familiar with Facebook. LinkedIn is available on most platforms, including computers (via a browser), phones, tablets, and Chromebook.
While users can start using LinkedIn with a free account, the app has several paid options that offer access to extra features:
LinkedIn Premium Subscriptions
- LinkedIn Career ($29.99 per month) – allows you to see who viewed your profile, includes five InMails per month that allow you to reach out to professionals on the platform who you aren’t directly connected with, such as job posters.
- LinkedIn Business ($59.99 per month) – offers unlimited people browsing and 15 InMails per month, as well as the ability to see who viewed your company profile page. Subscribers can also get access to resume insights and top applicant job recommendations.
- LinkedIn Premium Sales ($79.99 per month) – includes all of the above, but gives users access to 50 InMails per month. Most importantly, this plan unlocks access to custom leads and accounts lists and empowers members to find the right leads and accounts with search.
- LinkedIn Premium Hiring ($119.99 per month) – includes 20+ advanced search filters, candidate search alerts, and daily recommendations. The plan also comes with 30 InMails per month.
Tip: watch out for LinkedIn scams while using the service! Learn how to avoid them by checking out our guide.
What Are the Main Features of LinkedIn?
LinkedIn faithfully replicates most of the features you’re already familiar with from using apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. However, LinkedIn does include the below features that are specific to the app.
Networking
Start networking with people in LinkedIn by adding them as “connections.” It’s similar to sending a friend request on Facebook. Once you’ve established a link, you can converse with the person by sending them a private message. While you can’t connect with industry leaders, such as Bill Gates, on Facebook, LinkedIn gives you the chance to do so.
Note: you can also follow people and company pages on LinkedIn without connecting with them. This way you still get to see updates, such as new posts in your feed, and receive notifications from them.
It’s also easy to find people from companies that interest you on LinkedIn. You can use the search function to find the company page, then switch to the People tab to see the business owner and company’s employees. (Note that some businesses may opt to have this information hidden.)
Beyond profiles, LinkedIn can unlock additional professional connections through its group feature. These groups bring together not just colleagues, but users with similar interests, facilitating knowledge sharing and giving you the chance to create your own professional network. The platform also hosts events, allowing members to expand their networks through in-person or virtual interactions.
Work Search
One of LinkedIn’s biggest highlights is that it can lead to new job opportunities. There’s a dedicated Jobs tab that allows you to easily search for open positions that match your criteria. Enhancing your job search efficiency is easy with LinkedIn. The platform offers access to plenty of active listings, with many allowing for direct applications. Additionally, some employers accept applications solely through your LinkedIn “resume” and employment history, making a complete and polished profile crucial for success.
Based on your search history and interest, LinkedIn will continue to suggest similar jobs for you, so don’t forget to check the Jobs tab as frequently as possible. You can even set up alerts so that when a new job listing matching your criteria is posted, you’ll be notified.
LinkedIn even lets you add a handy Open to Work badge, which is applied on top of your profile picture, to alert potential employees that you’re actively seeking a new position.
Stand Out in Your Industry
Similar to other social media networks, LinkedIn allows you to share content. However, the scope is different here. The app encourages users to share their knowledge and insights to connect with other professionals and position themselves as a valuable resource within their industry.
A LinkedIn post can include almost anything, such as text, links, videos, and more. LinkedIn also has a ‘likes’ system, and other members can leave comments and share their posts, which further facilitates member interactions. Like on Instagram, you can add hashtags to your posts to hopefully increase their reach and visibility, as others can search for popular hashtags.
It’s even a good idea to include hashtags in your profile, as it might help you boost your chances of appearing in search results. For instance, if your professional niche is copywriting, you can scatter various related keywords across your profile including content creator, social media management, etc. Make sure you add them in the tagline, summary, and work experience fields.
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Why Use LinkedIn?
If you’re still not sure whether you would benefit from signing up with an account, below are a few reasons why you should join LinkedIn.
- Abundance of open positions – in recent years, the job market has shifted dramatically, and LinkedIn has emerged as a powerhouse platform for finding opportunities. Businesses are increasingly turning to LinkedIn to recruit top talent, leading to a surge in job postings across diverse industries. If you haven’t joined LinkedIn, now could be a good time to sign up with an account so that you can unlock your next big career move.
- Showcasing your skills – this dynamic platform allows you to create a profile that highlights your expertise, achievements, and career aspirations. As a result, visitors will gain a comprehensive understanding of your professional outlook, making you a more compelling candidate. You can also share your LinkedIn profile with potential employers, advertising job openings outside the app, through your CV, or directly. This allows hiring managers to delve deeper into your experience and qualifications without extra effort.
- Knowledge sharing and learning new skills – LinkedIn provides the opportunity to delve deeper into your field by sharing your expertise and engaging with content relevant to your industry. Contributing authority articles and actively participating in discussions can naturally elevate your profile within the professional community – not to mention that you can also bolster your skills on LinkedIn by participating in one or more of the numerous online events.
Tip: check out these AI tools that can help you maximize your productivity.
If you already tried LinkedIn but decided it isn’t for you, learn how to delete your LinkedIn account forever. Alternatively, for those who decided to stay on the platform, make sure your LinkedIn account is secure by enabling two-factor authentication.
Image credit: Pexels. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
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Alexandra Arici –
Staff Writer
Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.
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