LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for the business community. You can use Linkedin to connect with people in your industry or other sectors that you may be interested in.
It’s a great way to build up a contact list within your chosen sector/s, by connecting with people who work within similar companies or positions to you, along with those who work for training providers and universities. This opens you up to potential opportunities, whether that be for advice on how to get into a field or even job offers.
We all know the importance of social media when it comes to searching for jobs and building up a career but we often forget about Linkedin because we think it’s just another version of Facebook with more professional content, which is true but there is so much more than that!
Many people think that having a LinkedIn profile isn’t important or they don’t have time to create one so they don’t bother with it. However, LinkedIn has a lot of great features that can benefit you in many ways if you utilize them properly. If you do not already have a LinkedIn profile, I encourage you to create one as soon as possible since there are many advantages that come from having an online presence on this platform.
The most important thing about this site is that it will help you to develop a professional network of contacts. By building a strong network you are creating an avenue for career opportunities, whether this be information about upcoming jobs or recommendations from people who have worked with you previously. It’s a great way to meet people in your industry who can provide valuable information on what they do, how they do it, and how they got there. Your network can help you find out information on job openings before they are advertised, provide advice on what skills and experience are required for a job, give you an insight into the organisation’s work culture etc.
