There are millions of people that want to know why they should use LinkedIn. They already have Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc, so why do they need to join yet another networking website? The answer is simple. LinkedIn is a unique, professional network that helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals. It is your online resume that showcases your abilities and recommendations. Below are some top reasons to jump on the LinkedIn bandwagon:
- Keep in touch: Stay in touch with colleagues, clients, managers, work friends and other professional contacts. (LinkedIn is basically your electronic Rolodex.)
- Stay current in your industry: There are numerous groups and individuals that are always posting the most current information about specific industries or fields.
- Learn about your field of interest: Connect/network with someone in that field or just simply read their articles and blurbs. Senior professionals from every walk of life congregate and network on LinkedIn.
- Job search/career change: Advertise yourself with your professional LinkedIn profile to potential employers that may be looking for someone with your background/experience. Your profile will display your experience, resume, recommendations, etc. Make sure to us a professional photo. This is a professional network!
- Recruit/find potential employees: On the flip side, if you’re a business owner or a recruiter, you can use LinkedIn to find future employees through referrals or professional groups.
- Drive traffic to your LinkedIn page: Webdirect blog suggests that by using LinkedIn, you improve your Google PageRank. LinkedIn allows you to make your profile information available for search engines to index. Since LinkedIn profiles receive a fairly high PageRank in Google, this is a good way to influence what people see when they search for you.
- Position yourself as an expert:Maybe you have extensive experience in a field or industry. Make yourself known as an expert on LinkedIn and establish additional connections, give advice to others, or be a consultant.
