How To Use LinkedIn To Further Your Career
Connecting with people has never been easier with Social Media. We use it in almost every aspect of our lives, for work, entertainment, and for school. But how can we use Social Media to stay ahead of the game when it comes to our careers?
With all the social media platforms out there, you may ask the question, which one should I use? One powerful platform you should recognize is LinkedIn. It is designed for business professionals to network, learn new skills, and search for job opportunities.
According to Business News Daily, LinkedIn currently has 610 million members worldwide. These members include “Executives from 92% of Fortune 500 companies, and 77% of recruiters.” You cannot deny that LinkedIn is the place to be when it comes to your career!
Getting started could not be any easier. But there are some things you want to keep in mind from creating to managing your profile.
One of my favourite quotes from Oscar Wilde is: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” The key here is to be authentic. People respond to those who represent the real person behind the profile.
Creating Your Profile:
Your profile picture will be the first thing people will see. LinkedIn is a place for professionals, so your picture should represent you in the same way as if you were at work. Check out: 11 tips to follow for the perfect LinkedIn profile picture.
Your Personal Brand Statement
What makes you stand out from others? Why not reach out to people you have worked with to get their feedback? Once your personal brand has been created, make sure to stick with it throughout your profile. Of course, it can be modified as your career changes, so do not worry about tweaking it as you go.
Now go ahead and add your personal brand statement to your ‘header’ where it will be the first thing people see. Check out: How to Write Your Personal Branding Statement.
Work Experience
Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out in the workforce, take the time to fill out the ‘experience’ section of your profile. Highlighting your experience and skills will help you get noticed by employers.
Networking
“Networking is not only about trading information,” says Bianca Miller Cole, Forbes, “but also serves as an avenue to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits.”
Making connections with the right people can open doors to endless opportunities. It is all about who you know. Start by reaching out to those who you work with or have worked with in the past. In time, your network will grow, so be patient!
Join Communities
Join groups that are in line with your personal brand, then jump in on the discussion! This will help you connect with the right people and help you learn from other professionals in the same field.
Asking for a Recommendation
Asking for recommendations or endorsements from your work colleagues will allow your personality and work style to stand out. When asking for a recommendation or endorsement, make sure that you send a personalized note. Your message should ask the person which skills and experience you would like them to highlight. Do not forget, these skills should be in line with your personal brand statement!
Learning on LinkedIn
One great feature this social media platform offers is LinkedIn learning. It is a Premium feature, but I highly suggest subscribing. This is where you can search topics from Project Management to organizing your remote office for maximum productivity. Use these courses to also help you keep in the loop with the newest workplace trends.
In the end, LinkedIn will give you that competitive edge, allow you to network, learn new skills and create new job opportunities. What have you discovered about LinkedIn? Leave your comments below!
Also check out 6 Tips to Use LinkedIn to its Full Potential and How to , Out in 4 Achievable Steps, to get the most out of the LinkedIn.
