So what’s the deal with LinkedIn these days?
Who really scrolls through profiles anymore to hire employees or see the professional backgrounds of people? Isn’t LinkedIn just a glorified resume? With all of the progressions in the digital space for HR directors to weed through candidates, who really need a LinkedIn account anymore? You’d actually be surprised.
LinkedIn is absolutely not dead, and it is absolutely necessary for everyone, even if you aren’t in the market for a new job. Check out some of the reasons why LinkedIn isn’t dead and why you should keep your profile up-to-date.
Build a Network
LinkedIn is a great way to build a professional network. You can become part of a community of individuals that are in the same field as you, and also connect with HR directors in your industry. This is a great way to open doors for possibly opportunities in the future.
Let the Opportunities Come to You
Once you create a network, you’re much more likely to have opportunities come to you. HR Directors do tap in their their LinkedIn network to search for candidates for job openings. They actually prefer reaching out to those in their LinkedIn network, since they are already familiar with the person and their professional background.
Industry Groups
One of the great things about LinkedIn also is that you can become a part of industry groups, which is a private group of individuals in your industry. So for example, let’s say you’re a photographer that lives in Atlanta, GA. You can find a photography group based in Atlanta on LinkedIn. This could be a group of people who share opportunities, get ideas off each other, and even people looking for photographers in that specific city.
Keep Everything Up-to-Date
If you’re going to stay on LinkedIn, be sure you do it right and keep all your professional information up-to-date. This means updating all of your professional and academic information as you go. Having an out-of-date LinkedIn page will only hurt you if you’re looking for new opportunities.
Keep Up with News in Your Industry
Last, but not least, LinkedIn is a great way to stay up-to-date on the news in your industry. There are several groups and news sources you can follow and read everyday to make sure you are fully aware of what’s happening in your industry.
Are you on LinkedIn? Have you benefited from using it recently? Tell us about it in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!
Photo Credit: SplitShire.com
A Florida native filled with charm, a sense of humor, style, and a passion for writing, Dana Damato is a talented journalist covering all things entertainment, fashion, food, travel, and lifestyle. Dana first realized her dreams of becoming a writer at age ten and wrote her first book at the age of 12. With a growing passion for writing, Dana knew from then on that being a writer is what she needed to do as a career.
