There are a couple of questions people always ask when we talk about LinkedIn:
- I’ve already got Facebook, so why do I need LinkedIn?
- Is LinkedIn really going to help my business/career search?
Even if you’re not actively looking for a job right now (but especially if you are, or if you’re an entrepreneur) LinkedIn is the fastest-growing professional networking tool online. It’s also a great place to make yourself stand out from the professional crowd by showcasing certifications, causes and projects you care about.
How are recruiters and clients using LinkedIn?
As of March 2013, 225 million businesspeople worldwide connect on LinkedIn and pageviews have increased 62% over the previous year. It has become a top tool for HR departments and recruiters to find candidates for jobs.
LinkedIn isn’t a place to share personal information or show photos of your family, but it is the place to get seen in a global job market.
The backbone behind LinkedIn is something called “LinkedIn Recruiter” — it’s a service that helps companies worldwide hire talent. It gives headhunters and HR departments the ability to search for potential candidates and accept applications directly through LinkedIn’s interface.
And that’s exactly what they’re doing.
In an April 2013 Wired article, headhunters and talent acquisition managers said they’re already using LinkedIn as a primary screening tool. Read that again — it’s becoming their primary screening tool.
Don’t have a profile? Not only are you at a disadvantage when a potential employer or client searches your name, but you may not even hear about open positions.
That’s because job listings can be posted directly on LinkedIn and applications are accepted through your profile’s dashboard, so some companies are opting to source all their candidates through the site. The network has seen double-digit growth in each of its ten years, so it’s a good bet this trend will continue.
What about LinkedIn for small businesses and entrepreneurs?
If you’re self-employed or running a small business LinkedIn is becoming a prime way for potential clients to reach out to you. Personally, I’ve had several people contact and hire me based on my profile and connections.
A polished LinkedIn profile is like a super-charged resume. Potential employers and clients can see at a glance what you’ve accomplished, who you’re connected with and who endorses you. In a crowded and competitive global marketplace more people will look to services like LinkedIn to vet candidates and service providers.
Should LinkedIn be part of your Personal Branding strategy?
In mid-2013 I started getting a lot of requests for LinkedIn guidance from my small business clients. They saw even before I did how much it was being used as a shorthand for getting to know other professionals.
As a result I started looking into how people search and use LinkedIn, and I started offering profile development as a service. There are many strategies you can employ in building your profile. The LinkedIn Learning Webinars page has lots of advice on making the most out of your profile.
I still perform LinkedIn audits and make recommendations on how to improve business and personal profiles. Contact me if you’d like pricing information. Either way, LinkedIn only continues to grow as a professional tool.
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