How to Use LinkedIn: 6 Ways to Take Advantage of the Networking Site

LinkedIn is a popular professional networking site that boasts one billion members worldwide. It first launched in 2003 as a platform to create and strengthen business connections and has since grown to be a powerful tool for professional development [1]. You can search and apply for jobs on LinkedIn, network with others in your field, and perhaps most importantly, cultivate your brand by quickly and explaining what sets you apart from other professionals in your industry.

LinkedIn has also become a place many recruiters go to learn more about candidates and where you can reach out to recruiters and other professionals about relevant job openings to increase your chances of landing an interview. This is all to say that building a presence on the site can be beneficial when you're interested in finding new opportunities.

Six ways to use LinkedIn

LinkedIn is more than a virtual CV. Whether you're looking for a new role or interested in connecting with major thought leaders in your industry, you have several available ways to use LinkedIn effectively. 

1. Create a professional online presence

Having a presence on LinkedIn can be valuable. As you apply for jobs, recruiters, hiring managers, and others may search for you, and a LinkedIn profile is an excellent way to summarise who you are, what you're interested in, and what you've done. You can upload your photo, write an eye-catching summary, list your previous work experience as you would on a CV, and add your education (including professional certificates).

2. Find job opportunities

No matter where you live, LinkedIn is an excellent job repository. You can discover new professional opportunities via the "Jobs" icon on the top menu of your homepage, searching for roles by job title, keyword, or area. You can even specify remote opportunities in the "location" field.

Moreover, LinkedIn's tools allow you to filter jobs by experience level, salary requirements, and location. You can also create a targeted LinkedIn search and set alerts for new opportunities to apply faster.

3. Apply for jobs

When you find a job you're interested in, LinkedIn allows you to apply directly through its site with your profile or redirects you to the relevant applicant tracking system (ATS) that a particular company uses to gather candidate information. In that case, you'll likely need to upload your cover letter and other materials.

4. Network

Who you know can help open doors when it comes to your career. Networking leads to more opportunities, and knowing someone at a hiring company can lead to a referral, significantly improving your chance of getting hired.

On LinkedIn, you’ll discover people you know (from past or current companies, school, volunteer work, and more) and those you don't. Take time to connect and build your network. LinkedIn will also suggest people you know under the "My Network" tab. You can message them once you connect with someone to deepen your connection.

5. Follow thought leaders

Many people use LinkedIn to share thoughts, articles, and more about the professional world. You can follow these "thought leaders" and gain valuable insight into your current industry, a new industry, or a more significant work-related issue, like work-life balance. Simply click on the "+ Follow" link next to their name.

Note: Following people is different from connecting with them in that you won't be able to message them without a premium account, which carries a monthly cost and offers benefits like sending InMail [2]. Even then, the other person may not see your message if they have a lot of followers and connections.

6. Produce content

LinkedIn's news feed is ideal for positioning yourself as an expert in your industry. With a click, you can share a wealth of information you’ve written and discovered through additional online research. You can also share photos, videos, events, and full articles with your professional network directly on the site. In this way, you can grow to be a thought leader yourself.

Get started today

Although many people underestimate LinkedIn's advantages, leveraging its benefits can make a significant difference in your professional trajectory. From gaining exposure to recruiters to gaining social proof of your abilities, this networking site is a powerful tool to move forward. 

Setting up a LinkedIn account is easy with any email address. As you get started, you may want to brush up on your writing skills if you plan to publish white papers and blogs to maximise the site's features. You can browse Coursera for online Specialisation courses like Good With Words: Writing and Editing from the University of Michigan. You’ll gain confidence and skills, so you’re ready to improve your career outlook using LinkedIn.