LinkedIn isn’t exactly the first platform that comes to mind when we think about social media. It doesn’t have the viral videos of TikTok or the endless feeds of Instagram—but that’s because LinkedIn isn’t just a social media platform, it’s a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Let’s talk about how to use LinkedIn the right way and get the most out of it!
What is LinkedIn exactly?
Let’s start with the basics. What is LinkedIn, and what purpose does it serve? LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, with over 1 billion members from 200 countries around the world. It was launched in 2003 with a mission to connect professionals and help them be more productive and successful.
Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn is designed specifically for professional networking, job searching, and career development. It serves several key purposes. First, it’s a hub for professional networking, allowing you to connect with colleagues, industry peers, mentors, and potential employers. Second, it’s a powerful job-searching tool with a vast database of job listings and a platform where recruiters actively seek candidates.
It also enables personal branding by providing a space to showcase your professional achievements, skills, and endorsements. On top of all this, it facilitates knowledge sharing, acting as a hub for industry news, insights, and thought leadership.
The popularity of LinkedIn is growing because professionals across industries recognise its value. In today’s world, where people already view you with suspicion if you’re ‘not online’, a virtual professional presence is essential—and LinkedIn is the go-to platform for that.
LinkedIn is important for career progression
We’re all familiar with just how much the job market has evolved over the past decade—after all, we’re a very online population and everything is, well, online. The rapid evolution of digital technology has changed how we network, search for jobs, and build our careers making LinkedIn more important than ever. Why?
1. LinkedIn significantly increases your visibility to potential employers, recruiters, and industry leaders. By having a well-optimised profile, you’re more likely to appear in search results when recruiters are looking for candidates with your skill set.
2. It helps you build a strong professional brand. Your profile acts as a digital resume and portfolio, highlighting your skills, achievements, and experiences in a way that sets you apart from other candidates.
3. LinkedIn’s is fantastic for networking—especially for those who work remotely. It allows you to connect with professionals worldwide, opening doors to new opportunities that might not be available through traditional networking methods.
4. The platform is vital for those looking to upskill as it offers thousands of courses, enabling you to continuously develop new skills and stay competitive in your field. LinkedIn also keeps you informed on the latest industry trends, news, and insights, ensuring you remain relevant and knowledgeable in your profession.
Setting up your LinkedIn profile
Now that we understand the importance of LinkedIn, the next step is setting up and optimising your profile for 2024. Your LinkedIn profile is your digital resume and professional portfolio so here are some key steps you’ll need to take.
1. Your profile picture is the first thing people see, and profiles with photos get 21 times more views and 36 times more messages than those without. So use this space wisely. Watch our video on creating a professional LinkedIn profile picture at home for a quick and easy tutorial.
2. Writing a compelling headline is the second most important step. Your headline should clearly state your professional identity and what you offer. Doing this immediately gives anyone who views your profile a clear understanding of your skills and value.
3. Your “About” section should be strong and engaging. Use this space to summarise your professional background, key achievements, and what you’re passionate about. This is your elevator pitch, which encapsulates everything that makes you unique. You can also use this space to detail your notable (and relevant) achievements. Add some information about what you hope to achieve in the future too. This way, you’ll create a simple yet all-encompassing story, which makes a strong first impression.
4. When detailing your work experience, focus on achievements and skills gained. Use bullet points for clarity and include relevant keywords. For example, instead of simply listing your job duties, describe the impact you had in each role. Did you increase sales, go beyond your KPIs or improve operational processes? Highlight these achievements to show potential employers what you can bring to their organisation.
5. List your skills and get endorsements from colleagues. Having a list of skills on your profile allows recruiters to see at a glance what you’re good at but anyone can say anything online, right? It’s the internet! Instead of simply listing your skills, try to get endorsements from colleagues, supervisors—or anyone in a professional capacity. This adds a lot more credibility to your profile as it shows that other professionals recognise your abilities and trust you to do well.
6. In addition to skill endorsements, see if you can get recommendations written by your peers, clients, etc. These act as testimonials about your work ethic and achievements, so more recruiters are more likely to look at you favourably. A well-written recommendation can make a big difference to a potential employer’s perception of you.
7. Customise your LinkedIn URL to make it more professional and easier to share. This small step can make a big difference when you’re including your LinkedIn profile on your resume or business cards.
8. Make sure to keep your profile up-to-date with new roles, projects, and achievements. Regular updates show that you’re active on the platform and committed to your professional development.
Using LinkedIn the right way
Now that you’re all set up and ready to go, it’s time to dive into LinkedIn’s most useful features for your career growth. Like any other social media, LinkedIn offers the standard DMs, feeds, posts, tags, and more. What sets this platform apart are two things in particular: the intention behind these features and the more unique offerings that cater to those looking to build their careers. Let’s get into the best features.
LinkedIn Learning
Previously Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning offers over 5,000 courses on a variety of topics, from technical skills to soft skills. This feature allows you to continually develop new skills and stay competitive in your field. Whether you want to learn a new programming language, improve your public speaking, or gain insights into project management, LinkedIn Learning has a course for you. By completing these courses and adding them to your profile, you not only enhance your skill set but also demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning to potential employers.
Collaborative articles
Collaborative articles are a new feature that allows you to tap into the collective knowledge of the LinkedIn community. These articles are AI-powered conversation starters developed with LinkedIn’s editorial team and include insights and perspectives from LinkedIn members. By contributing to collaborative articles, you can share your expertise, learn from others, and engage in professional topics relevant to your field.
Enhanced job search
LinkedIn’s job search tools are extensive, offering a vast database of job listings from companies worldwide. You can search for jobs based on location, industry, and job title. LinkedIn also allows you to save jobs of interest, apply directly through the platform, and gain insights about other applicants. By using LinkedIn’s job search tools, you can streamline your job search process and increase your chances of finding a position that matches your skills and career goals.
You can also use the Company Pages to help you vet potential employers before you apply for any job roles. When you search for a company on LinkedIn, you can access its LinkedIn landing page, which is a goldmine of information. These pages provide background insights about the organisation, a list of job advertisements, and details about current and past employees.
Publishing Platform
LinkedIn’s Publishing Platform is basically where you post from, allowing you to share articles, posts, and updates with your network. This feature is a great way to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. By regularly posting high-quality content, you engage with your network, share your insights, and showcase your expertise, while building your personal brand.
Join relevant LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn Groups are communities where professionals with similar interests can share insights, ask questions, and engage in discussions. Joining industry-specific groups allows you to connect with like-minded professionals, stay informed about industry trends, and participate in meaningful conversations. Being active in groups can help you build your reputation, gain visibility, and network with professionals who can support your career growth.
Your own LinkedIn feed
LinkedIn’s newsfeed keeps you informed about industry news, trends, and insights—if you’ve put in the work of following the right pages, people and topics. You can find a lot of valuable information, such as posts about company layoffs, industry developments, and professional opinions.
Comment threads allow for deeper discussions on specific topics, and partaking in this can help you build confidence and authority. Use this to share your perspectives and connect with professionals who share your interests.
Follow and Connect
LinkedIn’s Follow and Connect features allow you to build a virtual network that can greatly benefit your career. ‘Following’ thought leaders, useful pages, topics and industry influencers keeps you informed about their insights and updates. ‘Connecting’ with professionals in your field helps you expand your network, gain new opportunities, and improve your influence. By connecting with key people, you can enhance your professional relationships and increase your visibility on the platform.
Use it wisely for more personal and professional growth
LinkedIn might not be everyone’s favourite social media platform, but its value for personal and professional growth is undeniable. It’s a comprehensive tool for building your personal brand, showcasing your work history, getting recommendations, networking, and upskilling.
Whether you’re looking to advance in your current career, switch industries, or simply stay informed about your field, LinkedIn is an essential part of your professional toolkit.
Remember: having a professional online presence could take your career a long way. So, we highly recommend that you invest some time in building a strong profile and actively engage with the platform.
If you’re looking to kick off your career the right way this year, book a call with us. Let’s talk about it! You can also subscribe to our newsletter for the latest career information, tips, and updates. (They’re both completely free!)
