
Many people think of Linkedin as just a job board, but it’s a great place for learning and networking too. With over a billion members, Linkedin provides the world’s largest professional network. There are other ways to advance your career beyond clicking apply, and the opportunities for networking and learning on Linkedin shouldn’t be overlooked.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
It’s important to have your past experiences and accomplishments on your profile, so those you network with and potential employers can see the full picture that a resume can’t always provide. Make sure your profile includes:
Your education
Your work history
Your skills and where you’ve used them
Recommendations and awards
Publications and projects
A headshot for your profile picture
Make sure to connect with people you know and expand your network. The bigger your network, the more visible you are on Linkedin. Your connections can also endorse your skills, which helps make your profile stand out and prove you are genuinely skilled to recruiters.
Networking on Linkedin
Linkedin is a great place to start networking, and there’s more to it than just connecting with a lot of people. For example, after applying to a job, you can send a connection and message the recruiter who posted it. If applicable, Linkedin also shows if alumni from your school work at the company, and they can be a great resource to reach out to when you apply. This helps your resume stand out from the hundreds a large company may get, and part of why it’s important to have your profile filled out. In addition, you can use Linkedin’s alumni search tool to easily find alumni from your school.
Learning on Linkedin
There’s more than job openings posted across Linkedin–you can follow prominent figures in your industry, or join a Linkedin group to see what people are talking about. You can stay up to date on industry issues and trends while gaining insight from others.
Another way to learn is Linkedin Learning. These online courses are free, and cover a wide variety of skills and topics. It’s a great way to grow professionally, and completing them will allow you to display a certificate on your profile.
Empower Yourself
Linkedin is a valuable tool to empower yourself through learning and networking. Don’t miss out on the opportunities that could be waiting. Whether it’s gaining a new skill or reaching out to an alumni, you never know what might be the moment that changes your career.
Comments