LinkedIn not only provides access to a powerful job board, but it provides useful insights and encourages interaction with hiring managers and other industry professionals.

Does LinkedIn actually improve your career prospects? The job search/social media hybrid can add serious value to your job search and will continue to support your career growth through networking and industry updates.

Here are some of the key reasons you need to jump online and create your LinkedIn account (if you haven’t already!), along with some top tips on how to get the most out of the platform.

1. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

First things first, LinkedIn hosts millions of job ads. With over 55 million companies listed worldwide, it’s no surprise the platform has opportunities that don’t exist on traditional job boards. LinkedIn allows you to directly apply for jobs from the ad, you can save and receive notifications about your job searches and see how you stack up against other applicants.

You can also make yourself visible to recruiters when you’re seeking employment and are interested in hearing about opportunities in your field.

2. Build Your Professional Brand

As you gain skills and qualifications in your area of expertise, it’s important to build and maintain your personal brand. Your LinkedIn profile is the perfect place to do this, as it gives you the opportunity to showcase your skills, strengths and personality. Make yourself stand out and use your profile to tell recruiters or hiring managers why you’re the best person for the job.

Take a look at our guide – 5 reasons you should build a personal brand, to get started.

3. Stay Up To Date

A sure-fire way to impress future employers is to know what’s happening in the industry. LinkedIn allows you to keep your finger on the pulse by tapping into industry news, trends and reports. You can also easily access updates from companies, connections and groups, straight from your news feed.

4. Useful Research Tool

It’s highly likely the company you want to work for has an active LinkedIn profile. Just like recruiters getting to know you through your profile, you too can get to know a company and its employees. In most cases, you’ll have access to a wealth of information from a company’s profile and you can get a good idea of the workplace culture.

LinkedIn can be an invaluable research tool when preparing for an interview or accepting a job offer. If you’re preparing for your next interview, we also recommend checking out these top 10 sites for interview preparation.

5. Boost your credibility

Your LinkedIn profile will help to build trust with recruiters and employers. They’ll have visibility of your connections, professional and life experiences, and the contributions you’ve made to past employers.

Be sure to demonstrate all of your skills and network wisely. Build connections with people who will bring value to your network and promote your credibility. This can include people in your industry, or the industry you want to work in.

Tips to get the most out of LinkedIn

Use LinkedIn to your advantage and create career opportunities with these helpful tips.

  • Use a professional profile picture.
  • List all of your work history – unlike a resume, LinkedIn doesn’t need to be concise. Showcase the diversity in your skillset even if you think some of your experience is irrelevant. A hiring manager may be drawn to some of your life skills.
  • Make your summary stand out – let your personality shine!
  • Use LinkedIn groups, they’re a great tool for discussing ideas and sharing industry news.

If you’re new to LinkedIn, take a look at this helpful guide on how to create your profile and explore job opportunities. If you’re ready to gain a qualification that can boost your profile and kickstart your new career, get in touch with us today to find out if you’re eligible for RPL.