Linkedin

     Many of us understand that the main purpose for utilizing social media websites and applications is to simply stay in touch with family, friends, and to meet new people along the way. In other words, social media offer us many advantages as a great social tool, but very seldom we see these advantages in real life from simply posting a status update. This was the case until 2003, when Reid Hoffman had a vision and created LinkedIn (Buck, 2012).

     LinkedIn takes all the benefits from social media and puts them to work for you in one of the most useful social media websites around today. LinkedIn takes the “ease of social network sites and caters to benefiting you with career connections” while aiding the user in creating a very respectable online reputation (Duffy, 2013).

     LinkedIn is a very useful social media website because it allows users to not only let potential recruiters that one is back on the job market, but to make new connections that could potentially further one’s career. The website (when not used to it) can be a little intimidating because it looks a little busy, but once one starts getting used to the website it is very easy to see that there is a summary of everything that an individual could need in order to create and sustain a professional network. From suggestions of people you may have some common interests to jobs that you may be perfect for in your area; LinkedIn offers it all (Duffy, 2013).

     The website functions by setting up a profile, that indicates the user’s list of skills and expertise so potential employers and/or recruiters can have an idea if the individual would be a fit for their companies. To the profile the user add “connections” to his/her profile, these connections can give you recommendations and also confirm the skills and expertise listed which automatically gives the user instant credibility.

     As per Alexandra Samuel (2013), writer of Harvard Business Review, the biggest recommendation that she always gives when utilizing LinkedIn is to be very selective with whom you decide to add to your network. She explains that you should ask yourself, “would I do or ask this person for a favor?” If the answer is yes then you should add the individual. In other words, to maximize LinkedIn be very selective about your network – definitely quality over quantity!

     I personally am not very familiar with LinkedIn but after researching it I will most definitely start my own LinkedIn account. Hope to see you in my network in the near future!

References

Buck. S. (2012). The beginner’s guide to LinkedIn. Retrieved September 15, 2015, from http://mashable.com/2012/05/23/linkedin-beginners/

Duffy, J. (2013). LinkedIn. Retrieved September 15, 2015, from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2120736,00.asp

Samuel, A. (2013). Should I accept that LinkedIn invitation? Retrieved September 15, 2015, from https://hbr.org/2013/06/should-i-accept-that-linkedin.html