Using LinkedIn to further your career
By: Vincent Tran
Published on: January 3rd, 2025
When navigating the job market landscape, the internet is one of your greatest assets.
There are many resources available on the internet that can help you in your job search and help bring more recognition to you as a professional.
One of these resources is LinkedIn. While you may have heard of or are already on LinkedIn, this platform might prove to be an essential component of your professional journey.
LinkedIn has become an essential website when job hunting, and it can benefit your career if you know how to use it. Here is a quick rundown of what you should know about LinkedIn and how it can help you in your career.
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a social media website for your career or professional work life. Think of it as a more professional version of Facebook catered to your career.
LinkedIn offers features that are similar to other social media websites. You can create connections with others, similar to following or becoming friends with someone on Instagram or Facebook. You can also post content on your feed for others to see.
You can directly message people on LinkedIn, making it a great website to contact employers and other people within your field or career. The simplicity of the website makes it easy for you to communicate with professionals in your industry.
You can keep your profile up to date with your latest jobs, employment opportunities, and past education. This can help you get noticed by employers within your career field.
How can you maximize LinkedIn’s features?
While LinkedIn offers many features similar to other social media websites, it provides tools and resources that make it very useful for your professional goals.
One of these features is the job search function on LinkedIn. This function allows you to find openings and job postings that may correlate to your career. You can search for jobs on LinkedIn within your area of expertise and apply to them. Some job postings will allow you to apply directly on LinkedIn, while others will redirect you to the company’s website.
LinkedIn also provides an option that allows you to save your resume on the website. Whenever you apply for jobs on LinkedIn, the file for your resume is saved on the website for easy access.
The job postings on LinkedIn are beneficial because you can see who is posting the job, and there are also detailed job descriptions on the postings. Sometimes you can see the profile of the person who posted the job opening. This can be a great way to contact the employer by sending them a message if you have any questions or want to connect with them.
Another way you could maximize LinkedIn is by keeping your profile current. As previously mentioned, you can update your profile on LinkedIn to reflect your previous work experience or education.
Keeping your profile up-to-date lets others see your past roles and experiences while highlighting your skills. Even something as simple as adding a profile picture or banner can help others know who you are and put a face to your profile.
It also allows employers and others within your field to get an initial sense of who you are as a person and professional. Updating your profile can get you noticed by employers, and some may even start reaching out to you for opportunities.
The job search feature will also update according to your profile as well. If you continue to update your profile with new information and skills, the job search feature will reflect this. It will recommend job postings based on your profile and allow you to find opportunities better suited to your experience.
How using LinkedIn can benefit your future
LinkedIn’s features allow you to be better represented in the job market and present a great, simple option for improving your career outlook.
If you have not already been using LinkedIn frequently for your career goals, then you should give it a try and see how it works for you.
With the increasing use of the internet in the job market, it is a good idea to have an internet presence so others can notice you.
LinkedIn does a good job of helping others in their professions. It is something that you will want to consider learning about when you are looking to advance your career or when seeking new employment opportunities.