Beginners guide: What is LinkedIn and how does it work?
LinkedIn essentials:
- A profile: This is like a mini-resume or CV, and it’s how you present yourself to the LinkedIn community. You’ll want to include your work history, skills, and education, as well as any other relevant information about yourself.
- Connections: LinkedIn is all about making and maintaining professional connections. You can add fellow LinkedIn users as connections, and then message them, comment on their posts, and collaborate on projects.
- Groups: LinkedIn groups are like online discussion forums for professionals with similar interests. You can join groups to participate in discussions, collaborate on projects, and network with other professionals.
- Jobs: LinkedIn can also be used as a job search engine. You can search for jobs, and LinkedIn will show you any open positions that match your skills and experience. You can also use LinkedIn to find potential employers and recruiters.
A quick tour of LinkedIn:
- Home: The home page is where you’ll see your recent activity and notifications from LinkedIn. This is also where you can access your profile, connections, groups, and jobs.
- Profile: Your profile is like a mini-resume or CV. You’ll want to include your work history, skills, and education, as well as any other relevant information about yourself.
- My Network: My Network is where you can see your connections and pending invitations. You can also search for other LinkedIn users and send them invitations to connect.
- Messaging: LinkedIn has a built-in messaging system that you can use to communicate with your connections. You can also use LinkedIn messaging to start group conversations.
- Notifications: The notifications tab is where you’ll see any recent activity or messages from LinkedIn.
- Me: The “Me” tab is where you can access your profile, settings, and privacy options.
Nine Ways to Get the Best from LinkedIn:
Get the basics right
Before you do anything else, make sure you have a strong profile that accurately reflects your professional brand. This is your chance to make a good first impression, so take the time to do it right.
Connect with people you know
One of the best ways to get started on LinkedIn is to connect with people you already know. LinkedIn will show you any connections you have in common with other users, making it easy to find and add people you know.
Join relevant groups.
LinkedIn groups are a great way to connect with other professionals with similar interests. Groups can be used to discuss topics, collaborate on projects, and network with other professionals.
Follow companies you’re interested in.
If you’re looking for a job, it’s a good idea to follow companies you’re interested in. This way, you’ll be able to see any job openings that match your skills and experience.
Get involved in the discussion.
One of the best ways to stand out on LinkedIn is to be an active participant in the discussion. This means commenting on posts, starting your own discussions, and writing articles.
Share your expertise.
LinkedIn is a great platform for sharing your expertise with the world. You can write articles, give presentations, and even host webinars.
Promote your company’s name.
If you have a personal brand, LinkedIn is a great place to promote it. You can share your content, connect with other influencers, and even run ads.
Stay up to date.
LinkedIn is a great way to stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry. You can follow companies, groups, and influencers to stay up to date with the latest news and trends.
Get help from LinkedIn
If you’re not sure how to use LinkedIn, or you’re having trouble with something, LinkedIn has a wealth of resources to help you. You can find helpful articles, tutorials, and even customer support.
Make use of LinkedIn Premium.
LinkedIn Premium is a paid subscription that gives you access to a number of additional features, including advanced search, InMail credits, and access to LinkedIn Learning.
Conclusion:
LinkedIn is a powerful platform for building your professional brand and connecting with other professionals. By following these tips, you can make the most of LinkedIn and get the most out of your career.
