Today I noticed that many people use LinkedIn yet a lot of people are clueless about the benefits that come with this particular social media networking site. LinkedIn is that site you should be on if you are a student, a business person, a career enthusiast, a CEO, a job seeker, an intern, etc. You will ask? Why LinkedIn? And I would say, why not LinkedIn? The numerous benefits that come with it are worth talking about. Are you looking to connect and network with people of the same interests and career goals as you, or a platform to sell yourself and what you do, or a site where your business or organization can gain visibility and awareness or in need of a job or internship? Then stress no further, LinkedIn is the right place to be. It's sweet to mention the benefits that come with being on LinkedIn but we won't leave out the necessary things you have to do if you want to be noticed on LinkedIn and this blog post is aimed at enlightening you on the first important steps to take.

How to get started on LinkedIn

  • Download the app: Before we delve into how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, it's necessary to know that you have to have an account on LinkedIn and to do this you need to open a LinkedIn account by downloading the app on google play store or Apple store on your smartphone or laptop. You can also use LinkedIn on the web without downloading the app but it's better to have the app in order to have full access to the activities on LinkedIn. After you have downloaded the app, setting up your profile is the next thing.
  • Create your profile: Signing up and creating your profile is the best way to start using LinkedIn. A complete profile on LinkedIn will showcase your name or company's name, your picture or company's logo, qualifications, skills, interests, milestones, professional life, etc. This profile will summarize your entire professional experience with your connections, current and future employers, and recruiters.
  • Build your network: Building your network is another important step in unlocking the power of LinkedIn. You can begin by adding family and friends, colleagues, co-workers, coursemates, etc to your network. You can also follow people, companies or topics relating to your interest and profession. In doing this, you are helping yourself to understand what's happening in your industry and professional circle.
  • Engage in conversations: LinkedIn is not an app you have and be dormant on it, you need to engage with your connections. Participate in conversations that can allow you to share your perspectives and opinions on relevant topics with others. You can engage people's posts by liking, commenting and sharing. You can also create or join LinkedIn groups to grow and connect with members of the same interests, aspirations and experiences.
  • Post content: As much as you engage with people's content, also post content. LinkedIn is a place people come to connect, learn and share ideas. Have something to offer, and post content that will empower and educate your professional circle.
  • Find a job: If you are looking for new job opportunities, you can get started on a job search on LinkedIn. With LinkedIn, you can search for companies relating to your preference and look for the ones hiring. You can apply for jobs directly, save job searches and also notify your connections and recruiters that you're open to job opportunities. You should also activate your job alert notification in order to get notified when new job opportunities related to your niche are posted.

Final words:

LinkedIn is a very important social network that every professional should use to sell themselves and find opportunities around the globe. It is expedient to also know that LinkedIn offers free, basic membership to anyone who wants to create and maintain a professional profile online but if you want to enjoy more features and gain further access to LinkedIn products, you will have to upgrade to a premium subscription. This paid subscription includes marketing, recruitment, sales, and learning products. In conclusion, know that with LinkedIn, you get to see the professional world better and know how to navigate through it to your benefit.

Thank you for reading through ❤️. Did you learn something new? If you did, let me know in the comment section, don't forget to like, comment and share.