With a user base of over 850 million individuals from 200 different countries and regions, LinkedIn has become a vital platform for professionals worldwide. Approximately 52 million users, equivalent to twice the population of Texas, use the application for job hunting, making it an essential tool for job seekers.

As a result, schools and universities are encouraging students to create a LinkedIn account and utilize it for networking and job searches upon graduation. With the application's continuous growth, LinkedIn is consistently adding new features and updates to improve the user experience.

The app has been around for over 20 years, longer than Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, so after all this time, why is LinkedIn still so important?

Networking

LinkedIn is a crucial tool for networking in today's professional world. It is a social networking platform that is designed specifically for professionals, making it an excellent resource for individuals looking to connect with others in their industry. LinkedIn allows users to create a profile that showcases their skills, experiences, and achievements, which can be viewed by potential employers or colleagues.

This platform also provides users with the ability to join groups and participate in discussions, which can help them build relationships with other professionals in their field. By networking on LinkedIn, individuals can expand their professional connections and gain access to new opportunities, making it an essential tool for career development and advancement.

Job Board

The Social Shepard reports that every second, 101 job seekers submit an application on LinkedIn, resulting in over eight million job applications per day. While LinkedIn is popular for networking, many recruiters and companies also use the platform to post job openings and seek potential talent.

Job searches on LinkedIn can be conducted using filters and keywords, and applying for a job is made easy with the "LinkedIn CV," which is generated using the profile data. While uploading a PDF CV is recommended, using the LinkedIn CV is a time-efficient alternative that can direct hiring managers to the user's profile.

For those actively seeking employment, LinkedIn offers an "Open for Work" feature, allowing them to signal their availability to recruiters and potential employers. This feature is hidden from current employers if the user is connected with co-workers and supervisors on the platform.

Building a Personal Brand

Personal branding on LinkedIn is crucial for users who want to establish a professional identity, build a network, showcase their skills and accomplishments, and increase their visibility. As a professional networking platform, LinkedIn offers a unique opportunity to create a strong personal brand that reflects your skills, experience, and career goals. By doing so, individuals can stand out to potential employers, clients, and colleagues.

A strong personal brand also helps individuals to attract like-minded professionals who can support them in achieving their career goals. Through highlighting their achievements, sharing their expertise, and demonstrating their value, individuals can use LinkedIn to showcase their skills and accomplishments to potential employers and clients.

A strong personal brand on LinkedIn can help users to increase their visibility by creating engaging content, interacting with other professionals, and actively participating in discussions and groups. Overall, personal branding on LinkedIn is an essential aspect of professional development and can help individuals reach their career objectives.

LinkedIn Learning

On LinkedIn, you can access LinkedIn Learning, this is a feature that provides a wide range of courses and tests to helps with your career and learning development. With more than 16,000 creditable courses available they can help you highlight the skills you have listed on your profile, setting you apart in a highly competitive job market.

Although this feature on LinkedIn is not free, it offers significant advantages for those who seek to differentiate themselves, such as self-taught professionals who want to validate their skills or individuals who wish to expand their knowledge base.

Appearing on Google

Being discover able on Google offers numerous benefits for individuals and businesses alike, and thanks to LinkedIn, you can be found in Google search! First and foremost, it allows you to establish a strong online presence and increase your visibility to potential customers or clients.

By ranking highly on search engine results pages, you can attract more website traffic, generate more leads, and ultimately increase sales or revenue. Additionally, being discover able on Google can help you build credibility and establish trust with your audience.

When people see that you are easily found on the world's largest search engine, they are more likely to perceive you as a reputable and trustworthy source. This can lead to increased brand awareness, customer loyalty, and repeat business. However, although there are obvious benefits from having a LinkedIn account and being discover able on Google, it is not essential!