LinkedIn is a social
network platform designed specifically for the business community. According their website, LinkedIn is
“the world’s largest professional network.” The platform functions as a
worldwide job board where job seekers post information in a resume format and employers
list job openings and recruit employees. Generally, LinkedIn is a resource for professionals
to network through, get resources and support, and build relationships with
potential customers, clients and partners.
A LinkedIn member’s profile page includes employment and
education history, professional network news feeds, user skill list,
demographic information, and other customizable options. The news feed shows
relevant industry changes, promoted company stories, and the activity of the
user’s connections. LinkedIn users can promote or verify another user’s skill
list by endorsing them, writing a recommendation letter, or verifying a relationship
by being “connection”. LinkedIn requires connections to have a pre-existing
relationship. The connection feature works like the "Six Degrees of
Separation" concept, you start by connecting with those you know and who
know you, and through them build a larger network. So, if an employer is
considering hiring a LinkedIn member the employer can view who the candidate
knows professionally and use than information to reach out to connections or
infer the candidate’s quality by who they know. Other features include:
• Professional
gallery
• Advanced
people search and alumni search tool
• Review
company analytics
• Follow
companies
• Write
posts
• Save
jobs to apply for
• Congratulate
connections for updates and new jobs
• Joining
professional groups
Purpose
LinkedIn’s
mission statement is, “To connect the world's professionals to make them more
productive and successful. When you join LinkedIn, you get access to people,
jobs, news, updates, and insights that help you be great at what you do.” Stated
simply, the purpose of LinkedIn is the facilitate matching employees and employers
together.
Use in
Business
LinkedIn is a social media platform made specifically to promote B2B
interactions. A firm can use LinkedIn to recruit talent, reduce HR costs,
promote their brand, identify sales opportunities, improve professional face to
face relationships, and increase search visibility.
LinkedIn most ideal for recruiting talented employees. Both
employees and potential new employers are able research and identify each other.
Firms can post content making them more appealing to job candidates. Firms can
also post jobs on LinkedIn to spread awareness of employment opportunities. Users
can even apply directly to a job posting on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is an
ideal platform to increase online presence. With more than two professionals
signing up on LinkedIn every second, firms have the opportunity to network with
an increasing number of professionals that could have a positive impact on the
firm. The personal and group search features enable users to make those
connections, improve their visibility and credibility as a brand.
I believe LinkedIn
is the best social network to generate leads. LinkedIn offers very personal
ways of identifying, engaging, and turning leads into customers. Prospects are likely
to post questions and needs on LinkedIn which gives the B2B marketers an opportunity
to identify new leads. By giving answers to questions on, you can demonstrate
know-how. Prospects will also share content about themselves which gives you
insights on what they find interesting. LinkedIn user demographics show (as
seen in the graphs) members of LinkedIn offer a more affluent and decision maker
rich pool that can easily identified through the search options. Networking
with potential clients and marketing to them indirectly through LinkedIn’s
features will increase the opportunities to make sales.
Assessment
"If you say it, it's
bragging. If someone else says it, it's believable,” Casey
Hart
LinkedIn provides the
opportunity for respected professionals to say positive things about a firm or
an individual. If a professional hears positive
accolades being said and has greater confidence in those things being true,
there is a greater likelihood an action will be taken by that profession for
the individual or firm. There is quality and relevant data to support the use
of LinkedIn by individuals and firms alike. I believe LinkedIn is one of the
few social media platform that has the potential to have a significant impact
on a firm’s bottom line and an even greater impact on an individual’s career.
My Experience
Creating an account was very
simple, as simple as creating a Facebook or Pinterest page. However, creating a
profile I was comfortable with potential employers seeing does take a
significant effort. I felt the effort I was putting into making the profile
would directly translate into better employment opportunities which made the
effort feel well worth it. Unlike making a resume on a word document the
LinkedIn profile won’t be deleted, can be viewed at anytime without me needing
to put it in someone’s hands, and I am able to be more comprehensive when
describing my experience. I am a huge supporter of the site. I have not
personally gotten a job from my profile but I have friends who have. I look
forward to applying the platforms features more precisely when it comes time
for me to search for employment.
References
Wikipedia-LinkedIn
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