LinkedIn is one of the most effective tools you can use in your career exploration and job search process. Unlike Facebook, which is primarily a “social media” site, LinkedIn is an exponentially growing network of people who are actively interested in making contacts to find a job, build a professional network, or simply advance their careers by gaining knowledge related to their work or industry interests.
Why do you need to get connected? Because that’s where you’ll most likely find the job you’re seeking or the information necessary to successfully pursue opportunities of interest to you. Think of it this way: you use connections every day to find information about what courses to choose, the best movie or restaurant, or simply to get advice. If you’ve ever been in charge of a group, you seek the opinions of people you trust about who to choose for your team. In much the same way, employers use their network to find good candidates. Working professionals use their contacts to learn about the latest trends in their industry and where there are opportunities to advance their organization or career.
LINKEDIN TIPS: