Having used the last two posts on this blog to introduce LinkedIn, let me now summarise the benefits you can secure by ensuring you have a profile on LinkedIn. This will enable you to:

  • put your generic CV ‘out there’ showing your career history and key skills;
  • include reference to your current role as your current role;
  • get to grips with the LinkedIn website and features before you NEED to use them;
  • reconnect (online) and remain in contact with ex colleagues and other business contacts – ie: build and enhance your network;
  • be found online by new contacts who you meet on a day to day basis; and
  • build your reputation as a helpful person before you start needing help – Those who try to use any online network solely for what they can get out of it will be less successful than those who seek first to contribute to the network.

Although it would have been better to have done all this beforehand it is still worth doing so if you’re now seeking work.  In addition to the above benefits:

  • This will make it easy for you to be found by the recruiters who use LinkedIn to source candidates to fill vacancies;
  • You will have a business environment in which you can communicate without using an unprofessional ‘personal’ email address and as distinct from the Facebook ‘fun’ environment;
  • New contacts can get in touch with you without having to rely on a scrap of paper containing your scribbled phone number and email address.

If you are on LinkedIn and feel there are other reasons for our fellow professionals to register a profile there, please add your comments below. Equally if you disagree, please provide a contrary view.

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