Know how LinkedIn works It is a good first step to get the most out of this social network. Because, although it has been operational for a long time, there are still people who are not taking advantage of all the possibilities it offers.
Whether you're looking for a new job or a professional interested in new collaborations, you need to know what LinkedIn is and how it works.
What is LinkedIn?
We know LinkedIn as a digital platform specialized in Connecting professionals from around the worldYes, it is a social network, but what sets it apart from others is that it does not focus on people's personal lives but on their professional lives.
We could say that it is something like a resume online, with the particularity that it allows us to establish contacts with other professionals and companies, promote our business and, at the same time, keep up to date with the latest trends in our sector of activity.
LinkedIn was born in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, as a tool designed to facilitate connections between professionals from different companies and sectors.
From the very beginning, it positioned itself as a much more serious social network than those that existed at the time.
En 2016 Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for a multi-million dollar sum, in an operation that was considered one of the largest acquisitions in the history of technology.
Microsoft paid millions for LinkedIn because it saw an opportunity to access data on professionals and companies that would allow it to develop more personalized tools and services for its customers. But it also offered a good way to expand its services at a time when social media was booming.
How does LinkedIn work?
Broadly speaking, these are the options it offers us and the functionalities that you should know about as a user:
- Professional profile. Your profile acts as an online CV. It should contain your personal details, your work experience, your educational level and your skills, as well as the projects you have collaborated on and recommendations from other professionals or companies.
- Connections. As a social network, LinkedIn is designed for professional networking. You can start by searching for former colleagues or classmates and then explore the profiles of people who work in your same industry.
- Groups. Users can join professional groups based on interests, industries, or geographic locations. These groups are a great place to share knowledge, ask questions, and participate in discussions. They make it easier to connect with other professionals and make themselves known.
- Messenger service. As expected, the platform has an internal messaging system for private communications between users.
- Job search. LinkedIn has a powerful job search tool that makes it easy to locate relevant job postings.
- Publications. Users post articles and share news from their sector as part of their networking strategy.
- Company pages. In addition to professionals, companies are also present on this social network and have their own profiles where they share information about themselves, publish their job offers and through which they connect with potential clients and employees.
How can you get more out of LinkedIn?
Now that you know how LinkedIn works, it's time to get more out of it, so take note of these tips.
Advanced customization of your profile
Don't just fill out your profile with basic information, go a little further:
- Research what are the keywords that are used in your sector and include them naturally in your profile, both in the summary and in your work experience. This way you will be guaranteed to appear in the searches of recruiters and companies.
- Create a Custom URL for your profile that is easy to remember and includes your name.
- Use images, videos and presentations to make your profile more attractive and dynamic. A presentation video is an original way to show your personality and “sell” yourself a little better.
strategic networking
- Seek connection with people who can bring you valueDon't just follow them, explain why you want to connect with them and how you can help them.
- Participate in small and specialized groups where you can make yourself noticed and create more meaningful connections.
- Take part in virtual events to meet other professionals in your sector.
- Requests recommendations to your contacts and offer them your recommendations.
Value content
- Create original and quality content that adds value to your network. You can leverage your own experience, knowledge and opinions to create relevant texts.
- Use the LinkedIn Stories for sharing more informal content and establish a more personal connection with your audience.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator
- Use this service to make advanced searches of potential customers and companies.
- Track your interactions with your contacts and organize your prospects efficiently.
- Use InMail to directly contact people who are not in your network.
Analytics
- Take advantage of LinkedIn's analytics tools to measure your profile performance and your content.
- Integrate your profile with social media management tools like Hootsuite to schedule your posts and analyze your statistics.
Finally, we advise you to put into practice these other tips that will help you improve your presence on this social network and obtain professional opportunities:
- Be constant. You're not going to make contacts overnight. Make sure you're posting content regularly and keeping your profile up to date.
- Interact. Always respond to comments and messages you receive.
- Adapt your profile. Customize it to best fit the type of job or project you are interested in.
- Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience.
- Collaborate with other professionals. Look for opportunities to collaborate with other people working in your sector.
You've already taken the first step, you know what LinkedIn is and how it works. Now it's time to get down to work to improve your profile and establish a good network of contacts.