LinkedIn Basics

LinkedIn Basics

Linkedin Introduction

With over 180 million members all over World, LinkedIn is the largest social media site dedicated to professional networking. While LinkedIn's popularity has continued to increase among job seekers and employers, it's not always clear how to use the site.

In this module, you'll learn about the basics of using LinkedIn. We'll also talk about different strategies you can use to create an effective LinkedIn profile, add new contacts, join groups, and search for jobs.

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn was created specifically for professional networking—the act of building and maintaining a group of contacts to help advance your career.

It allows you to create a professional profile, a brief summary of your skills, work history, and recommendations that serves as a kind of online resume. You can also add different contacts, known as connections, to build your network.

Why Use LinkedIn?

It's important to remember that the majority of job seekers found their most recent position by networking, either through referrals or direct contact with a hiring manager. LinkedIn is an ideal tool for expanding your professional network. Whether you're reaching out to colleagues you already know or establishing new relationships with people in your field, you'll be able to stay organized and keep in touch with your connections.

More and more employers have also started using LinkedIn to screen and recruit potential candidates. Creating an effective profile and building connections could make a big difference when searching for your next job. With the right approach, you might even have employers contacting you about the latest job openings.

Getting Started

To create a LinkedIn account, simply go to www.linkedin.com. After you enter your basic information, LinkedIn will guide you through the process of creating your account step-by-step.