I have been shocked lately at the number of people I’ve met who’ve said something like, “Oh, yeah, LinkedIn….I’m not on that yet.” Or in another instance, an incredibly connected individual on LinkedIn said to me, “I just don’t get LinkedIn. What is it really useful for?” To these people, I (and to back me up, the writers at Forbes agree) have two things to tell you.
- Yes! You have to get on LinkedIn.
- Having a profile is not enough – you have to learn to work that profile.
Forbes agrees with me so much, their recent cover was all about LinkedIn. The headline? “The Anti-Facebook.” You see, LinkedIn might not make perfect sense to you – but it does make sense to the individuals you need to connect with most – recruiters! Today, LinkedIn has become the tool of choice for recruiters worldwide. And as Forbes writer George Anders says:
And in the center is LinkedIn’s richest and fastest-growing opportunity: turning the company’s 161 million member profiles into the 21st-century version of a “little black book” that no corporate recruiter can live without.
Forbes is making it easier for all of us. If there are questions you need answered about LinkedIn, there’s a Forbes article to cover it. Check out these articles from Forbes LinkedIn expert Susan Adams as a start:
Make LinkedIn Help You Find A Job
Nine Expert Tips For Using LinkedIn
Everything You Need To Know About LinkedIn Recommendations
New Expert Tips For Using LinkedIn
But the bottom line is – if you’re not on LinkedIn, get on it. And if you’re on it but not using it, don’t be lazy. Get in the game!
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
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