How do I use my LinkedIn?

LinkedIn makes it easy to connect with other professionals, stay up-to-date on industry news, and share knowledge by giving users an opportunity to show off their expertise. It's also one of the best ways to keep track of what colleagues are doing across different platforms (so if they're looking for work, or want to hire someone).

Whether you've been using LinkedIn since its launch in 2003 or have just signed up today, there's no shortage of advice out there about how to maximise your chances of getting hired and promoted at work. But while all that information might be useful, we think some of it can feel like overkill when it comes to everyday use. Here's everything you need to know about the basics of LinkedIn.

We'll start from the top down. What exactly does LinkedIn do? How should you use it? And why would anyone even care about this thing called "linked" anything? Well, we’ll take you through those questions step by step, but first let’s talk about who uses LinkedIn and what they love most about it.

How do you actually use LinkedIn?

If you've used LinkedIn before, then you probably already know that it connects you with friends and professional connections around the world, as well as sharing articles and videos. You can also look for jobs, see what your competitors are up to, and see what others in your field are saying about certain topics.

There are plenty more things you could do with LinkedIn, though - here are some ideas:

Find potential clients

See where your competitors are advertising

Discover new industries

Learn how to market yourself better

Research skills you don't yet possess

Connect with influencers and experts in your field

Share links to interesting posts

Build relationships with journalists and bloggers

Keep tabs on the latest developments in your industry

Be creative!

Of course, not everybody has time to go exploring every nook and cranny of LinkedIn. If you'd rather stick to the basics, check out these basic steps to help you navigate LinkedIn:

Signing into LinkedIn

Posting updates

Searching profiles

Following companies

Joining groups

Updating your own profile

Using LinkedIn professionally

These aren't rules, mind you. There isn't one perfect way to use LinkedIn. The only rule is that whatever works for you will lead to positive results. That said, we hope that following these simple guidelines will give you a good starting point for building a successful profile on LinkedIn.

So now that everyone knows what LinkedIn does, let's move onto the next question: Do people actually use LinkedIn?

Do people actually use LinkedIn?

It depends on whom you ask. According to LinkedIn statistics, roughly 2 billion active members worldwide currently actively use the platform. Of those, 85 percent are employed full-time, and 95 percent report having made contact with another member within the last six months. Not bad numbers for an online service.

But how many people really use the "social networking" part of LinkedIn? Let's put it this way: the answer is almost certainly none. Even so, it doesn't mean that nobody ever touches LinkedIn. Some people may simply browse the site without logging in, making occasional comments, or checking out company pages. Others may try to gain visibility for their personal brands, which means creating accounts and updating them regularly. Finally, some people may be trying to establish themselves as thought leaders. In short, LinkedIn is still very much alive, despite being widely considered dead by outsiders.

As far as whether or not people use LinkedIn to network, research suggests otherwise. A recent study published by the University of North Carolina found that fewer than 5 percent of employees reported using LinkedIn to communicate with current or former employers. Meanwhile, more than 80 percent of respondents said that they had either never heard of LinkedIn or hadn't used it in the past year.

The same goes for students. While nearly half of undergraduates surveyed say they're aware of the platform, less than 10% claim to have used it in the last 12 months. Perhaps unsurprisingly, graduates were more likely to use LinkedIn, with close to 30% claiming to log in once per month.

Finally, LinkedIn seems to have fallen out of favor among millennials. Only 20% of 18-29-year olds use the website compared to 40% of 50+ age groupers.

What is the real purpose of LinkedIn?

Now you understand how and why people use LinkedIn, you're ready to delve deeper into the platform itself. So what kind of stuff will you find there? For starters, you can join groups dedicated to specific fields, such as photography, finance, marketing, and education. These allow members to discuss issues related to their areas of interest.

You can also search for people based on your qualifications and experience, and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, Pinterest, and Flickr. This gives you access to their public profiles, allowing you to learn more about them and potentially collaborate with them.

Other features include sending messages, uploading documents, adding tags, tagging people, liking/disliking content, replying to discussions, and searching for people and jobs.

How do I use LinkedIn?

At this stage, you should have enough information to figure out how to use LinkedIn. All you need to do now is sign up for an account and begin exploring the platform. To get started, head over to the homepage and click Join Now. Once you're logged in, you can explore the rest of the site.

Here are some helpful guides to help you along the way:

How to Use LinkedIn Like a Pro [Broken URL Removed]

How to Find Jobs Using LinkedIn [Broken URL Removed]

Use LinkedIn Effectively As A Student

Use LinkedIn Effectively As An Employee

Use LinkedIn Effectively As A Business Owner

Use LinkedIn Effectively As A Brand Marketer

How to Create Professional Profiles on LinkedIn

How to Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

In addition to learning about LinkedIn, remember that you can always read up on any topic of your choice by clicking on the Search tab above the Profile section of the page. Just type in keywords relevant to your interests, and you'll land on the right article.

Once you've explored the site thoroughly, you can start connecting with people in your area, adding value to both parties by commenting on each other's profiles. Remember that LinkedIn is primarily meant for communication between individuals, not companies, organizations, or businesses. However, you can easily add your employer, organization, school, or department to your list of connections, so long as you have permission to do so.

And that's pretty much it. If you haven't already done so, it's worth signing up for LinkedIn Premium ($3 monthly / $30 annually) so that you can download the mobile app and receive push notifications whenever someone mentions you on the web.

This should provide you with everything you need to succeed on LinkedIn. Whether you choose to pursue a career path that involves LinkedIn, or merely maintain your existing presence, it's important to note that you shouldn't expect too much.

For example, while there are several million people registered on LinkedIn, only 100,000 are actively connected to other members. Plus, according to a 2016 survey conducted by Linkedin, only 4% of US adults use LinkedIn daily. On the bright side, however, these figures suggest that the majority of us still find LinkedIn valuable enough to use occasionally.

That's why it's essential to focus on quality instead of quantity. After all, the more time you spend posting status updates, answering questions, and engaging with followers, the more visible your profile becomes, and the more opportunities you open up to you.

Want to know more about LinkedIn? Check out these beginner's guides to using LinkedIn, discover how to set up automatic replies to emails sent via LinkedIn, learn how to use LinkedIn ads, and find out how to make money with LinkedIn.

LinkedIn has become one of the most popular online professional networks across the globe, with over 400 million users that have created more than 1 billion profiles since 2011 alone. 

The site offers an extensive library of features designed specifically for professionals looking to expand their network or connect with potential employers, clients, customers, and colleagues. It’s also a useful tool if you want to manage your career by keeping up-to-date with industry news, trends, and happenings – which can be extremely beneficial when applying for jobs.

However, despite being so widely used, many people still struggle with getting started, using it properly, promoting themselves, and building relationships within its vast community. If this sounds like you, we’ve put together some helpful advice below that will help you set yourself apart from others, boost your visibility, improve your chances of landing a dream role, and ultimately achieve greater levels of personal and professional satisfaction.

So what are the benefits of having a LinkedIn account?

If you're not sure whether it's time to sign up for a LinkedIn account, take a look at these reasons why you should consider doing so instead.

First off, the platform is completely free to register for (although there are ways to upgrade later), which makes it easier to access and explore without worrying about spending money unnecessarily. 

Second, thanks to millions of members who already use the service, you'll likely come into contact with other professionals looking to meet new friends, work alongside them, learn from them, and potentially even collaborate on a project. This means you could discover amazing opportunities and gain valuable insight from those around you - something that would otherwise require months of networking.

Thirdly, LinkedIn provides easy access to all sorts of information that might otherwise prove difficult to track down elsewhere. You can search through the company profiles of individuals, managers, boards, and companies, plus check out relevant articles published by experts in your field. The data available includes details such as employment history, education background, experience, skills, qualifications, awards won, and much more.

Finally, connecting with fellow professionals via LinkedIn gives you a chance to stay connected long after you decide to leave your current position. Once someone accepts your request to connect, you can send each other messages and update your mutual statuses anytime throughout the day. Plus, you can follow each other too, meaning you never miss any important updates, announcements, or events going on in your respective communities.

Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to keep your LinkedIn profile updated and active, including:

Creating a compelling headline & summary

Connecting with old classmates and colleagues

Finding a fantastic mentor

Getting involved in local groups

Boosting your own CV

Improving your digital footprint

Making the most of LinkedIn Groups

But before we delve further into everything else it entails, let's first talk about whether it's actually worthwhile signing up for a LinkedIn account.

Is it worth creating a LinkedIn account?

As mentioned earlier, the main reason to invest hours into setting up a LinkedIn profile is because of the massive amount of activity that goes on inside its walls. However, while it may seem like a lot of effort initially, once you start making genuine connections you’ll quickly realize just how powerful this resource really is.

For starters, when someone connects with you, they usually provide a link back to your profile. After clicking through, potential employers, recruiters, and future co-workers often visit multiple times during the week simply to see what new things you've posted, read your latest status updates, and view your recent photo uploads.

It doesn't matter where you currently live or what sort of profession you hold, you can always expect to receive numerous invitations to attend events, meetings, conferences, and seminars held by businesses based locally, nationally, and internationally. These types of opportunities only appear on your radar screen when you’re actively seeking out new contacts, so don’t ignore them!

Additionally, just like Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn allows you to share links and videos directly within posts. And depending on the type of post, you might end up receiving thousands of views from curious onlookers. In fact, according to LinkedIn stats, the average number of pageviews per month was close to 2.5 million last year alone.

While you shouldn’t spend hours updating your LinkedIn profile every single day, taking the occasional break between updates is fine if you need a breather. But remember, you can always return to complete your profile whenever you wish – although sometimes you might feel compelled to finish it sooner rather than later.

With so many perks to offer, it wouldn’t be surprising if you decided to jump right in and start creating your very own profile today. Just know that it takes patience and persistence to reap the rewards of a well-maintained LinkedIn profile.

How do I get connections on LinkedIn for beginners?

After creating a profile and filling it with meaningful info, one of the next steps you must take is to reach out to other professionals in your area and ask them to accept your connection request. By reaching out to hundreds of people at once, you increase the likelihood of finding someone willing to add you as a friend.

To begin, go to ‘Settings' then 'Privacy Settings', click on ‘Edit Privacy Preferences’, scroll down until you hit ‘People Search Results’, and select ‘Only Connected People Can See My Profile'. Then click ‘Save Changes' at the bottom of the window to save your changes. Now, head back to the home page and click on the ‘Find Friends' button located at the top left corner of the screen. Here, enter the name(s) of the person(s) you'd like to invite to connect with you. When prompted, choose whether you'd like to invite everyone or just specific categories of people (e.g., family, coworkers).

Now, wait for the invitation email to arrive in your inbox. Click ‘Accept Invitation' and fill out the required fields with all of the necessary information. Make sure to include your full name and position along with the location where you work. Finally, click ‘Send Request' and enjoy watching your connections grow exponentially.

Once you’ve successfully invited several people, your next step is to message them individually and encourage them to reciprocate. For example, say you’d like to connect with Jane Doe, but she hasn’t accepted your initial invitation yet. To ensure your message gets delivered correctly, start typing her name followed by a comma, and then input: "Hi [Jane Doe], hope you're good." Don’t forget to include your name and title, too.

And finally, don’t worry if your connection asks you to verify his/her identity. All you need to do is click on ‘Verify Contact Info’. On the resulting confirmation page, simply confirm your information matches the provided credentials. Doing so ensures both parties will remain protected when communicating privately.

Can I join LinkedIn for free?

Unfortunately, LinkedIn does charge monthly fees for premium accounts, starting at $29.99 USD / £19.99 GBP / €24.95 EURO per month. While this isn't necessarily bad considering the level of services offered, it's essential to understand that joining is entirely optional.

In addition, the majority of the activities discussed above aren't restricted to paid memberships either. What matters most here is that you continue posting interesting, engaging content regularly and consistently maintain a high quality presence on the web. As far as LinkedIn is concerned, this is enough to warrant membership privileges regardless of whether you pay annually or on a daily basis.

Furthermore, if you do intend to subscribe to LinkedIn Premium, it's best to avoid paying upfront. Instead, try negotiating a payment plan to spread the cost out over six months, 12 months, 24 months, etc. This way, you can pay the lowest possible price and still secure access to all of the valuable resources, tools, and services LinkedIn offers.

Also note that you can cancel your subscription at any point. Simply log into your account settings and click on ‘My Subscriptions'. From here, tap on the desired option and proceed to cancel. If you ever change your mind again, you can easily reactivate your subscription at no additional cost.

Lastly, if you’re unable to afford a premium account, don’t fret. There are plenty of alternatives available to suit different budgets. One thing to bear in mind though is that you’ll lose out on certain advanced features, such as custom backgrounds and avatars, and the ability to embed videos and images into your blog posts.

LinkedIn has over 347 million users worldwide – that’s more than double Facebook's user base at its peak. 

It can be difficult to figure out what you need to do next when using LinkedIn professionally or personally. Here we have outlined some of the best ways to use LinkedIn for both personal development and professional advancement.

If you want to know what it takes to succeed on LinkedIn then check out these essential skills every successful recruiter needs to master.

How do I post on LinkedIn 2022?

To post on LinkedIn, click ‘Post’ from the top menu bar, followed by 'Create Content'. This will take you to an editing window where you are able to edit text, add images, record videos, draw diagrams, and insert links. You'll also see various buttons such as 'Reactions' (which allow people to like, dislike, share, or comment on your posts), and 'Keyword Suggestions', which allows you to search for relevant keywords.

You can also choose to enable location-based sharing so that only those who live near you can view your updates. 

How do I create a post on LinkedIn?

As well as posting directly after creating a page, you can also send messages to specific groups within LinkedIn. To do this, select the group you would like to message, then scroll down until you reach the bottom of the screen. From here, you will see a blue circle with three dots underneath. Clicking this will open up a dropdown list containing all members of the selected group. Select one of them, type your message, and press Send!

The other way to write a post is via email. If you don't feel comfortable writing a full blog article, you could try writing a short update, adding a link to your website/blog, or even just a photo. It might seem daunting to start off writing but once you've done it a couple of times, you won't look back.

In addition to sending emails, you can also upload files to your account through the attachment option available under the 'More' tab. These include documents, photos, music, movies, presentations, and webpages. You can download attachments onto your computer before uploading them, making them easier to work with.

What should I post on LinkedIn to get noticed?

There are many things to consider if you're looking to gain followers on LinkedIn:

Is it really worth following me? The answer depends on whether you are targeting recruiters specifically or not. However, there is no harm in having a few hundred connections and followers, especially if they are industry leaders who may help you further your career.  

How often should I post? There isn't any hard rule saying that you must post daily. If you are comfortable with doing so, go ahead and post whenever you please. But remember that quality always beats quantity, so aim to publish meaningful articles rather than just throwing something together.  

What kind of information am I supposed to put into my profile? Your personal details are important, but don't forget about your company too. Make sure you fill in everything correctly, including your name, address, phone number, website URL, and e-mail address. Also give a brief description of yourself and your role. 

Where is the post button on LinkedIn? When you first sign up for LinkedIn you will receive an invitation to connect with friends and colleagues. Once accepted, you will be taken straight to the home page. On the left hand side, you will find a small square icon called Post. Simply click on this to begin composing your message.

How to use LinkedIn to get a job 2022

LinkedIn is used by millions around the world to network with potential employers and find jobs. Whether you are currently employed or unemployed, LinkedIn offers endless opportunities to improve your chances of finding employment.

Here are six steps to follow if you'd like to learn how to use LinkedIn to land your dream job:

1. Start building your own online presence. In order to stand out from others, you need to establish yourself as someone who knows their stuff. This means getting involved in communities related to your field, joining discussion boards, participating in Q&A sessions, and contributing useful articles. Doing so makes you appear knowledgeable and trustworthy.

2. Create a compelling headline. A good headline tells prospective clients why they should hire you. Don't simply copy and paste your resume - come up with original ideas to highlight the main points of your experience. For example, if you worked at Microsoft during college, mention that you were part of a team responsible for developing Windows 10. Or talk about the time you helped resolve a major data breach at a large organization.

3. Craft engaging elevator pitches. An elevator pitch is a quick summary of your qualifications and achievements designed to impress hiring managers. Include key words from your CV and explain why someone would benefit from working with you. Keep it succinct (no longer than two minutes) and stick to the point.

4. Add value to existing relationships. People love to support each other, so make sure you stay connected with past acquaintances and former co-workers. Mention their names, provide testimonials, and offer to contribute to projects they run. If you haven't kept in touch recently, let them know that you still care about them and would appreciate being included when appropriate.

5. Showcase your strengths and accomplishments. Employers tend to prefer candidates who demonstrate initiative and professionalism. So, keep track of noteworthy activities and events throughout your career and showcase them prominently on your LinkedIn profile.

6. Build credibility and reputation. Take the time to develop a diverse portfolio of written works and digital assets by publishing informative blogs, guest blogging for reputable websites, and publishing high-quality articles on popular platforms.

How to use LinkedIn as a student

Whether you are studying for exams or preparing for interviews, LinkedIn is a valuable tool for anyone seeking a career change or relocating to another country. With hundreds of thousands of students across the globe already using LinkedIn, you can join the conversation and show that you belong.

Follow these simple steps to become a better influencer on LinkedIn:

1. Get familiar with the platform. Before starting to use LinkedIn, it helps to understand its purpose. As a student, you should focus on networking and staying active in your chosen community. Try to attend local meetups and conferences and participate in discussions relating to your area of study.

2. Join academic societies. Joining a society gives you access to exclusive networks, resources, and events. Some universities offer official membership options while others encourage students to form their own clubs. Whatever route you decide to take, ensure you regularly interact with peers and experts in your field.

3. Use hashtags. Hashtags are keyword phrases that are assigned a special meaning. They serve as a searchable index allowing users to locate conversations related to particular topics. Follow trends and discuss issues that matter most to you.

4. Write interesting status updates. Status updates are a great opportunity to communicate your interests, passions, and goals. Be honest, authentic, and approachable. Share newsworthy stories, pictures, and videos. Stay positive and maintain a sense of humour.

How to use LinkedIn as a business

For businesses, LinkedIn provides an effective marketing channel. By connecting with customers, prospects, and partners, you can engage with individuals who hold influence in their respective industries.

Here are five easy steps to becoming successful on LinkedIn:

1. Find the right audience. First, identify the target demographic of your ideal customer. Then research competitors and determine where you fit in relation to them. Next, think carefully about your product offering and how it relates to the interests of your market. Finally, define a strategy that includes objectives, milestones, targets, metrics, and deadlines.

2. Identify influential accounts. Connect with companies whose products align with your business. Ask questions, read case studies, and seek advice from professionals. Engage in meaningful dialogue and exchange contact information.

3. Promote your offerings. Create eye-catching visuals, optimize your website, design attractive landing pages, and place ads on targeted sites. Consider paid advertising campaigns for maximum exposure.

4. Participate in LinkedIn Groups. Join topical forums and ask questions. Interact with fellow members, sharing knowledge and expertise. Encourage participation by commenting on posts and answering queries.

5. Update your profile. Your LinkedIn profile acts as a virtual brochure detailing your education, training, roles, awards, and certifications. Always ensure your bio highlights your core values and competencies. Fill in sections describing your experiences and responsibilities. Include links to additional profiles and recommendations from previous employers.

How to use LinkedIn as a hobbyist

Even though LinkedIn was originally created for business purposes, it now serves as a powerful tool for creative types, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists alike. Using the site to enhance your life outside the office can boost motivation levels, increase productivity, and cultivate creativity.

Below are four actionable steps you can take to maximize your enjoyment of LinkedIn: