Is it OK to not have LinkedIn?

As a young adult I was required by my university to complete a compulsory "personal development" class which included creating a LinkedIn profile. I thought that this would be an easy task and in hindsight, perhaps I am one of those people who think they know everything about something just because they've done it once or twice. However, now looking back at all the things I learned during that class - particularly when it came to professional networking - I can see how much more value there could be in taking time out to actually learn what's going on around us rather than simply relying on technology (and our own personal experiences) for answers.

It seems like every day there's another article telling us that LinkedIn has become obsolete, but are these articles really based on fact, or are they simply designed to scare off potential users? After all, if everyone stopped using LinkedIn then wouldn't that make it useless? Or is it possible that some of these reasons might not apply to certain groups of professionals?

If you're currently without a LinkedIn profile, here's what you may want to consider before deciding whether it's right for you.

Is LinkedIn becoming outdated?

 I'm sure most of us have seen the headlines saying that LinkedIn is dead, but let's face it, no company ever dies overnight. When social media sites die (remember MySpace?) they often come crawling back stronger than ever. So while I'd agree that LinkedIn isn't quite as relevant as it once was, I don't believe that it will disappear any time soon either. If anything, its popularity continues to grow year after year.

For example, according to Statista, over 3 million new accounts were created last month alone! That's a huge increase from last November when only 1,867,000 accounts were registered. The average age of someone signing up to LinkedIn also appears to be increasing too... the median age of people registering their profiles increased from 28 years old in 2016 to 30 years old in 2019. In terms of gender distribution, women remain significantly underrepresented compared to men, with 53% of LinkedIn members being male.

The same goes for employers. According to Payscale's report into US salaries, 71% of employees said that companies' websites play an important role in hiring decisions. This figure includes both full-time and freelance workers. With so many businesses listing themselves online, surely LinkedIn must continue to be relevant?

So, yes, it's true that LinkedIn is changing quickly and evolving in ways that weren't expected - however, it doesn't mean that it's completely irrelevant. It's likely that you'll find yourself using LinkedIn again down the line anyway, especially if you plan on getting a second degree or switching careers. Perhaps it's best to wait until you feel comfortable using it before jumping in head first though, otherwise you run the risk of feeling overwhelmed with the amount of content available.

Is LinkedIn used anymore?

 When I started working professionally, I didn't bother setting up a LinkedIn profile, mainly due to the fact that I hadn't yet found anyone else using it within my industry. But once I began receiving messages asking for introductions via email, I realised that LinkedIn did indeed still have a place in today's world. For starters, it serves as a fantastic way to keep track of contacts and stay connected with colleagues across different industries. Also, unlike Facebook, LinkedIn allows you to set up multiple pages/profiles for each type of business activity you partake in.

There are plenty of other good uses for LinkedIn too. You can:

Search through millions of jobs posted by employers worldwide.

Find out the latest news related to your particular field.

Connect with influencers within your industry.

Share links to blogs and publications written by experts in your field.

Receive updates regarding events happening near you.

Keep tabs on competitors in case you wish to enter the market later.

In short, LinkedIn is great for keeping in touch with friends and family, finding work opportunities, learning about trends in your sector, staying updated with current affairs and connecting with industry leaders. There are countless benefits to using the site, and none of them seem to have disappeared anytime recently.

Is LinkedIn still valuable?

 This question gets asked pretty regularly and is probably the biggest reason why people decide against joining LinkedIn. On one hand, there's always been lots of debate surrounding the validity of LinkedIn's value proposition. Some claim that the service has lost its relevance since it became big tech (i.e. Facebook), whilst others argue that it still remains essential. And if nothing else, the sheer number of connections on LinkedIn gives it value beyond compare.

However, although LinkedIn offers free access to basic features such as searching for jobs, sending emails and posting status updates, there are several paid options available including Premium subscriptions, targeted advertising campaigns, customised newsletters and video creation services. All of these add-ons allow you to gain deeper insights into specific aspects of your network, allowing you to tailor the experience to suit your needs.

LinkedIn Plus ($5 per user / month) provides additional search functionality, advanced analytics tools and enhanced reporting capabilities. Meanwhile Business Pro ($20 per user / month) enables you to connect with clients, receive personalized recommendations and see detailed statistics about your connections. These packages aren't cheap, but they certainly give you more bang for your buck.

Finally, there are numerous third party apps available that help you further enhance your LinkedIn experience. For example, you can download the following apps:

Biz2day – Allows you to share information with prospects and leads

Klout – Helps you generate interest in your brand

Pulse – Gives you insight into your followers’ behaviour

Rapportive – Shows you who contacted whom

Scoopler – Adds instant messaging functions to LinkedIn

Slidely – Lets you easily embed presentations onto your LinkedIn posts

Tailwind – Automatically creates beautiful reports from your data

These apps are a few examples of how you can take advantage of the features LinkedIn already offers, giving you far more control over the platform than previously anticipated.

Although LinkedIn is undoubtedly growing slower than it once did, it certainly hasn't ceased existing entirely. Whether you choose to join or not, it won't go away any time soon.

Is LinkedIn still useful in 2022?

 One thing I love about LinkedIn is that it keeps evolving. As mentioned above, LinkedIn has added lots of handy extra features and apps over the past couple of years. They're constantly adding new ones too, meaning that you never stop discovering new ways to improve your overall experience.

Another interesting fact is that LinkedIn has begun testing a feature called 'LNKD', which stands for Linkedin Knowledge Discovery. Essentially, LNKD is supposed to be able to analyse your entire LinkedIn database and provide you with suggestions based on keywords that match your interests. As it turns out, the results are surprisingly accurate. Not only that, but LinkedIn claims that once LNKD becomes fully operational, it will enable you to answer questions posed directly to you, saving you the hassle of trawling through endless blog posts.

Whether or not this takes off, I imagine that LinkedIn's future looks bright. Despite losing some momentum over the past two decades, it definitely hasn't died out yet.

While you might not immediately jump onboard with LinkedIn, I hope that this article helps you realise that it is absolutely worthwhile for you to check it out. Even if you decide that it's not for you, it's at least worth considering that maybe you just haven't tried it out properly yet.

When I was at school, I remember our lecturer telling us that there were certain skills or qualifications which might be required by employers and others that they would prefer to see from candidates - but he didn't specify what those latter ones actually were. The implication was then that because we'd been taught about each of these things during our careers preparation classes, we could expect them to come up again when interviewing people for new positions.

The implication being that while some companies might want to know whether you're good at Microsoft Excel (or something similar), others will just want to make sure you can write decent English! It's one thing to learn all this stuff, but quite another to put it into practice. And once you've got used to creating a professional online presence, it seems like an awful lot of effort to go back down the rabbit hole every time you apply for a job.

So here are five reasons to consider whether you really need to bother with LinkedIn, and how it could potentially ruin your chances of getting employed...

Can you get hired without a LinkedIn?

No, you cannot. If you've spent any amount of time reading articles about how to land a dream job, you'll probably already know that most major corporations now require their employees to sign up to LinkedIn before they can start work. This isn't something that has changed over the last few years - it's still common knowledge among recruiters and hiring managers alike.

That said, there are plenty of other places where you can find out more information about potential employers than the company's own website. There are also lots of ways in which a well-written CV can prove itself to be far more effective than a generic LinkedIn profile ever could. So it may very well be possible to get through unscathed without signing up for a LinkedIn account - but if you're seriously considering doing so anyway, it may be worth taking the plunge sooner rather than later.

If someone asks you "do you have a LinkedIn?", answer honestly. If you say yes, give them details about how often you update your page, and ask them if they'd mind checking it out. If they agree, great - keep it up regularly, add interesting content to your bio and ensure your connections list contains only relevant contacts who you feel comfortable sharing personal information with. But if they tell you no, and you think they mean that they wouldn't hire you regardless of whether you did have a LinkedIn profile, then maybe you shouldn't waste too much energy trying to convince them otherwise.

Is it OK not to have a LinkedIn profile?

It's perfectly acceptable to choose to ignore LinkedIn entirely, provided you aren't actively sabotaging yourself with fake profiles and spamming your network with links to dodgy websites selling false products. Just because everyone else uses it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to join, especially since many large businesses don't seem to care either way. You certainly won't miss out on anything important by ignoring it completely.

But if you're looking for work specifically within the tech industry and want to stand out from the crowd, then it's definitely worth joining. Not only is LinkedIn a useful tool for keeping track of current and past projects, but it's also a valuable resource for finding opportunities across industries outside of your usual field of expertise. In fact, it's such a powerful networking platform that many people believe it gives you an unfair advantage when competing against applicants who haven't signed up.

You might argue that it's better to spend your precious time writing killer CVs instead, but let's face it - a LinkedIn profile is free. It's easy enough to set up, and it takes less than ten minutes to complete. Plus, the benefits of having a strong social media presence outweigh whatever minor disadvantages there are. Sure, you could always avoid it altogether, but you'll end up missing out on a whole host of opportunities.

Is LinkedIn must for job?

LinkedIn is absolutely essential nowadays, although it's not always going to be true that the company you're working for requires you to connect with hundreds of strangers. For example, if you're just starting out in web development, it's likely you'll only need to build relationships with people you already know. On the other hand, if you're currently working full-time somewhere else and planning to change careers soon, connecting with former colleagues and peers can help you to identify suitable roles elsewhere.

There's simply no point in applying for a position unless you've done your research first. Even if you've managed to score an interview, it's unlikely the hiring manager is going to take you on immediately after seeing your credentials alone. They're going to want to meet you in person, and talk to you personally before giving you the green light to move forward. Your best bet is to prepare thoroughly beforehand by gathering contact information for anyone you know who works at the company you want to target, and making sure you have a portfolio ready to show off. Once you've secured a meeting with the right person, you'll be able to discuss your previous experiences and demonstrate exactly why you're perfect for the role.

As long as you're prepared ahead of time, you shouldn't need to worry about whether LinkedIn is necessary.

Is having a LinkedIn necessary?

While it's generally accepted that you should try to maintain a strong digital footprint wherever you possibly can, it's becoming increasingly clear that LinkedIn is different. Its reputation is slowly tarnishing due to its bad PR surrounding data breaches, people posting questionable content, and poor privacy settings. However, despite all that, it remains the world's largest professional network, boasting billions of members worldwide. As such, it's almost impossible to escape it completely.

Sure, you can opt out of various features and services, but you'll inevitably run into problems along the way. That's why it makes sense to stay connected with friends and family, plus a handful of trusted professionals. After all, it's easier to spot red flags when you know who you're talking to.

Plus, there's nothing wrong with building rapport with potential future co-workers. Everyone knows that the best way to impress a new boss is to establish a relationship before they arrive, so why not do the same thing with your old team mates? Having a genuine connection with someone at a place you're hoping to work means you'll have someone to turn to whenever you encounter issues, whereas if you don't have anybody yet, you'll struggle to gain access to resources needed to fix the problem quickly.

And if you do decide to delete your LinkedIn account, don't forget to follow @linkedinsucks on Twitter. We promise it's funny.

Don't forget that there's plenty of other sites available to help you manage your professional activities in addition to LinkedIn. These include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+. All of them allow you to share updates and engage with your followers, while also providing you with additional platforms to showcase your talents and experience.

Are you happy with LinkedIn? Did you quit using it recently? Share your thoughts below!

I've always been ambivalent about LinkedIn. I'm sure many of us are -- so much time and effort has gone into building our profiles that it's hard for anyone who doesn't already spend all day every day looking at them to avoid feeling like they're missing out. And yet there was something about my own experience when I first started working after graduating from college which made me feel uneasy about whether or not I needed one.

Having graduated in 2009, I didn't really start getting involved with networking until around 2011/12, but by then I'd already spent years carefully crafting my CV and cover letter (and updating it whenever I got a new position) to make myself look good online. Then I would go onto social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to promote myself, post any relevant articles I found, and generally network.  It was only later, after learning more about how these platforms worked, that I realised what an important tool LinkedIn actually could be.

But back in school, my university even had a mandatory career preparation course where we had to create a LinkedIn profile as part of the module passing criteria. While the course imbued me with useful skills such as writing persuasive introductions and being able to add pictures to my profile -- none of this came naturally! -- it also taught me that having a LinkedIn profile was "necessary" for most positions.

So while I can see its value now, I still never felt 100% comfortable signing up for it. For example, I know plenty of people whose careers were built thanks to their personal websites, blogs, and other online presence, but I just couldn't bring myself to put those efforts behind a generic-looking page on LinkedIn. It seemed too impersonal, somehow.

That said, I did eventually join because I knew it would help me find work, especially once I moved overseas. But that's pretty much it -- I rarely update, and I can't recall ever adding anyone else to my connections list over the last couple of years. So despite spending hundreds of hours making my profile perfect, it probably hasn't helped me gain anything more than a few extra followers here and there.

And while I know many successful business owners and entrepreneurs who swear by LinkedIn, I've noticed that it seems to be mainly used as a way to connect with potential clients rather than as a place to showcase yourself professionally. To give another example, I recently saw someone ask on Reddit whether or not it was worthwhile trying to apply for a job via LinkedIn instead of sending through a resume directly.

To answer his question, let's break down Is it important to have a LinkedIn?, Is it essential to have LinkedIn?, Do employers care if you don't have a LinkedIn?, and Why do some people not have LinkedIn?.

Is it important to have a LinkedIn?

If you want to land a high paying job, it's definitely going to benefit you to have a LinkedIn profile. The site makes it easy to show off your professional background, skill set, projects completed, and achievements to prospective employers, giving you a boost that might otherwise come across as 'unprofessional' or unqualified. Even better, companies will often pay recruiters to reach out to candidates based on information provided on their profiles -- so even if you aren't actively seeking a new role, it'll likely prove beneficial for your future prospects anyway.

As with everything, though, there are exceptions. In fact, you may well find that if you're employed full-time somewhere, LinkedIn isn't particularly helpful for finding freelance gigs anymore. This is partly due to the nature of freelancing itself, whereby you're essentially self-employed and therefore less reliant on traditional hiring practices. Instead, you usually rely on word-of-mouth recommendations and referrals to drum up interest in your services. That means you won't necessarily require a LinkedIn profile unless you're specifically targeting agencies and contractors as opposed to individual clients.

In addition, if you've taken the time to build up your reputation offline (through blogging, speaking at events, etc), you might find that your online reputation trumps your actual credentials. After all, nobody wants to hire a candidate who says he's brilliant but looks like a total slob online.

Finally, depending on the kind of industry you're in, LinkedIn might simply be unnecessary. If you run a small company, for instance, you'll almost certainly have enough customers and contacts within your community without needing to bother with a public website or social media accounts. Similarly, if you're running a startup and you don't plan to grow beyond a certain point, you might prefer to focus your energy elsewhere.

Is it essential to have LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a fantastic resource for professionals in nearly every field. As the largest and oldest business platform on the internet, it acts as a central hub for connecting businesses to each other, potential employees, and investors alike. By joining, you'll quickly discover that there's no shortage of opportunities available.

Plus, if you take advantage of the various features offered by the site, including Groups, Jobs, Contacts, Events, Ads, Applications, and Blogs, you'll soon realise that there's plenty of ways to generate revenue outside of paid advertising. You can easily share your knowledge with others, host meetups and conferences, organise group travel, and much more. All in all, it's a great opportunity to expand your horizons and learn valuable lessons along the way.

Of course, if you're already an established entrepreneur, it's unlikely you'll need to sign up for LinkedIn. However, if you're just starting out, it can be invaluable for helping you navigate the world of entrepreneurship. Not only do you get access to a wealth of resources, but it gives you the chance to demonstrate leadership qualities such as teamwork, communication, and problem solving -- all of which are crucial in order to succeed in business today.

Do employers care if you don't have a LinkedIn?

When it comes to deciding whether or not you should join LinkedIn, the main concern for employers is whether or not you're qualified for the job. More importantly, they want to know whether or not you'll fit in with their team culture, both inside and outside of the workplace.

This is why it's vital that you tailor your LinkedIn profile appropriately. When creating your profile, think about things like keywords, titles, and descriptions that highlight your core strengths, interests, and areas of expertise. Remember that the best way to stand out from the crowd is to differentiate yourself from everyone else.

You can also ensure that your profile highlights key areas relating to your employment history, education, awards, certifications, and volunteerism. Don't forget to include links to previous blog posts and publications, and perhaps even mention that you're active on Twitter or Instagram. Finally, remember that you can edit your profile at any time before submitting it, which allows you to tweak the details to suit your needs.

With that said, however, you shouldn't worry too much if you're unable to provide proof of your qualifications. Many employers understand that not everybody has the same educational background, and if you haven't received formal training in a particular area, it's perfectly fine to say so. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you took classes or attended seminars, either. Just make sure to explain why you weren't formally trained.

On top of that, keep in mind that if you're currently unemployed, you might be more concerned about landing a job right away rather than proving your ability to perform. Indeed, some employers may be willing to overlook minor gaps in your education or training. They may also be interested in seeing evidence of your past experiences, regardless of whether or not they relate to your current line of work.

Ultimately, the decision to join or stay clear of LinkedIn depends entirely on the type of employer you're dealing with. If you're worried that you don't have the required qualifications, you should consider taking action sooner rather than later. On the other hand, if you're confident that you possess the necessary skills and abilities, you might decide to hold off. Either way, be wary of fake profiles -- it's very easy to spot these, and they can ruin your chances of securing a job altogether.

Why do some people not have LinkedIn?

There are several reasons why some individuals choose not to join LinkedIn. One common reason cited is that they feel uncomfortable sharing photos of themselves online, or fear their friends will end up stalking them. Another major issue relates to privacy concerns. Some users believe that LinkedIn collects data about them and shares it with third parties, potentially exposing sensitive information such as names of spouses, children, pets, and places of residence. Others argue that the service is expensive and takes up too much space on their devices, preventing them from accessing the rest of their applications.