What you might not know about LinkedIn in 2022

 LinkedIn was growing in the “before times” (pre-pandemic) and it’s more active than ever now. You probably have a profile. Maybe you log in occasionally, accept some network requests, scroll through the home section for a minute, and then log out. Or, maybe you’re like some of my clients are when they first start working with me and you have no idea what your password is!  

If you’re just starting out or entertaining the idea of getting into LinkedIn then this is for you:

How LinkedIn is different from other social media platforms:

No matter where you are on your LinkedIn journey, here’s what you need to know about the platform right now. It’s much better than it used to be! The platform was acquired by Microsoft in 2016 (for $26 Billion USD 🤯) and since then they’ve been investing in it heavily. Profiles are more dynamic and visual. Content is better and, similar to Instagram, now includes carousels, polls, native video, and live video. 

Speaking of Instagram, how is LinkedIn different from other platforms? Well, you saw that Dolly Parton meme so that should tell you everything you need to know! Just kidding, I’m a huge Dolly fan so I couldn’t resist.

Think of it this way: Instagram is where you go to be entertained and LinkedIn is where you go to learn about your profession, build your brand and network.

Something else you need to know is that the people who make decisions about who gets hired and how budgets get spent are on LinkedIn. This means your next boss or client is there waiting for you.

Recruiters are the biggest LinkedIn users

Recruiters spend hours on LinkedIn every day looking for “passive” candidates (people who aren’t actively looking for a new role). Not long after I took the time to fill out my profile with some intention, a recruiter messaged me on the platform and asked if I’d interview for a job. Not just any job, it was what I considered at the time to be my dream job. 

I realized then that when you add your most important experiences and position yourself for what’s possible for you, it attracts someone who’s looking for those things. I decided to turn down the opportunity because it was when I was about to launch AVRO Creative (and help you stand out in your career!).

The important thing to know here is that having a complete profile is crucial. It shows recruiters and potential employers that you log in regularly and will reply to their messages, and it makes you look like a polished professional. You might be happy with your job now, but that could change down the road. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a warm relationship with a recruiter or hiring manager in your field?

People are looking at your LinkedIn profile - even if you’re not

When someone googles your name (I repeat: WHEN they google your name), your profile is one of the first things they see on the first page of results. This is known as search engine optimization or SEO and businesses spend thousands of dollars per month trying to get results like what LinkedIn gives you for free. 

As you can see in the screenshot ↓↓ here, my LinkedIn profile is the third item that appears when you search my name. 

Before I go, I want to share that I was apprehensive about LinkedIn a few years ago (so trust me, I get it if you have reservations too!). But know this: I am now 100% converted. 

Spend some time on it and I’m confident you’ll be converted too. If you need some guidance, let me know!