LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. If you are not one of the 225 million active members on LinkedIn, you are missing out on an extremely crucial networking opportunity.

A  LinkedIn profile is a personal branding resource. It opens doors to job opportunities, clients, mentors and keeps you connected to thought-leaders in your industry. Here are three reasons why you can’t afford to miss out on LinkedIn.

People Research You

In this day and age, people can find out almost anything about you with just a few clicks. This means employers, competitors, clients or anyone who are important to your career will try to learn everything about you online. If you have a LinkedIn, your profile will show up in the top three hits on Google.

This is a great way to maintain a professional image, as your profile will likely be the first impression someone has of you. Become a LinkedIn pro as soon as possible because hiring managers of the future will rely mostly on social media tools to find ideal candidates.

LinkedIn is a Wealth of Resources

LinkedIn gives you unlimited access to an endless supply of crucial connections. You have the ability to connect with your own contacts, and see who else is connecting with your friends and employers. This provides insight into your network and will give you an advantage when you start the job search and try to reach employers and prospects.

LinkedIn also lets you stay up-to-date on competitor profiles. This way, you can see what they’re working on and compare experiences. The assets gained when you create a LinkedIn profile extend far beyond networking.

You Will Stay Current and Connected

LinkedIn allows you to easily update your profile to reflect new work experiences and information you would like to share with the professional world. Join groups to remain current on topics of interest and hear unfiltered thoughts from industry leaders.

Looking for a new job? Your LinkedIn profile lets you remain a constant candidate because employers can find you whether you have applied for a position or not. This makes the job hunting process a two- way street and allows for more chances to communicate with employers.

LinkedIn is the most efficient way to manage your personal brand network. It increases your visibility as well as credibility and allows you to create an accurate representation of who are you in the real world. 

Check out Garden Media’s LinkedIn for the latest industry news and updates.

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