This article is recommended for individuals at any stage of their careers
Introduction
LinkedIn is an important social networking platform that is primarily used by professionals for business and career-related purposes. It is designed to connect individuals, allowing them to create and manage their online identities, network, and seek job opportunities.
In today's competitive job market, having a well-optimised LinkedIn profile is more than just a trend - it's a strategic move that can significantly enhance your job-seeking journey.
As a recruiter at 11 Recruitment, I understand the value of LinkedIn for job seekers like you.
In this blog post, I'll delve into 12 reasons why you should have a LinkedIn profile. So, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, read on to discover how LinkedIn can be your secret weapon in landing your dream job.
6 reasons to embrace LinkedIn
Recruiters use LinkedIn to source talent
LinkedIn isn't just a platform for senior positions; it's a goldmine for all roles. Employers employ LinkedIn Recruiter to meticulously map out talent pools and connect with potential candidates. By being on LinkedIn, you open doors to opportunities you might have never considered.
For more information on this topic, read our blog post: Do recruiters look at social media?
Direct messaging & connection invitations
The ability to send and receive messages from recruiters can be a game-changer. It's not uncommon for employers to send you personalised job invites or connect with you for discussions about exciting openings. The power to engage with potential employers directly is in your hands.
For more information on this topic, read our blog post: How to get a job using LinkedIn.
Let jobs come to you
Imagine waking up to job offers in your inbox. With LinkedIn, this can be a reality. Recruiters can discover your profile, recognise your potential, and reach out to you with opportunities that align with your skills and aspirations.
Access exclusive job listings
Many employers prefer to list jobs exclusively on LinkedIn rather than traditional job boards. By having a LinkedIn profile, you gain access to a different pool of job listings that you might not find elsewhere.
Connect with hiring managers
LinkedIn allows you to connect with hiring managers directly, bypassing the sometimes unpredictable recruitment process. Reach out to the individuals responsible for recruitment as well as your future direct manager. You can ask questions, promote your unique skills, and even send your CV directly, reducing the risk of misinterpretation.
Target specific industries
Whether you're interested in steel, mining, or hairdressing, LinkedIn empowers you to target specific industries. You can approach potential employers directly and express your interest in their field.
6 more reasons to embrace LinkedIn
Professional networking
LinkedIn is a hub for professional networking. Join industry-specific groups, participate in discussions, and showcase your expertise. It's an ideal platform to build meaningful connections that can open doors to career opportunities.
For more information on this topic, read our blog post: How to network to get a job.
Online portfolio
LinkedIn acts as a digital portfolio that showcases your qualifications, skills, and achievements. It offers a comprehensive snapshot of your professional journey, making it easier for recruiters to evaluate your suitability for a role.
Personal branding
In a competitive job market, personal branding is crucial. LinkedIn allows you to create a professional image, share insights, and establish yourself as an industry expert.
For more information on this topic, read our blog post: How to build a personal brand on LinkedIn.
Research potential employers
Before applying to a company, research its culture, values, and employee testimonials on LinkedIn. This insight can help you determine if a company aligns with your career goals and values.
Skill endorsements & recommendations
Your LinkedIn connections can endorse your skills and write recommendations, adding credibility to your profile. These endorsements can act as references that potential employers can trust.
3rd degree connections
LinkedIn provides the unique feature of allowing you to see up to the 3rd degree of people you are connected with. This means you can access profiles of friends of your connections, exponentially expanding your network.
By connecting with me on LinkedIn, you'll gain access to my extensive network of 25,000 connections, which, in turn, offers you visibility to a vast pool of professionals in Australia. But how does this work?
A quick calculation
To determine how many profiles will be visible to you on LinkedIn based on the number of connections an average person has, we need to consider a few factors...
Your 1st-degree connections
These are people you're directly connected with. In your case, this number is 25,000.
Your 2nd-degree connections
These are people who are connected to your 1st-degree connections but not directly connected to you. The number of 2nd-degree connections can be calculated by multiplying the number of 1st-degree connections by the average number of connections each of these people has. However, since we should subtract your direct connection to avoid double counting, the formula becomes: 2nd-degree connections = (Average number of connections - 1) × Your 1st-degree connections.
Your 3rd-degree connections
These are people who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections but not directly to you or your 1st-degree connections. The calculation becomes a bit more complicated because it's based on the connections of your 2nd-degree connections. The formula would be: 3rd-degree connections = (Average number of connections - 2) × Your 2nd-degree connections.
To simplify, let's make an assumption about the average number of connections a person has on LinkedIn. As of my January 2022, the average number of connections per LinkedIn user was not officially provided by LinkedIn. However, various sources suggest that many active LinkedIn users might have between 500 and 1000 connections. Let's use an average number of 500 for this calculation.
Given that:
Thus, based on this calculation and the assumption of 500 connections as the average, you could potentially see up to approximately 6.23 billion LinkedIn profiles through your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree connections.
However, it's important to note that this is a theoretical maximum. In reality, there will be significant overlap in connections, especially within the same geographical area or industry, so the actual number of unique profiles you can see will be much lower.
Here's a crucial perspective: While there are over 774 million LinkedIn users worldwide, in Australia, there are approximately 3.3 million LinkedIn profiles.
When you connect with me on LinkedIn, you gain access to a significant portion of this Australian LinkedIn community, which effectively means you're visible to nearly all professionals in the country.
This translates to approximately 98% of all LinkedIn profiles in Australia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a LinkedIn profile isn't just an option - it's a necessity for job seekers. It provides you with direct access to recruiters, the chance to discover exclusive job listings, and the power to showcase your unique skills and experience.
Moreover, by connecting with experienced recruiters like me, you can tap into a vast network of professionals and dramatically increase your chances of landing your dream job.
Don't miss out on this valuable resource; start building your LinkedIn profile today!
Are you looking for a job?
Now that you know what LinkedIn is and why it is important, you should take a moment to check our current vacancies page.
At 11 Recruitment, we have a range of white-collar temp and perm jobs available. We're always on the lookout for top talent to place with our clients, so we encourage you to apply for any positions that are of interest.
If none of our current vacancies are right for you, you should register for job alerts. Then we’ll be able to notify you when we receive a position that matches your profile.
What are your thoughts?
I'd love to have a conversation with you about this topic - please leave a comment below if you have any thoughts or opinions 🙂
Christian Madsen
Managing Director of 11 Recruitment