Week 2

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social networking tool with a difference. This tool is used solely for business or professional uses. LinkedIn allows you to create an online profile with your professional attributes, similar to an online resume or CV. Dissimilar to a regular resume or job application, you can become more detailed and task specific with your descriptions of your professional experience. You also have the capacity to connect to other people and create a "network" of contacts. Similar to networking in person, this is where you can connect with former and current colleagues, contacts within your industry, as well as joining groups of interest to you professionally. Connecting with previous employers and colleagues allows you to utilise the "Recommendation" functionality of LinkedIn. Here other professionals can register their recommendation for your employment skills and reputation.

LinkedIn also has a job search capacity. Here you can search for jobs in your industry and your local area. Some studies show that more employers are using LinkedIn as a primary source of recruitment.

Resources


This video is a bit on the boring side, but has a clear instruction for setting up your profile on LinkedIn.
And check out LinkedIn for Dummies

Activity

Join LinkedIn and tweet about your findings. Do you think you'll utilise this tool professionally? Did you complete your profile to 100% capacity? What are the benefits of using a tool like LinkedIn?