It is difficult to find a person who is not registered in any social network. Of course, today it is one of the most important components of constant communication with friends, acquaintances, and interest mates. However, for the most part, all this relates to social life, but what about professional life? After all, it is equally important to be aware of what is happening in your professional sphere, to communicate with colleagues, share knowledge and experience, and build up business ties. For someone it will be a real discovery that there is a network created specifically for these purposes. It is called LinkedIn. In Russia, few people know about it so far, but the one who knows does not quite understand how it can be useful. Therefore, in this article we will fill this gap and tell you what LinkedIn is, how to use it and why.
Why is LinkedIn needed?
Tell me, what are you doing to find your old friend or former classmate? Obviously, go to your account in one of the social networks - in Odnoklassniki, VKontakte or Facebook. And what do you think recruiters are doing in America (and many already in Europe) in order to find a good professional for a job in the company? No, they don’t go to job sites, but go directly to LinkedIn. Why? Because they know - there they can find the one they need, having received detailed information about him and recommendations guaranteeing the professionalism of the candidate. Do you want the work itself to look for you, and not you? Then you need a professional LinkedIn network - don't waste your time and sign up soon!
LinkedIn Code of Conduct
How does this resource work? Its meaning is to make professional contacts, gain experience and share knowledge with colleagues and, of course, find work. But not so simple. Let's go in order.
Creating and filling out a profile
The first thing you do is register and fill out your profile on the network. This is an analogue of a resume, but more detailed and useful. Try to fill it as fully as possible (not 20-30%, but 100%). What information needs to be provided? For starters, it would be nice to make the following information:
1. Full name and title of your specialization / profession.
2. Education, work experience , skills, courses. Write only about what is related to your professional activity: if you are a web designer, you should not mention sewing and sewing courses or the ability to sit on a twine.
3. Recommendations. This is a very important point that will help you confirm your professionalism (ask your colleagues or managers with whom you worked to write letters of recommendation to you ).
4. Background. This is a bit of a cover letter. Write here your aspirations and goals. Write down what you like about your profession and what development plans you have.
5. Contacts. And the more they will be, the better. This is mobile communications, and emails, and Skype.
6. Awards, certificates, tests and more. If you have any of this, do not forget to write about it.
All this information should be filled carefully and thoughtfully, because what is a LinkedIn profile? This is your professional person, which means that you need to treat him accordingly.
Professional activity: first steps
On filling out a resume profile, your work does not end, but only begins. Now you need to get the first contacts. Add your friends, colleagues. One day, one of them can help you get to know the right person. Join the professional interest groups, the maximum number is 50 (it is better to use the entire allowed maximum). What to do in groups? To gain new knowledge, follow the development and news in their field of activity, acquire new useful contacts.
Speaking of skills. Go to the pages of your colleagues and put confirmations on their skills, they will answer you the same. This will make them more significant, because other people have confirmed them.
Building professional relationships and communication
Now you need to actively build up your contacts and make yourself known. What is LinkedIn? This is the place to find a professional. Recruiters place interesting vacancies here, and also independently search for candidates, looking through groups and evaluating participants. That is why it is very important to be active - not to neglect participation in discussions, give advice and answer questions on forums (of course, if you know the answer for sure). It will make you visible. Believe me, soon you will begin to receive job offers that you will not have time to brush off (or maybe you will find your dream job in this way).
In addition, add to your contacts the heads and managers of the companies that you are interested in, recruiters and specialists working in your professional field. The more connections you have, the faster they will grow, the more chances there will be to find interesting offers, to develop your career.
Contacts: careful selection
However, be selective in contacts - add people who connect you with professional and business interests, colleagues and just useful personalities. But a neighbor on the landing, for example, or a familiar vacation in Turkey should not be added. This can sometimes not be in your favor. If you already have someone objectionable in the list of trade links, it will be useful for you to know how to delete a contact on LinkedIn. It is easy to do this: in the "Network" menu, select "Address Book", in the "Contacts" tab, find the "Delete contacts" link, select the people you want to delete, then click on the appropriate button. Those users who have been excluded from your contact list will be notified.
LinkedIn is an important step in your career path
Even if at the moment you are not looking for a job, regularly update information about your professional experience, acquired skills, keep in touch. Once, when you want to change jobs, doing it is not difficult.
In Russia, this resource is not yet very popular. Few people know what LinkedIn is. Reviews about this professional network are different, and all because people do not understand its importance and benefits for their professional development. However, there is no doubt that there is a benefit. Just think - to date, more than 200 million users are registered in it, of which about half are in America. The network is popular in Europe and even in India. Therefore, if you plan to build a career abroad in the future, you need to register on LinkedIn - and the sooner the better.
Deleting a LinkedIn Account: Instructions
Despite the fact that this professional social network is very useful, there may be reasons why you want to delete your account. Well, this is the case and the right of everyone. If you have made this decision, then read how to retire from LinkedIn. Here is a step-by-step instruction:
1. Go to your profile and click on the button with your name located in the upper right corner.
2. A drop-down list will open , in which you need to select the "Settings" item. Under the "Account" tab, you will see the "Delete account" item.
3. Follow it and select the reason why you want to leave the network.
4. Confirm your account information by clicking "Account Verification."
5. On the next page, perform the final action - click "Delete account". It will be closed within 72 hours.
It's so easy to delete your profile in a professional network, not just open and fill it out. If you already have a large network of contacts, and you were an active user, a member of groups, then think well before saying goodbye to LinkedIn. The reviews of many professionals and recruiters say that this resource, sooner or later, can be very useful for everyone. Therefore, if you have not yet felt the usefulness of the network, do not abandon its capabilities. Surely the case will turn up when it helps you to advance through the ranks or make useful contacts.
Based on everything that we told what is LinkedIn in a nutshell? This is VKontakte, not just for friendship, but for professional communication and growth.