The new LinkedIn has rolled out and people are starting to take notice. The folks who used to log on once a month to click “like” on their colleagues’ work anniversaries and send happy birthday messages are now posting original content – TO LINKEDIN. LinkedIn is full of stories. It’s a place where you can connect to people in the professional world who care about the same things you care about. It’s where you can build your community. So what changed?
The new LinkedIn has rolled out some new stuff. You can now see who’s online to chat when you open the app. Messaging is more like Facebook messenger, which can be easier to use for many folks. There’s native video with filters. Your profile page looks different too, and if you haven’t updated your cover image you need to do that ASAP.
Since 2011 LinkedIn has grown from 140 million users to 500 million users, 9 million companies, 10 million job listings, and 100,000 new articles a week. Only about a third of online adults are currently using LinkedIn in the United States, and since 20,000 American companies are actively using the platform to recruit job candidates now is the perfect time to join if you haven’t already. Most people on LinkedIn are college grads and many of them are already high earners.
If you are only logging on to update your resume twice a year you need to rethink your LinkedIn strategy. Update your profile with a new picture and cover image. Start posting your story. Tell people about your professional journey. What do you struggle with? Ask for help. Offer your help to others. Work on your personal brand. Start building your community.
The new LinkedIn can’t work for you if you aren’t using it properly. Learn more about the new LinkedIn by the numbers from this infographic!
Image source: Number Sleuth