Reasons to Use LinkedIn to Find your Next Job

Like some, you may be out of work and willing to take on any job. Or much the same as others, you could find yourself looking to make a change to a career that better suits your skills.

While traditional methods of searching for a job remain a viable option, it is important to consider the benefits of using the internet. More specifically, professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.

Even if you don’t yet have a LinkedIn profile, it only takes a couple hours to get up and running (even quicker if you have all your information handy).

Here are three reasons to use this service to find your next job:

1. The internet is a powerful place. There used to be a time when searching for a job meant calling connections on the phone and searching newspaper classifieds. You can still do both these things, but at some point you need to realize that the power of the internet can point you in the right direction.

2. Plenty of job postings. Don’t mistake LinkedIn for a service that only allows you to connect with other professionals. Many companies, big and small, post job openings. Best yet, applying is as simple as clicking a couple of buttons. Does it get any better than that? You may be surprised at how many positions you can apply for in a relatively short period of time.

3. Connect on a personal level. Let’s face it: when you mail a resume to a hiring manager you are not doing much to help your cause on a personal level, as your information is sure to be added to a pile along with many others. With LinkedIn, however, you can use your profile to prove to others that you have what it takes to bring value to their company. Furthermore, there are tools, such as groups, that allow you to better connect with those who may be looking for somebody just like you.

There is no guarantee that using LinkedIn will help you land a job. That being said, the more time you spend on the site the more connections you will make. There may come a point when you locate an opening that suits your skill set, allowing you to apply without delay and hopefully land an interview.