The career-boosting benefits of LinkedIn

Do you regularly use LinkedIn? If not you could be missing out.

Think of LinkedIn as the Facebook of the business world, a powerful platform built to create and grow professional connections.

Used effectively, it can help you expand your network, build your personal brand, and uncover career opportunities you might not find elsewhere.

So, what are the benefits of LinkedIn, and what is the best way to use LinkedIn?

Helps you network

LinkedIn is a valuable platform for connecting with people you currently work with—and for rekindling relationships with former colleagues.

You can also join LinkedIn groups to connect with professionals who share your interests, even if you’ve never met them in person

Used by recruiters

For many recruiters, LinkedIn is their go-to platform when looking for prospective candidates. Studies suggest that up to 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates—even those not actively seeking work.

Allows you to leverage your connections

If you are seeking work at a particular company, type the company’s name into the search bar of your LinkedIn account. You’ll see profiles of employees and whether you have any mutual connections. From here, you could ask your mutual connection if they would introduce you to that person.

Helps you develop your personal brand

In today’s digital world, having an online presence is more important than ever. LinkedIn allows you to present yourself to the world in the way that you choose. You can do this by sharing content, such as a portfolio of your work. You can also highlight key achievements on your profile.

Helps you discover new opportunities

Many companies will post available job opportunities on LinkedIn. LinkedIn can also be a useful platform to find out about networking events in your industry.

Allows you to research companies

Before you apply for a job at a company, LinkedIn offers a platform to research it. What are its vision and mission, and do these align with yours? What type of employees is the company looking for, and do your skills match this?

Helps establish you as knowledgeable

LinkedIn allows you to write and share articles, which can help enhance your credibility with other users.
You can also contribute to discussions by commenting on posts.

When listing skills on your profile, you can ask those in your network to validate them.

Tips for How to use LinkedIn

• Don’t use it in isolation: Where possible, supplement your LinkedIn relationships offline as well.
• Be sure to post: There’s no point amassing LinkedIn followers if you never post anything. When creating posts, try to incorporate images, videos or infographics as these will capture user attention
• Engage with others: Comment on other users’ posts, even if it is simply to agree with what they say. By engaging with other accounts, you will encourage them to view your profile or connect with you.
• Be consistent: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and the information provided is consistent with your resume and other social media profiles. Having an incomplete or out-of-date profile could give potential employers a bad impression.
• Include a profile photo: Your profile photo should be a headshot or portrait, with minimal distractions in the background. Having a photo makes your account look professional and allows contacts to easily identify you if they meet you in person.

LinkedIn can provide many benefits. However, it is essential it is used correctly to maximise these benefits.
Selection Criteria Writers can help you to optimise your LinkedIn profile. We are pleased to offer LinkedIn profile writing.

Article References

Flexjobs (17 June 2024) ‘Why Use LinkedIn? Here Are 7 Benefits’, Flexjobs, accessed 16 June 2025.

Public Service Resumes (n.d) ‘Maximising the benefits of LinkedIn: How to use LinkedIn to your networking advantage.’, Public Service Resumes, accessed 16 June 2025.

Public Service Resumes (n.d) ‘Maximising your prospects: LinkedIn as a tool to reach your career potential’, Public Service Resumes, accessed 16 June 2025.