LinkedIn is ever evolving – perhaps to an even greater extent than other social platforms. As a user of the “platform for professionals”, you really need to be on top of changes and new features so that you can make the most out of everything is has to offer to you both as an individual as well as a business entity. Today, we explore latest news and some new features which will impact on LinkedIn company profile tips.
NEWS: LinkedIn bought by Microsoft
Perhaps the biggest thing to happen in the world of LinkedIn recently was its agreement to be purchased by Microsoft – for a staggering US$26.2 billion. The current LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner will remain in his position, directly reporting to Microsoft’s CEO.
The acquisition’s terms dictate that LinkedIn will maintain its independence, culture and branding, with the purchase anticipated to close later this year (2016). Essentially for users, nothing will change – however, shares in LinkedIn have jumped by almost 50 per cent in light of publication of this news.
The deal marries the world’s leading professional social network with the leading professional cloud, fostering interactions amongst more than 430 million participating users. The aim of the merger will be, in part, to enhance the user experience at unprecedented levels. The common mission between LinkedIn and Microsoft is to empower professional individuals and organisations, reinvent productivity practices and re-imagine business processes via a vibrant and dynamic network.
As far as the millions of LinkedIn users are concerned, it’s “business as usual” – simply keep using the platform as always and keep abreast of new features which enhance and expand the overall user experience.
LinkedIn’s latest features
- In April 2016, LinkedIn launched a new app to help students with their first career-steps post-graduation. Based on a similar idea to dating app Tinder, the LinkedIn Students app will help match students with career options to best suit their area of study and qualification as they approach graduation from university or college. This will offer a very valuable foot in the door of the competitive, cut-throat job market.
The app was initially rolled out at 300 US colleges, with positive feedback from students. It helps students understand what to search for when job searching, understand what their studies qualify them for and gives insight into what calibre of jobs are available for graduates at entry level. The app provides tailored job recommendations.
While the app has only been launched in the US to date, pilot phase testing will be conducted in select global locations to determine how the app will translate outside the US.
- In November 2015, LinkedIn announced it was working to develop a new notifications system to minimise spamming by the platform. Called Air Traffic Controller (ATC), emails sent to subscribers and users of the platform will be based more upon their level of interaction with the platform: their level of activity, habits and whether a user prefers to receive emails or text messages. Email notifications will also be curated in a more condensed way, and limits will be placed on email notification numbers. ATC is in its fledgling phase, and improvements will continue to be rolled out by LinkedIn.
Maximise your benefit from using LinkedIn
Most changes introduced by LinkedIn are there to enhance user experience, attract new clients, generate new leads, build your brand, grow your network of connections, and to maximise the benefit of using all that the platform offers.
Of all the social media platforms, LinkedIn can be, for many users, the most challenging to master. For this reason alone, many users are not getting the most out of what the platform can offer them. Yet while an estimated 87 per cent of recruiters use LinkedIn, it is in every job seeker’s best interest to fully embrace the channel, and to invest in some basic LinkedIn profile tips for using newer features.
- Updated mobile app. In December last year, LinkedIn fully redesigned their mobile app to work perfectly with both Android and iPhone. Streamlined for ease of use, updating status, messaging contacts, and responding to employment postings has never been simpler on a mobile device. The mobile app has five key areas of use:
- Feed – content that LinkedIn matches from your network as being most relevant to you, your function, your industry and your interests.
- Me – edit or update your profile, see who has viewed your profile, read comments and shares of your posts.
- My Network – daily updates of activity by your network, prompts to help you stay connected, a calendar syncing tool and connection suggestions.
- Messaging – private messaging tool – note that in most instances, it is more appropriate to message a potential employer via email (or whatever their preferred mode of contact is).
- Search – Find jobs, people and groups quickly and easily.
- Streamlined hub. This is a central account page for laptop or desktop, which makes management of your LinkedIn account quick and easy. It has never been clearer nor more concise as to how and where to make basic account alterations, change passwords and privacy settings, block other users and so on. It really makes you “boss of your account”!
- Improved job postings. The platform has improved the way in which users find and ascertain suitability of job postings, as well as simplifying the process of networking into a job interview. For job listings, it’s easier to see whether any of your connections work for the employer; whether your skills and experience are applicable to the employer; and who else works for that employer.
- Meet the team. This feature spotlights employee profiles for users in similar work roles to the ones you are seeking.
LinkedIn Profile Tip: Remember that LinkedIn is purely for professional interaction and connection. It is NOT the platform on which to espouse personal information, political agenda, religious views, or anything else that does not pertain to your career. The Golden Rule is that, if you’d not put it in a job application or say it in a job interview to a potential employer, don’t say it on LinkedIn!
Some of LinkedIn’s lesser-known features
To conclude, know that the benefits of using LinkedIn extend beyond job searching and recruitment. It is also a great tool for marketing purposes for your business and your brand. As such, take full advantage of the following features to fully benefit from this unique social media platform:
- Keywords – as with elsewhere online, incorporating targeted keywords will enhance your SEO activities. Use these in your headline, summary, job titles and descriptions, skills and interests.
- Professional gallery – visual content packs a punch. Create a portfolio of relevant work samples, embed video and slideshare presentations, and attract more opportunities.
- Profile links – customise your profile with your unique URL.
- Recommendations – recommendations carry much more authenticity than endorsements; recommendations are valued by the platform so much that they are a search ranking criteria factor. Any connection that provides a recommendation MUST be thanked accordingly.
- “How you’re connected” – this tool is a simple path for introduction on the platform between users with a common connection.
- Advanced people search – for more targeted searches within your niche.
- Showcase pages – allows companies to target specific demographics by providing single focused pages.
- Review analytics – including key metric trends, post engagement and follower/connection demographics.
- Alumni search – find people specifically associated with your college, university, industry, location or workplace.
- Join groups – to connect with others in your niche. You can now join 100 groups, up from 50.
- Publish considered posts – to showcase your knowledge and authority in your niche, as well as to provide value to your community.
Use LinkedIn to boost your professional business profile online – alongside other social platforms, you will extend your professional reach for utmost growth.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT LINKEDIN?
LinkedIn can’t be ignored. With some attention to the above suggestions, you are certain to enhance your overall social media marketing campaign.
There are numerous ways to create a LinkedIn marketing strategy, and in this article we’ll look at some simple tips and explain how to use LinkedIn for business and create a marketing plan for measureable results.
Have you completed our LinkedIn eCourse?
Meanwhile, if you want to take your social media knowledge higher and dream bigger in what it can do for your business, why don’t you check out our free LinkedIn course.
MUST-DO FREE COURSE: 4 Week LinkedIn Optimisation Course: Not only do we share a bunch of valuable, relative and useful info on our blogs, but we’ve got a free LinkedIn eCourse to help you get the most out of this platform especially for B2B enterprises. If LinkedIn is your preferred social media channel, take a look at this course to raise your profile, generate leads and boost your business – so LinkedIn can start working for you.
