Importance of LinkedIn

1. You can tap into its powerful job board

What are the benefits of LinkedIn? You'll find a number of reasons in this list, but let's start at square one: As a job seeker, you can search its robust job board — and even apply to jobs — through the networking platform.

Search jobs by keywords and location. Even if you're not actively seeking new employment, you can set job alerts based on your career interests to regularly receive email updates and stay in the loop.

You can also be sneaky about it. If you're connected with co-workers and managers, turn on your “I'm interested” button, which will let recruiters and potential employers know you're open to hearing about new opportunities. LinkedIn will hide this open invitation from folks at your current company.

2. You can build your brand

Just like companies build their brands, it's important for you to build your professional brand online. How do you stand out from others in your industry? What makes you marketable? Why should someone pay you six figures?

Personal websites are great for this, but they often come with extra costs — and hours and hours of building and finessing. LinkedIn is a simple way to put your name on the professional map. Upload a professional profile picture and write a powerful LinkedIn summary that emphasizes your strengths and showcases your personality. When recruiters, employers, co-workers, and managers peruse your profile, they should be able to gain a strong understanding of who you are and what skills you bring to the table.

3. It can help rank your name on Google

Chances are, if you apply to a job, one of the first things an employer or human resources manager will do is Google your name. Even emailing a new client could result in a Google sweep of your name.

If you've never Google'd yourself, now's the time. What pops up on the first page of results?

Here's another benefit of LinkedIn: Ranking on Google's first page can be difficult, but LinkedIn is a well-known and powerful network — and Google's into it. Because of that, it's typically easier to get your LinkedIn page to rank on Google versus your homemade website or online portfolio. If your LinkedIn profile is the first thing a prospective employer will see, then maybe it's time to get one ... or edit your existing one to stand out among the crowd. 

4. It maintains your rolodex of contacts

Remember that awesome young professional you met at that conference three years ago? Or that friend of a friend who was interested in freelancing for your company?

Honestly, probably not.

Rather than stuffing their business cards in your desk drawer or adding their email addresses to your outdated address book, add these folks to your professional network on LinkedIn when you meet them. Keep them in your connections so one day you can reconnect when the time's right.

5. You can research companies and its employees

Sure, if you're applying for jobs you can access openings from other job boards; there are plenty of those out there. However, LinkedIn offers other perks.

These days, many companies maintain their own LinkedIn pages where they'll update company information, share company news and insight, and showcase current employees. If the company knows what it's doing, you should get a good, solid feel for its culture and its people to make sure it's a fit for you before diving into the interview process or accepting a job.