I've included LinkedIn as a must have mobile application in my previous article. Check out now if you didn't read it yet. Must have apps for Android phones: March 2021!

What's the hype about LinkedIn?

I've already stressed it enough in my previous article that if you know me personally, then there’s a very high chance that I've already recommended you to install LinkedIn. And No, this is NOT a paid promotion from LinkedIn. LinkedIn has helped me a lot and read the complete article to know how it would be helpful for you too.
Did you know that LinkedIn, the professional social networking platform, has actually been around longer than Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram? But it's more relevant now than ever.

Why? Because it hosts more than 740 million professional profiles, which means nearly an unlimited supply of network connections and job opportunities

Below are the reasons why you should definitely start using LinkedIn.

1. Know more about your dream company and it's employees!

Are you looking forward to work in that favorite firm that you have always dreamt of? Create a Linkedin account and connect with the employees of that organization!
This will give a great exposure on what it feels to work at that organization. You can also seek for internships or open positions at that organization by connecting with their HRs.

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.

You can also find open job positions at the company. And sometimes (like in the picture below), you can see what skills their other current employees have, so you can match them up with your own and see if you’re a good fit.

Start following your favorite firm and research what skills does it require to get that position you've always wanted!

2. Connect!, Connect, Connect!

Are you looking forward to interact with people who are highly professional and skilled who can help you with your queries?
Even if you're an introvert and hate networking events, you can still foster meaningful LinkedIn connections. Through LinkedIn, you can build a relationship with mutual connections, folks in your field, and even your greatest role models.

Getting ahead in any career is as much about who you know, as it is about what you know. Start by connecting with your peers and your university lecturers, then branch out into the industry that you want to work in. You never know when a connection will come in handy and the bigger your network, the more chance you have of being referred to a job role.

3. 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 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

4. Fun fact: Feature on Google search!

Okay so we all would have searched our names on Google one day. If you are lucky enough and you have a unique name, your facebook or Twitter might have popped up on doing so.
But what if I tell you, You can get your name appear on Google in the top when you search it (provided there aren't many people with the same name)
Create a LinkedIn account, go to profile and click on customize URL. Change it to what you want to appear when you search your name.

For example, take a look at this:

Your Interviewer might search for you to see if you maintain a good online presence. Make your LinkedIn profile stands out so that it gives a great impression of you!

5.Hiring managers and recruiters are on LinkedIn

The last yet most important reason on why you should be on LinkedIn, 94% of recruiters say they use LinkedIn to find candidates. (Some research has found up to 97% of recruiters use LinkedIn.)
Yet the 2014 Jobvite study disco>vered that while 94% of recruiters are on LinkedIn, only 36% of job seekers are.

Even though you are not looking for a job immediately, it is always better to be ready in advanced by knowing more informationa about the company, the role you are applying for,
the current employees in the role, work they do etc.

So by now, you might have understood why LinkedIn is so much useful for students, employees as well as employers. Do share in the comments below what you think about LinkedIn!