A quick guide to LinkedIn

Are you thinking about joining LinkedIn? Or maybe you created an account a while ago but are yet to fill out your profile and explore the platform’s features. Either way, with almost 840 million users expected by the end of 2022, you won’t be going it alone. So what have you got to gain?

LinkedIn is a professional social network where you can document your career, network with peers, and find jobs. It’s an effective tool for businesses, too, especially B2B companies, as well as those wanting to recruit and build employer brands.

Below we go into more depth on the possibilities that LinkedIn offers. You’ll also find tips on staying safe in an online environment where phishing attacks increase.

What can you do on LinkedIn?

Lots! Firstly, LinkedIn allows you to build a professional profile online and control first impressions. You can think of it as a CV of sorts – except it’s visible for all your connections and easy to update!

It’s a great tool for staying in touch with friends and former colleagues, too. With 69% of UK workers ready to change jobs right now, LinkedIn enables you to keep track of their whereabouts.

LinkedIn isn’t all about exchanging pleasantries, of course. It also enables you to find and pursue opportunities, whether that means scoping out a new job or homing in on a sales lead.

At other times, you might want advice, and LinkedIn has you covered there, too. You can ask questions directly to your followers or hunt out experts to help to solve your most pressing problems.

Staying safe on LinkedIn

Alas, with so many users sharing personal information, LinkedIn has also become a target for cybercriminals. In fact, LinkedIn has been related to more than half of all phishing attacks globally.

It helps that it’s not unusual to get LinkedIn messages from people or businesses that you don’t know. Part of the onus is on the platform to tighten its security, but there are also steps that users can take. Here’s a quick round-up of LinkedIn security tips:

  • Check the profile of anyone who connects with you or messages you. Look for red flags such as missing profile pictures, suspicious employment records, and a lack of activity history.
  • Stay wary of links in messages. If someone does send you a link in a message, try contacting them through other means or contacting their company directly.
  • Use a virtual private network (VPN) with anti-malware features. Installing a UK VPN on your device will protect your identity while blocking known high-risk websites.
  • Strengthen your password. Weak, easy-to-guess passwords leave accounts vulnerable to hackers, so use long, complex combinations.

Are you ready to start making the most of LinkedIn? Follow these security tips to stay safe on your professional adventures.