Why You Have to Have a LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is now a crucial professional tool, so if you don't have a profile, you really need to get one. The social media platform is used by upwards of 600 million people across 200 countries, with three million business pages. The majority of Fortune 100 companies use it to seek out job candidates and it's often the go-to place for recruiters. With statistics like that, you can't afford to be missing out.

A LinkedIn profile is totally free to create and it can really get you seen. It's a space for you to list your achievements, your professional interests, your experience and your ambitions – all things potential employers want to see. When it comes to hiring, it's usually the first place recruiters go to research a candidate.

It's more than just a platform for self-promotion, however. LinkedIn is a great way to build up your list of professional contacts, to network with others in the industry, to find job openings, read insights pieces and enjoy the mutual support of a wider business community. Most businesses will have their own LinkedIn page, so if you're targeting a particular organisation for your next career move, get on there and follow them to get early warning of upcoming vacancies.

Nearing retirement, fresh out of school, start-up owner or CEO of a large, established firm – everyone should be on LinkedIn, regardless of where they are in their career. LinkedIn allows you to build your brand, both business and personal – if you're not already on there, make setting up an account your number one priority.