LinkedIn and Branding: A practical Social Media site for branding yourself!

Social media, websites used by large groups to share information, greatly influence modern society by providing people with a means of connecting over similar topics.  While many social media websites are commonly portrayed as a purely social experience LinkedIn, a website meant to network people between businesses and peers is widely considered a legitimate tool for the business world. LinkedIn accounts act as an online resume allowing users to network with potential employers and promote themselves essentially broadcasting their own brand.  An added bones to LinkedIn is the ability to brand oneself in a professional manner by being able to post skills, education, prior jobs and achievements all easily viewable in an universal format.  This allows companies to quickly query information on applicants, also allowing companies to search for users who might not have even applied.  

In order to properly use LinkedIn one must brand themselves properly, even when one least expects it they may be getting researched by companies.  The ability for a company to research potential employees incognito is a powerful tool that can harm one if they do not properly brand who they are.  However it can also be a great tool for both users trying to be hired as well as companies looking for a particular skill.

LinkedIn shows the power that social media can provide a specific function such as networking.  With the proper branding of oneself LinkedIn can open many doors through the networks gained through peers, followed and even anonymous companies.  Unlike many of LinkedIn’s predecessors in the world of social media, LinkedIn prevails in one aspect, it is highly professional and practical.