Pro: New ways to network

By Jackson Hayon, Staff Writer

There is no denying that social media is becoming increasingly important in a modern, technology-based world. While apps like Twitter and Instagram are great for entertainment, they don’t exactly offer the best platform for those seeking work. Then there is LinkedIn, which is like a Facebook interface but for professionals. With more than 610 million profiles in 200 countries, LinkedIn surely offers something for everyone.

From business and writing to communications and media, LinkedIn is one giant network for job opportunities and resumes.

According to Forbes, “LinkedIn is, far and away, the most advantageous social networking tool available to job seekers and business professionals today.”

Companies and employers can post job listings, while those looking for jobs can post their resumes and past experience – thus creating a network that benefits both parties. People can research a company via LinkedIn before applying, and companies can access potential employees resumes to see if they’re a right fit for the company.

LinkedIn also allows people to put their past experience on their profile – including things such as their education, awards, and past jobs.

But LinkedIn isn’t only important for those looking for work – it can also be helpful for entrepreneurs looking to establish their brands or companies.

Start-ups can reach out either to potential employees or companies to try and expand. Instead of having to pay fees to attend conferences, start-up companies can look for potential partners or investors for free via LinkedIn.

But LinkedIn isn’t just great for business – it’s also great for any profession involving freelance work. By putting your profile on public, any potential employee can find you. For those interested in writing or journalism, LinkedIn also has job listings for freelance articles.

With LinkedIn, students can make connections while attending Pierce, which may someday lead to them getting that dream job of theirs.

LinkedIn also lets students explore their intended field and possible make connections with like-minded individuals. They can also get updates on job offerings or news relating to their field.

LinkedIn also has a specific page dedicated especially for students. The page offers tips for getting hired and finding jobs. Plus, when you join LinkedIn, it syncs your phone contacts so you can connect to friends and families members and expand your connections.

Having a LinkedIn profile is a huge advantage to students, and can help point them in the right direction to achieving their dreams.

Con: Connection or promotion?

By George Apikyan, Staff Writer

LinkedIn, like Myspace, seems to cater towards feeding junkies that like to fluff up their resumes.

With all the various social media networks that accomplish the same job as LinkedIn, it’s like this becomes another oversaturated network that you would eventually forget your password to.

Students are already avidly sought out for, in terms of resumes, portfolios, clips and whatever else there is being jammed down their throats. Most people hope to look a bit more trimmed and refined for their job interviews.

The many systematic issues that can be found in LinkedIn are very rudimentary as well. Spam ads monopolize iphone and android mobile games from others into friends and friends of friends. Being unable to post because of the moderating blocking content. Due to the vast number of people using LinkedIn, it becomes much more difficult to operate as smoothly. It is also very self serving.

According to Techcrunch.com, “LinkedIn is not, in fact, a business network — individuals on LinkedIn represent themselves, not their businesses. And as LinkedIn’s content is mostly user-generated, the incentive is for the users to produce material that promotes themselves.”

The user base isn’t very active in terms of the sheer volume of actual consumer base.

According to socialmediatoday.com, “While LinkedIn doesn’t officially report this, previous research suggests that LinkedIn had around 250 million MAU when it was on 500 million members, while other analysis has suggested that the platform’s active usage rate is only around 25% of LinkedIn members at any given time. That would put the MAU number at around 144 million currently.”

LinkedIn also holds information on its users based on what they feel would safeguard the consumers so their information wouldn’t leak. But anything you post on a business account is made with the intention of showing it to potential jobs, clients, etc.

“By not sharing its data with others, LinkedIn safeguards some of its revenues, but also restricts integration with business workflows – relegating the network to continue to be one focused on individuals rather than businesses, according to techcrunch.com.

This further limits the flexibility and the accessibility of LinkedIn as it makes the ability to steal jobs and businesses a lot less diverse.

Expanding your horizon by marketing yourself in real life via portfolios and resumes that show your outstanding performances through IRL meetings seems like a more realistic approach that can bring in more opportunities.