Having a large network of connections on LinkedIn can be very beneficial for both personal and professional reasons. Here are some of the main ways that LinkedIn connections can be useful:
Expanding your professional network
One of the core functions of LinkedIn is to help you build your professional network. The more connections you have, the wider your reach becomes. This can help with:
- Finding job opportunities – Connections may notify you of openings at their company.
- Recruiting new talent – You can connect with potential candidates.
- Business development – Connections can develop into clients or sales leads.
- Getting introduced – Connections can make valuable introductions to someone you want to know.
- Advice and expertise – You can get advice from your wider network.
In summary, more connections mean more people you can potentially leverage for career and business opportunities.
Staying up-to-date on industry trends
Your newsfeed displays updates from your connections. This serves as a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in your industry and professional circles. You can find out about:
- New developments and innovations
- Companies that are growing and hiring
- Upcoming events and conferences
- Who’s changing jobs
- Award winners and rising stars
This information can all help you position yourself at the forefront of industry knowledge and trends.
Researching companies and people
If you are researching a company you may want to work for, or a person you want to connect with, your LinkedIn network can provide unique insider information and perspectives. By searching for a company or individual, you can quickly see:
- How you are connected to them through your network
- Current and past employees
- Company growth trends and news
- Biographical info and work histories for individuals
This type of behind-the-scenes information can give you valuable context before interviews, sales calls, business meetings, and more.
Finding recommendations and endorsements
The more connections you have, the greater your chances of getting recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn. These boost your profile and credibility by having associates vouch for your skills and accomplishments. Recommendations can be especially important for:
- Job applications – They act as references
- Reputation building – Adds credibility to your personal brand
- Qualifying for certifications – Some require recommendations
- Attracting new business – Testimonials influence buying decisions
The best way to get lots of recommendations is to actively maintain your network by connecting and engaging with associates from all your past and present roles.
Increasing your visibility
The more connections you have, the more visible and discoverable your profile becomes across LinkedIn. Reasons this increased visibility can be valuable include:
- Personal branding – Helps you stand out as an industry leader or expert
- Recruiting opportunities – Headhunters may more easily find your profile
- Reconnecting with old contacts – Former connections may find and get in touch with you
- Business leads – Prospects can more easily learn about you and your company
In effect, more connections mean coming across as more of a “linked in” professional compared to someone with fewer connections.
Accessing LinkedIn Groups
Many LinkedIn Groups require a certain number of connections in order to join. Groups can provide value by allowing you to:
- Join in niche industry discussions
- Ask questions and get answers from other members
- Establish yourself as a subject matter expert
- Meet and connect with other relevant professionals
- Promote your business, products, or services
Therefore, having more connections opens up access to more potentially useful groups for your career or business.
Filtering job opportunities
LinkedIn allows you to filter job listings by who you are connected to at that company. This can be advantageous for:
- Getting your foot in the door – A connection can refer you or notify you of an unposted opening
- Insider info – Connections can share insights about the company’s culture to see if it’s a good fit
- Standing out – You can ask your connection to submit your application directly to the hiring manager
Essentially, a connection at a company you want to work for gives you an invaluable advantage over other candidates during the job search process.
Cultivating business relationships
It’s often easier to establish trusting business relationships with people once you are connected on LinkedIn. Ways this can help include:
- Quickly learning about a prospect’s background can help avoid missteps and find common ground
- Scheduling meetings, sharing files, and exchanging contact info is seamless
- Following up after meetings with new connections strengthens the relationship
- Staying top of mind by interacting with connections via posts, articles, and updates
Strong networks lead to strong business relationships. LinkedIn facilitates this by letting you nurture connections through ongoing communication and engagement.
Conclusion
In summary, here are some final key benefits of having more LinkedIn connections:
- Wider access to career and business opportunities
- Greater visibility and credibility as a professional
- Insider information that provides strategic advantages
- More endorsements to boost your reputation
- Stronger professional relationships that yield rewards
While the quality of your connections matters, quantity can also open a lot of doors. Continually growing your network expands what’s possible for your career and business endeavors.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Expanding your professional network | More connections mean more people you can potentially leverage for career and business opportunities |
| Staying up-to-date on industry trends | Your newsfeed displays valuable updates from your connections |
| Researching companies and people | Your network provides insider information and perspectives |
| Finding recommendations and endorsements | More connections increase your chances of getting recommendations and endorsements |
| Increasing your visibility | More connections make you more discoverable as a professional |
| Accessing LinkedIn Groups | Some groups require a certain number of connections to join |
| Filtering job opportunities | You can filter job listings by who you’re connected to at the company |
| Cultivating business relationships | It’s easier to build relationships with connections on LinkedIn |
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn connections expand your professional opportunities and visibility
- A larger network provides insider info and industry knowledge
- Connections boost your reputation through endorsements
- Linking with the right people facilitates relationships and access
- Ongoing engagement with your network is crucial for cultivating it
