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How LinkedIn has become an essential part of the recruitment process

With more than 467 million users around the world, LinkedIn has become the go-to social platform for professionals, recruiters and companies. However, far from just being a platform on which to create a profile, it is increasingly becoming an intrinsic part of the recruitment process itself.

In fact, according to the latest research from Ad Week, 94% of recruiters use the social media site to vet candidates – more than any other social channel. Comparatively, Facebook and Twitter scored 65% and 55% respectively.

Employers have long looked at the social media profiles of their applicants in a bid to put a face to the CV; but while Facebook or Twitter can provide an impression of the person, LinkedIn conveys their professional demeanour and accomplishments.

In fact, employers should be encouraged to look at a candidate’s LinkedIn profile as a representation of the professional, digital self that they are choosing to showcase to the world. Searching through their profile pictures or activity may mar or distract from their professional achievements and companies could end up losing an excellent applicant.

Latest LinkedIn updates

But away from legalities, LinkedIn’s structure is designed around, and created for, recruitment. Its latest updates include a new chat feature, an updated landing and notification page, as well as an adapted newsfeed based on intelligent algorithms that makes connecting with like-minded users much easier. Moreover, its newly launched Lookup App allows users to search for associates prior to meeting them, which means that making that first connection is slightly less nerve-racking.

It is also important to note that LinkedIn is not just a powerful tool for employers to find candidates, but also for candidates to find employers. Company profiles are a chance for potential candidates to get a glimpse into company culture, branding and corporate vision. Moreover, through activity on LinkedIn – for instance posting in groups or publishing articles on Pulse – you can boost brand visibility, attract future candidates and secure your place as a thought leader in your industry.

Having an online presence is essential for brands to get noticed; however, LinkedIn’s most effective features are also those that come with the heftiest price tag. At Gradlink, we provide a free, global platform for companies to advertise their latest vacancies and liaise with a plethora of talented international graduates.

Our extensive database of CVs features graduates from the UK’s best universities and means that any applicant you interview will bring with them an excellent command of the English language, a global outlook and unique insight into overseas markets. Whether your organisation is situated in the UK, China, ASEAN, the Gulf, Canada, Africa or India, we can help you to find your perfect candidates.