So what’s better for professionals, LinkedIn or Facebook? Actually, this is one of the easiest questions one could ask, as, no surprise, LinkedIn wins the fight hands down.
Yes, Facebook has over 1.35 billion members while LinkedIn has 350 million. Yes, Facebook is the World’s Social Network, while LinkedIn operates in a particular niche. Yes, Facebook has a gigantic market capitalization of $266 billion, while LinkedIn has a much smaller, albeit respectable market valuation of $25 billion. Yes, Facebook is a much bigger company. But when it comes to what works best for professionals, it’s really no contest between the two. It’s LinkedIn all the way.
Let’s find out why that is the case and why LinkedIn is so appreciated by professionals in over 200 countries.
LinkedIn is Better Organized
True, Facebook has over 1.35 billion users. But Facebook is a completely disorganized, even anarchic medium. There is no way for recruiters to find candidates suitable for the positions on offer. LinkedIn on the other hand is far better organized. Recruiters can search for the right candidate based on information such as the company, title, qualifications, and key words. Everything related to the candidate’s career, such as resume, qualifications, professional achievements and landmarks, can be seen on their LinkedIn profile, which can be found with just a simple search. LinkedIn saves a recruiter’s time and allows them to get in touch with the right candidates for a job opening.
LinkedIn Profiles Carry More Weight
Let’s face it. Facebook profiles are not really serious! A recruiter has no interest in knowing who you are seeing currently, or whether your heart was broken recently! Facebook is a good place for gossip, and it’s great for a small business looking to market its products or services. But it certainly does not do much for a professional. On a LinkedIn profile, you get a complete snapshot of a person’s career at just one glance. Those with complete LinkedIn profiles are 40 times as likely to get job offers as those who haven’t taken their profile on LinkedIn seriously enough. Here’s just a hard fact – your LinkedIn profile helps you get a job and your Facebook profile wins friendship and love. Well, there you have it – the essential difference between LinkedIn and Facebook!
LinkedIn Connections are More Powerful
You can make more connections using Facebook. A business can easily get thousands of followers by opening a Facebook page. However, as a professional, you’d be better served to work harder on your LinkedIn account, as LinkedIn helps you make more effective connections. You don’t make the most number of connections on LinkedIn, but you make the best connections – that get you a job. LinkedIn allows you to connect easily to companies and executives and establish credibility. By getting involved in LinkedIn groups with similar interests and in the same industry, you will be able to network better and build relationships with people who matter for your professional career.
The Verdict
All social media networks have their uses, and Facebook is without doubt the most popular social network by far. It is unheard of in today’s world for someone not to be on Facebook. However, Facebook has certain serious drawbacks, and does not really address the needs of young professionals looking to advance in their careers. LinkedIn fulfills these needs admirably. LinkedIn is, without doubt, the #1 social network for young professionals. As a young professional, you will be judged by recruiters based on your LinkedIn profile, which is why you should take it very seriously.
You will find more great info on the LinkedIn Advantage for Professionals, or for that matter, on the Twitter Advantage for Entrepreneurs, on our sister site, www.techspecie.com. We look forward to your company there.
