With its infamous way to connect both employers and employees through just a few messages, LinkedIn soon started getting competitors as other apps started using the same concept for their digital platforms like Internshala, Opportunity and other apps. And although LinkedIn is still popular as a professional, job-seeking online platform, it has many competitors waiting to take its position in the future.
What is LinkedIn?
In a nutshell, LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where people add people for the purpose to increase their connections in the field, they are planning to bid their career in or where they are already working in. It acts as a bridge between connections as well as employees and employers with its feature to contact people through messaging for an internship, part-time or job opportunities.
It allows both employees as well as employers to make profiles on the app — even if they are companies, individual contractors or direct employers. From such profiles, they can then post jobs which will be available to anyone who wants to apply after reading the description and required qualifications provided.
On the side of the employees, they can customize their profile by adding their educational and work details along with other activities that may be beneficial for their career. In simpler terms, employees are making their profiles an impromptu CV that can be viewed by any interested employer or company while checking as they check their profiles.
In a way, it is similar to other networking sites or apps where people can freely associate with one another with the background with the context of jobs and talks related to one’s career.
LinkedIn Competitors: Explained
Just like any other apps or networking platforms, LinkedIn also has its alternatives or ‘competing’ apps. These alternatives include:
Internshala: This is an Indian professional networking platform where employers can put up posts for their part-time or internships with the idea of a job in the company later on. Almost all internships are paid and if they are not or are considered to be volunteering work, then it is mentioned on the offer of the internship itself. AngelList: This professional networking site is more of an investment-seeking platform than actual jobs. While it also offers connections between potential employees and the employers looking for them, it is primarily used to raise funds for one’s startup business or self-business ideas. Meetup: This is an American-based professional networking platform that mostly supports local job opportunities than farther ones. Opportunity: This is one of the more popular networking platforms where the algorithm matches the employees with the potential job opportunities as per their profiles and uploaded credentials. The algorithm shortlists potential job sites for the user based on their profile, location, skill set, etc. Reddit: While it is not a primary job-seeking platform, it does have many groups or ‘subreddits’ that offer jobs and part-time in either the local area or in more extended zones. The legitimacy of it is, however, not quite guaranteed since the platform itself is only for social networking than actual job opportunities. Indeed: This is an online website that helps employers and employees connect through job-seeking applications as well as monitoring the tasks allotted for such an opportunity. Facebook: Another app that is made for something entirely else and yet may still aid job seekers through specific groups. Known famously for its social networking and connection, Facebook can also have specified groups and corners for employers to post about jobs, internships and part-time jobs. However, the legitimacy of such jobs is, however, not quite guaranteed since the platform itself is only for social networking than actual job opportunities. Hired: This is another popular professional networking platform that uses its unique algorithm to match users with potential job aspects based on their profiles and preferences they have provided.
Conclusion
While the Internet grows day by day, it becomes important for everyone present to learn its ways and utilize it to their advantage — especially in cases like this where job seeking can be made infinitely easier through networking sites like this. All one has to know is how to access such sites and the basic knowledge about them. The rest can be learned through regular attempts and usage.
Frequently asked questions
Is LinkedIn better than its alternatives?
In a sense, yes, it is since the alternatives are not as popular as LinkedIn due to it almost taking monopoly over the professional networking platforms.
Are all the internship or job posts on LinkedIn legitimate?
Mostly, yes. However, one is still advised to practise caution while they are planning to apply at one. Proper research should be conducted before giving any additional information.
