For professionals looking to build their network and find new opportunities, LinkedIn has long been the go-to platform. But with the increasing popularity of other social media networks, it is worth exploring potential alternatives that could help you grow your professional network.
This article will explore some of these alternatives to LinkedIn, highlighting their respective advantages to help you determine which is the best fit for your professional networking requirements.
Why should you look for an alternative to LinkedIn?
- The ad: Every second post on the LinkedIn feed is an ad. They can slow down the user experience and take away from the overall professionalism of the platform. By using an alternative platform, you can keep the user experience clean and professional while also avoiding annoying ads.
- Privacy: LinkedIn, like many other social media sites, collects information about you. This information is used to profile and target you with ads and other communications, which can be intrusive and inconvenient. This might be one reason why professionals are searching for other better alternatives to Linkedin.
- Premium plan can be expensive: LinkedIn has a premium plan as well, which costs $29.99/month. This plan provides access to additional features such as job search, resume building, and advanced search tools. However, the cost of the plan can be too expensive for some users, especially if they are not actively using the platform. An alternative to LinkedIn could offer similar features without the high subscription fees, making it more accessible to a wider range of users.
- Linkedin Addiction: While every second post on Linkedin contains ads, every third post contains memes or discussions on controversial conversations. Therefore It is easy to become addicted to LinkedIn and it can be a time-sink and a source of stress. By switching to an alternative platform, you can break this cycle of addiction and get back to focusing on what matters most: your own success.
- Diverse Network: Last but not least, having a more diverse network of professionals outside of LinkedIn can help you open up new possibilities for your career.
Best Alternatives To Linkedin For Professional Networking
Although LinkedIn is the leading social media platform to find like-minded people and grow your personal authority, it has so many drawbacks that might be leading you to find other better alternatives. Fortunately, there are many other sites offering the same service and all of them have different sets of advantages and disadvantages. Below are the Top 7 alternatives to LinkedIn you can choose from.
#1. Xing
Xing is a professional network that operates mainly in Europe, specifically in German-speaking countries. It has a similar layout and feels to LinkedIn, and it is used by millions of professionals. It has great features such as the ability to join groups and forums, share job postings, and write recommendations for other users. Xing also has an impressive list of recruiters and companies that are actively seeking new hires, making it an excellent choice for businesses that want to find talent from Europe.
#2. Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are another great alternative to LinkedIn for networking and finding new opportunities. They come with a few advantages, as well. For example, there are many different types of groups on Facebook that cater to different industries, interests, and even local areas. This means you can easily find and join a group related to your field, industry, or area. As with LinkedIn, you can post content and updates, join conversations, ask questions, and develop relationships with other members.
#3. Meetup
Meetup is another great platform to expand your network and create meaningful connections and find a community of like-minded people. Whether you’re looking for a group activity, want to explore new hobbies, or simply want to socialize with people from all walks of life, Meetup’s got something for everyone.
#4. Jobcase
Jobcase is another free networking platform where people can find and share job opportunities, get advice from experienced professionals, and connect with employers. It is a great way for those who are looking to break into a new field, expand their professional network, or just connect with people in their industry. Jobcase also offers free career resources, such as resume building, job search tools, and a career advisor to help job seekers find the right job.
#5. Nexxt
Nexxt is a job search platform that connects job seekers with employers. Unlike LinkedIn, Nexxt allows job seekers to browse jobs based on location and industry, and also provides career advice and resources. It also offers detailed career profiles, helping job seekers to get a better understanding of the job market. Additionally, Nexxt offers a resume and cover letter builder, as well as job alerts and notifications on new job postings.
#6. Hired
Hired is another popular alternative to LinkedIn for connecting job seekers with employers. This platform is free for job seekers and employers pay a fee for posting jobs. It is a very user-friendly platform and offers various services like job boards, resume-building tools, and interview scheduling capabilities. It also allows you to customize your profile and set up alerts for when new job postings come in. It is a great option for job seekers who want to maximize their chances of finding the right job.
#7. Indeed
Indeed is another top alternative to LinkedIn, and also a great option for job seekers. It allows users to create a profile, search for jobs, and apply for them directly from the site. The platform also provides a range of tools to help employers manage their recruitment process and stay on top of the latest trends in the job market.
There are many other alternatives to LinkedIn that can be beneficial for job seekers, employers, and professionals in the field of networking. Also, many niche social networks exist that cater to specific industries or career paths. But the most important thing is, you have to choose the right platform that fits your needs and helps promote your career goals.
