Are you one of the many people that think LinkedIn is more for job seekers than anyone else? If so, think again. In the post below, we examine how LinkedIn can be equally as beneficial to employers, as pointed out by a recent post from Michael Ansaldo.

For professionals, LinkedIn — one of the web’s “big three” social networks — is a natural tool. By putting up their resumes, references, work samples and professional goals, jobseekers make themselves an available known quantity. 

But what can LinkedIn do for employers?
Plenty, according to a new IDG News Service post from Michael Ansaldo.

Ansaldo offers five straight-on ways businesses can get active on LinkedIn and see immediate and long-term benefits:

1. Start a page for your company.
   LinkedIn has a range of new tools that’ll help you increase your visibility and lure talent by showcasing your firm’s products and accomplishments, Ansaldo says.
   “If you look at LinkedIn’s users as potential customers, employees and business partners,” he notes, “it becomes clear the networking site is a grand stage on which to tell your brand story. There’s no easier way to start than to create a company page.”

2. Use the network to generate new leads and contacts. Think of LinkedIn as a sprawling business mixer … with 150 million guests and counting. It’s an easy to make connections and join discussions.

3. Identify, track and background your next star hire. A well-rounded network can help you find people who’ll be the best fits for your company culture, Ansaldo observes — and you’ll be able to research them before they even walk in for their first interview.

4. Promote your own expertise through LinkedIn Answers.
   “Demonstrate your knowledge by finding a question related to your field and sharing your insights,” Ansaldo explains. “You’ll expand your visibility beyond your connections.”
   And the medium lets LinkedIn visitors rate the effectiveness of your information — score enough points and you’ll be rated an “expert” on the site, adding to your credibility and visibility.

5. Keep an eye on your competition. Everybody else is likely trying to leverage LinkedIn, too — but you’ll gain some insight into their direction by monitoring their activity on the site.

Love it or hate it, the people you’re looking for, competing with or trying to learn from are flocking to social networking.

LinkedIn’s an easy, inexpensive way to reach them.

Writer and content creator specializing in everything from recruiting and applicant tracking to social media and technology. This article was written by a guest author. Would you like to, submit a guest blog post?