Chances are Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook are natural parts of your everyday life, but there’s one social network that really gets it. No, it won’t tell you which FRIENDS character you are, and it may not update you on where your friends took their latest tropical vacation. But, there are so many reasons why every professional needs LinkedIn.

Networking, duh

Let’s be honest, whether you’re the life of the party or a homebody, there are very few people who actually love attending networking events. It feels a lot like cold-calling, but in real life. That’s not to say there isn’t value in these events, but LinkedIn provides an excellent platform to engage with influencers in the industry in a non-intrusive way. You can join groups to see what others in your field are discussing. It’s a great way to meet others, learn from experts and by posting, provide value to others. No matter if you’re a Human Resources Professional or a Civil Engineer, there is a group for everyone.  

Higher quality, less fluff

One turn that many other social mediums have taken is the increase of irrelevant content. So many Facebook feeds are filled with advertisements, recipe videos and BuzzFeed listicles. With LinkedIn, on the other hand, I am able to follow key influencers who post content that is relevant to my work. Need help with a certain issue? Pose the question in a group and others will respond with articles and discussions to provide insights and answers to whatever challenges you’re facing.  Plus, you never know who you might meet.

Moving on up

Career advancement is a huge reason why most people have a LinkedIn. It’s a great place to search for jobs, find new companies, and get noticed by top recruiters. See your dream job? Try searching the company name to find the person who posted it. Obviously, be careful with your approach and don’t go spamming everyone who posts something you’re slightly interested in. But with passion and respect, shoot them a message asking them to connect and informing them of what makes you great for the position.

*P.S.: Regardless of your profession, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and engaging. There’s a common misconception that your profile should read like a resume. While, yes, a lot of the information is the same, the tone is not. This is your chance to add some personality to your experience, so take advantage of the opportunity to market yourself.

With thoughtful content, inspiring influencers, and a great opportunity for advancement, LinkedIn should become your new favorite social network.