Do you think setting up and sending connection requests on LinkedIn is all you need to do to master this social media channel? Think again! Joining LinkedIn groups is a great way to meet new contacts, share ideas, view jobs and establish yourself as a thought leader in the industry. With the thousands of groups on LinkedIn, how do you know which ones you should be a part of? Here are the 7 LinkedIn Groups Millennials should join:
NetParty
NetParty is a LinkedIn group that makes networking easy for Millennials and young professionals. This group connects young professionals with each other in over 20 cities across the country, and arranges events for them to meet and network in person. NetParty allows members to connect with each other online and then meet in person, taking the first steps of small talk and awkward introductions completely out of the picture.
Band of Entrepreneurs
Millennials, are you aiming for entrepreneurship? The Band of Entrepreneurs LinkedIn group provides support to up and coming entrepreneurs in areas that may be new to them; think: on-demand legal, tech and PR help which may be way out of the comfort zone for some entrepreneurs just starting off with their business. Feel free to ask questions to other members in the group if you’re stuck on anything from how to sign new grocery suppliers to how to file a patent. This group aims to become somewhat of a mentorship/trainee group where members can truly learn and benefit from knowing each other which is exactly what LinkedIn was designed to do!
Leadership Think Tank
Career-driven Millennials will love the Leadership Think Tank group on LinkedIn, which encourages members to share news articles, thoughts and opinions about what’s trending in the world of leadership. This group will expose Millennials to new ways of thinking about the business world and the role of leaders, while also helping them develop their own skillset for a leadership position.
Social Media Marketing
Whether you’re in the field of social media marketing or not, this group is still beneficial for your professional success. Face it, social media marketing is a must for businesses across most industries, and even if you’re not on the marketing team, it’s best to stay in the loop and know what’s going on in the world around you. Plus, this group has sub-groups that narrow topics down by industry, so you don’t have to read over dozens of articles that have nothing to do with your line of work.
Digital Marketing
Just like social media marketing, digital marketing is unavoidable at this point in the business world. This group is much broader than the social media group, focusing on all things digital including search engine optimization, email marketing and banner ads. Either one of these groups would also be perfect for Millennials hoping to branch off and start their own business one day.
Young Professionals of…
There are dozens of LinkedIn groups dedicated to bringing together young professionals within the same area. Do a quick search for the group closest to you and join it. This instantly connects you with hundreds or thousands (depending on your metro area) of like-minded individuals that will be sharing tips, job opportunities and information on upcoming industry events. All you have to do is scroll through!
Project: Get hired!
Looking for a job? You should join this LinkedIn group. Already have one? Yep, you should join this LinkedIn group. Members of this group actively share tips on finding new positions and interviewing to get the job as well as sharing job posts from around the country. If you’re already employed, don’t worry, you should still join this group for tips on advancing in your career!
Which LinkedIn groups are you a member of and which are the most beneficial to your professional development? Tell us in the comments below!
