I recently created a LinkedIn profile. As a soon to be graduate I decided it was about time I connected with people in the real world. I have become obsessed with checking my LinkedIn, I even downloaded the LinkedIn app on my phone to make it easier.

LinkedIn is a business oriented social media site and is mainly used for professional networking – hence why it was important for a soon to be graduate to create a profile. But how can LinkedIn help someone who already has a job or their own business?

As of 2013, LinkedIn has more than 259 million followers in over 200 countries and territories. Since it is strictly a business oriented social media site, LinkedIn is great for finding and creating business opportunities with people all around the world. Users can follow their favorite companies or companies they are interested in and get updates on new joining and updates. Employees can list job openings and search for potential candidates.

This social media site differs from Facebook and Twitter and other sites because of the fact it is very business oriented. People who have a LinkedIn profile connect with you to see how they can be apart or further your career, not to know how your day to day personal life is going. Twitter and Facebook are great for campaigns for the public to get involved in and to make a brand for yourself. LinkedIn is more for the people behind the scenes and gives you and your company the chance to network with professionals who could potentially further your business.

Some fun facts about LinkedIn are; the site is available in 20 languages including English, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Romanian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech, Polish, Korean, Maley, Indonesian, Danish, Russian, Turkish, Japanese, and Tagalog. LinkedIn is headquartered in Mountain View, California but has offices in Omaha, Chicago, New York City, London and Dubai.

Every professional needs to have a LinkedIn in order to stay connected in the business world. Remember, LinkedIn is strictly a business oriented social media site.