With LinkedIn reigning as the king of professional networking sites with nearly 700 million members, it can be a little hard to believe that there are other options out there. Perhaps to your surprise, there are a plethora of smaller-scale professional networking sites that could serve as a great aid to your job search.
There are a couple of reasons why LinkedIn might not be right for you. It might be such a large platform (700 million people is a lot) that you feel like the content you consume is not personal and doesn’t apply to you. You might also get a number of direct messages from people you don’t know. Some people prefer less messages from spammers or people trying to sell them things. Maybe some of these apply to you. If that’s the case, then this list is the right place to go. Before we dive into the professional alternatives to LinkedIn, let’s briefly break down networking.
What Is Networking?
Networking isn’t just for those who are immediately looking for a job. Many professionals make networking a part of their regular schedule, as an opportunity to constantly grow, develop new connections, and see what else is out there.
When it comes to networking, there are few things better than utilizing LinkedIn for creating new connections (If you want advice on how to use LinkedIn to find a job, then check out the linked article!). Despite LinkedIn being all that most people know, there are other professional networking sites out there! Checking out and using these other professional networking sites could really supplement your online profile.
19 Professional Networking Sites as Alternatives to LinkedIn
Here is a quick glance at a series of LinkedIn alternatives. You might be surprised by the volume of professional networking sites that are available instead of the site you have heard so much about! Some of these sites are networking focused, while others offer powerful tools to assist in your job hunt.
1. MeetUp
Meetup, as the name suggests, is a site that was created to organize in-person “meet-up” events for people who share interests. The site boasts a number of users around the world and is great for those looking to work for startups.
2. Slack
Slack is a little different from a number of the other options that we will look at. Unlike these other browser-based programs, Slack is an app that allows you to join threads to send and receive messages from anyone on these public threads. This can open you up to receiving lots of messages, some of which might be distracting. Keep this in mind when considering slack as a professional networking site alternative.
3. Facebook Groups
Similar to Slack, this option may seem a little unorthodox. However, it is a very useful tool for finding other professionals to connect with and learn from. Search for groups you might be interested in, request to join them, and then network away.
4. Opportunity
Opportunity is home of the “matchmaking algorithm” that connects you with other professionals based off your needs and desires. This program offers a lot of flexibility in the notifications you receive and the search capabilities that you have.
5. AngelList
AngelList is one of the most popular alternatives to LinkedIn. While perhaps different from other options, AngelList allows you to connect with others by investing in startups, learning about companies, and finding employment.
6. Xing
Xing is basically LinkedIn for Europeans. It offers the same functions as LinkedIn, but in a number of different languages. It has members in over 200 countries, making it a great option for those looking to work or even just connect with those outside of the United States.
7. Bark
Bark is a great option if you are looking for a site to find professionals nearby. Type your criteria and your zip code and quickly find web designers, personal trainers, or anything else you might need! This is a powerful tool to cut down on the search process in finding professionals nearby.
8. Jobcase
This platform has extensive access to job roles and details regarding these positions at companies that you want to work for. You also have the ability to join groups and participate in discussions.
9. LunchMeet
LunchMeet is a mobile app that functions similarly to MeetUp, which we mentioned earlier in this list. It allows you to connect one-on-one with professionals over lunch or coffee.
10. Community Forums
Have you ever considered using community forums to network with other professionals? It is a less common method, but rather easy when it comes to finding knowledgeable people to learn from in professions related to your own.
11. Twitter Threads
If you want to show that you are really interested in a position, then following up with someone from the company is a great move. Be careful not to come across as pushy or entitled, as it can be easy to fall into these traps when it comes to following up. However, the way that you follow up can really set you apart from others in the job hunt.
12. Reddit
It may seem like we are progressively working to more and more questionable options for networking, but trust us, Reddit can be a great choice when it comes to finding knowledgeable communities of professionals.
13. Sumry
Sumry is a powerful tool that allows you to collect a variety of information, including testimonials, skills, certifications, and work experience. Once this information is aggregated, Sumry sends it directly to employers. This gives employers a more holistic perspective of you as an employee.
14. Gust
For those in search of help with a startup, Gust is the place to go. Their goal is to “take founders further”. It is a great resource for entreprenuers looking advice, investment, and a community for support.
15. Doostang
If you are in the finance and consulting world, then Doostang is the ultimate guide for you. They pride themselves on sorting through the mediocre jobs to find you the elite jobs that you are searching for. As an added bonus, they offer free resume critiques.
16. Let's Lunch
In a nearly identical fashion to LunchMeet, Let’s Lunch sets up individuals to meet other professionals for lunch or drinks. It offers the ability to casually connect with others to share ideas, build friendships, and discover opportunities.
17. YouJoin
YouJoin is a great tool to add personality to your resume (or CV). They use a “semi-public” profile, which allows others to access your profile using the link and pin that you provide them. You build a profile and then put the profile link and pin on your resume. This unique professional networking site is a wonderful tool for those looking to stand out from other candidates in their job hunt.
18. The Muse
The Muse might mainly be known for informative articles, but they also provide the ability to search for jobs, learn from others, and explore career paths. Overall, this is a great resource for your career.
19. Hired
Hired is the place to go for anyone looking for a job. You simply create a profile and then “let companies apply to interview you.” It is a great (and free!) resource that lets you hide your info from current and past employers. Find your dream job using Hired.
Closing Thoughts
With so many professional networking sites out there, it can be hard to even know where to begin. Test out a few of these different resources and you might find something that speaks to you. Like much of the job search, testing things out is the method for success. You won’t get any further than you are today if you don’t try something new!
Hire Integrated is full of great tips for your job search and can help you get the job that you have always dreamt of. Begin today!
