The Platform You Can't Afford to Ignore: How LinkedIn is Rewriting the Rules of Career Growth

Marcell Jackson
May 14
3 min read

Co-authored by Marcell Jackson and Christopher Smitherman II

If you’re not on LinkedIn in 2025, you’re not just behind—you’re invisible.

That may sound harsh, but it’s true. LinkedIn is no longer optional for career-minded professionals. It’s the digital handshake, the open-door interview, the online portfolio, and the connection to opportunities you didn’t even know existed. And yet, we still meet so many talented individuals—especially young professionals—who haven’t unlocked the full potential of this powerful platform.

We recently had the honor of co-hosting a LinkedIn Workshop for Accenture’s Philadelphia office that brought together more than 50 professionals both in person and virtually. The energy in the room was electric. We shared real-time profile feedback, personal branding tips, and best practices for expanding your network. The feedback? Unanimous: "This was needed."

See the recap here: LinkedIn Workshop Recap – Marcell Jackson

*Marcell and Chris at the Accenture Philadelphia Office.*

The truth is, LinkedIn is more than a digital resume. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem of opportunity.

Why LinkedIn Still Reigns Supreme

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 1 billion users, and 300 million of them are active every single month. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok might dominate the social spotlight, LinkedIn dominates your career.

CEOs post advice.
Recruiters scout talent.
Executives build thought leadership.

And you? You should be part of that ecosystem. If you’re still only prioritizing platforms where the ROI is likes over livelihood, it’s time for a mindset shift.

You don’t have to become a LinkedIn influencer, but you do need to become visible.

Your LinkedIn Profile is Your First Interview

Here’s the deal: You wouldn’t walk into an interview in a wrinkled T-shirt, so don’t show up online with a half-finished profile.

At a minimum, your LinkedIn profile should include:

A professional headshot and branded banner image
A compelling “About” section summarizing your background, skills, and career goals
Your current and past job roles with clear, concise descriptions
Education, certifications, and any awards
A custom URL (because no one wants to type /in/john-doe-xyz123)

Want to learn more about profile optimization? Check out our earlier post: The App Young Professionals Are Underutilizing

The 500+ Club: Why Connections Matter

LinkedIn doesn’t just connect you with who you know. It connects you with who you need to know. Once your profile is solid, your next job is to build your network.

Start with:

Colleagues and classmates
Friends and family
People you’ve met at events
Alumni from your school

The goal? Hit that 500+ mark. Not for vanity metrics, but because it signals to others that you’re active and connected.

Content is the New Résumé

LinkedIn rewards engagement. That means you need to:

Post updates about your work wins
Share articles that align with your field
Comment on industry news
Celebrate others’ achievements

The algorithm favors consistency, so show up—even when you’re not job searching. When opportunity knocks, it often slides into your DMs first.

Ready to Level Up?

We’ve seen firsthand what a strong LinkedIn presence can do. It can get you hired. It can get you promoted. And it can get you noticed by companies like Accenture, who brought us in to train their rising talent.