LinkedIn, the social network for professionals, has more than 259m members worldwide, and the number of members from Ireland has now reached 1m. Data from LinkedIn’s Irish membership also reveals a little about Ireland’s professional landscape.
As well as signing up 1m Irish members, LinkedIn employs more than 400 people at its international headquarters in Dublin. “One million Irish members is an important milestone for us, illustrating that Irish professionals really understand the potential of LinkedIn to network, showcase their experience and seek out job opportunities,” said head of international operations Sharon McCooey.
Professional engagement
Soundwave co-founder and CEO Brendan O’Driscoll credits the network with connecting his app with one of the biggest personalities in tech. “Using LinkedIn, I was able to connect with Steve Wozniak, who then went on to offer us invaluable expertise and help us develop our product,” he said. “It is an excellent networking tool, connecting Ireland with every corner of the world. Anyone serious about doing business on the world stage needs to be on it.”
McCooey also noted that Irish users know how to make the most out of the professional network. “True to form, Irish people are as social on LinkedIn as they are in the real world,” she said. “Our data also shows that our Irish members are one of the most engaged audiences in the world for LinkedIn.”
Working abroad
More than 100,000 of these Irish LinkedIn users are living and working abroad, half of whom are still based in Europe. These emigrants are 47pc more likely to fill corporate officer roles than their counterparts based in Ireland. In fact, there are more Irish emigrants working as corporate officers in corporate, high-tech and finance industries than those based in Ireland.
Ireland’s professional landscape
The biggest sector employing Irish users on LinkedIn is the high-tech industry, followed by financial services and construction. The biggest single employer of Irish members is the HSE, with AIB and Bank of Ireland making up the top 3.
In terms of education, more Irish members attended University College Dublin than any other university, with Dublin Institute of Technology in second place and Trinity College Dublin in third.
