The Encyclopædia & Field Compendium of Professional Networks
Being a Comparative Treatise upon Four Notable Platforms, with Observations on their Use, Scope, and Manner of Operation
❦ ✦ ❦
Compiled at the close of Spring,
In the year Two Thousand Twenty Six
Independent Reference Edition · Number XIV
~ Prolegomenon ~
The professional network, as a category, has settled into four principal forms by the year present. No single platform now performs every function of the whole, and the reader is therefore advised to consult more than one entry below in order to arrive at a complete picture of the territory.
This volume describes each in its present state, with figures rounded for the sake of clarity. The author makes no commercial recommendation, and the platforms named hold no relation to the publisher of this reference.
~ The Four Principal Entries ~
arranged by general scope, descending
Entry I.
LinkedIn
[lɪŋkt ɪn]
A general-purpose professional network of broad reach, founded in the year two thousand and three and held since two thousand sixteen by the Microsoft Corporation. The platform unites within a single account the functions of professional identity, job application, content publishing, messaging, and continuing education. It is by a considerable measure the largest of its kind.
~ Particulars ~
Membership at present
one thousand million (1B+)
Markets reached
upwards of two hundred
Cost of standard use
without charge
Premium subscriptions
from 29.99 monthly
Year of founding
2003
Present proprietor
Microsoft Corp.
Observation. The content feed has, in recent years, grown noisier and more crowded with material produced by automated means. The platform yet remains the standard against which others are measured.
Entry II.
Indeed, with Glassdoor
[ɪnˈdiːd · ˈɡlæs.dɔːr]
A pair of associated platforms devoted chiefly to the active search for employment. Indeed serves as the principal job-board, of considerable volume; Glassdoor, its companion, supplies employer reviews and prevailing salary data. Together they form a workflow suited to the candidate who knows what they seek and intends to apply directly.
~ Particulars ~
Monthly visitors
three hundred fifty millions
Markets reached
upwards of sixty
Employers represented
three millions or more
Candidate's fee
none
Networking provision
none of note
Proprietor
Recruit Holdings
Observation. Excellent for active job-seeking and intelligence-gathering before interview. Wholly absent of community, content, or sustained professional identity.
Entry III.
Wellfound
[ˈwɛl.faʊnd]
A specialised network, formerly known as AngelList Talent, devoted to the affairs of startups and the venture sector. Distinguished from the others by the open publication of salary and equity upon every listing, and by the direct address candidates may have to the founders of such enterprises.
~ Particulars ~
Membership
eight millions
Startups listed
one hundred fifty thousand
Salary disclosure
upon all listings
Equity disclosure
upon all listings
Access to founders
direct
Vertical of operation
technology and venture
Observation. The transparency on compensation is uncommon. Outside the venture sector its utility is limited.
Entry IV.
Meetup, with Lunchclub
[ˈmiːt.ʌp · ˈlʌnt͡ʃ.klʌb]
Two platforms united in this volume for the kindred service they provide: the convening of professionals in person, or, in the case of the latter, in a one-to-one conversation arranged by automated matching. Meetup is the elder, hosting some two millions of events per annum across the greater part of the world.
~ Particulars ~
Membership
fifty-two millions
Countries reached
upwards of one hundred ninety
Events held yearly
two millions or more
Attendee's fee
none
Organiser's fee
20 monthly upward
Manner of operation
chiefly in person, with 1:1 also
Observation. Of the four entries this alone requires the body to leave the chair. No employment listings are kept upon this platform.
~ Plate I ~
Comparative Synopsis
a table of the principal functions, with notation of where each may be found