LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network with more than 414 million member worldwide, has unveiled their ranking of the companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that have the highest number of employees on the platform. Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and STC have topped the list with a combined strength of nearly 55,000 employees on LinkedIn. Saudi Aramco also takes the pole position across the entire MENA region. Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Southern Europe, Middle East, and North Africa, said: "Saudi Arabia is one of the largest labor markets in the region, and the companies that have topped our rankings can stand alongside some of the largest in the world as large and preferred employers. LinkedIn's mission of connecting the world's talent to opportunity has resulted in a positive corporate offering as well – connecting employers to employees. With this ranking, we see that strong employer brands will have employees open and proud about their employer even on professional networks." As LinkedIn has emerged as the leading global online professional networking platform, it has also become a preferred pool from which to source quality talent, even from among the ‘passive' candidates who have not actively applied for the job. Companies in Saudi Arabia and across the region are investing in building their ‘Employer Brand', which allows them to engage with past, current and prospective employees and establish and communicate a desirable workplace. The biggest benefit of an interconnected professional network is the opportunity for organizations to use their employee base as a source of prospective employees, given that an employee's network could comprise of other professionals with similar skills, experiences, and qualifications. Professionals are particularly drawn towards LinkedIn due to the opportunities for networking, learning, and advancement that the platform offers, and LinkedIn is expanding at the rate of two new members per second. Members follow companies and Influencers who are leaders in their fields and access information and updates that would help them advance their own careers and skills. Group membership on LinkedIn also enables members to interact with others with similar interests and backgrounds, and be a part of a global network of like-minded professionals. Membership from across the MENA region currently stands over 17 million members, and this has seen an increased rate of sign-up since LinkedIn launched Arabic as the 24th language option on the platform. A number of key Influencers have also emerged from across the Arab world, positioning regional leaders and achievers favorably alongside their global peers. — SG
