7 Things You Really Should Stop Doing on LinkedIn (Job Seeker Series)
Posted on 26 April 2022
When it comes to networking in the professional world, there’s nothing quite like LinkedIn. As one of the world’s largest business platforms, it enables millions of users to forge connections on a global scale. If you’re from a professional background, chances are you’ve used LinkedIn to help you build work-related relationships, to showcase your CV and generally broadcast your professional image. Even if you’ve never touched a computer, you’ve probably been urged by a friend or acquaintance to “get on LinkedIn, man, you won’t regret it”. Like all digital platforms, however, it’s not without its share of problems, and it is precisely its reach and popularity that have made it the platform of choice for phishing attacks. In fact, in the first quarter of 2022, LinkedIn related lures accounted for 52% of phishing attempts worldwide. Of course, average LinkedIn users are not phishers, but you too might be inadvertently sabotaging and devaluing your own professional presence on the website. Here are 7 things you really should stop doing on LinkedIn.
Posting annoying memes and viral videos
Think of LinkedIn as a business conference. You wouldn’t (hopefully) walk around telling stories of a rehabilitated three-legged dog, or pulling out a picture of that ‘distracted boyfriend’ meme to discuss projected revenues. Leave the memes and the tear-jerking stories on Facebook!
Irrelevant polling
The ‘Poll’ feature on LinkedIn is a very useful tool. A thoughtful and well-considered poll can be great for gathering feedback on a new product or service or to gain insight into some facet of your industry. On the other hand, if you’re polling for the sole purpose of drawing attention to your profile, you could be doing more damage to your reputation. The unfortunate truth is that you’re not going to generate traffic by asking your contacts who they think will win the football match tonight, or what their favourite colour is. You’re more likely to be removed instead.
Leaving inflammatory comments all over the place
The main purpose of the LinkedIn platform is to allow people to connect professionally. You should not use it to air your personal grievances or to voice your displeasure. The ‘comments’ section should therefore be used with care, and only to provide constructive feedback or praise. Remember, you represent your company and your profession on LinkedIn. If you leave a trail of rudeness in your wake, you are damaging both your company’s reputation and your own.
Talking about politics or religion
One of the great things about LinkedIn — its worldwide audience — is also precisely the thing that can divide its users. With millions of people from thousands of different backgrounds converging on one space, the probability that you will come into contact with someone who has vastly different beliefs from you is very high. Politics and religion are naturally touchy subjects, and rightly so. Many people define themselves by their beliefs, and no one appreciates being told that their core values are wrong. The best course of action is to steer clear of these topics. It’s bad for business and bad for your reputation.
Using LinkedIn messaging to sell
Everyone has that one friend from high school who’s recently called up out of the blue with a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that’s really just a disguised pyramid scheme. Don’t be that friend! The LinkedIn messaging function has been used in recent times as a way to make sales pitches, by requesting to connect with a user and then sending them an automated message as soon as the request is accepted. This is a sure-fire way to get yourself removed from someone’s connections, and you’ll end up losing credibility. Instead, take the time to forge meaningful relationships. Your organisation will benefit from the genuine approach, and you’ll find that people will be more receptive. There’s no better way to sell your product or service than through word of mouth, and the recommendation of happy clients and customers.
Don’t obsess over your profile views
So someone has been looking at your profile. Big Woop. Even so, it’s never a good look to follow up on your profile views with something like “I see you’ve viewed my profile…”. That is not to say you shouldn’t establish a connection with them, especially if they’re someone you might be able to do business with. But do so without mentioning their trip to your profile. It makes you look obsessive and a little bit creepy.
No hook-ups, please
Dating in the workplace is one of those grey areas. If your company does not explicitly forbid office romances, it is still one of those things that you generally should think twice about. The same applies to LinkedIn. In recent years, LinkedIn has made the headlines for the unfortunate tendency of some of its users to hit up for hookups. While there are couples out there who owe their union to the platform, it’s not a good idea to scroll through profiles looking for your next romantic adventure. Why? It sullies the LinkedIn experience, and it destroys your chances of making career-building connections. If you’re lonely, use a dating app, or do it the old-fashioned way and strike up a conversation with someone at a bar.
