As the premier platform for professional networking, LinkedIn serves as a vital tool for job seekers, career development, and business connections. However, with the rise of LinkedIn influencers and the growing trend of unsolicited sales pitches, certain behaviours can undermine your professional image. Here’s a rundown of what to avoid to keep your profile polished and professional.
Understanding the ‘Ick’ Factor
The term ‘ick’ refers to an unsettling or repellent feeling you get when someone’s actions make you uncomfortable. On LinkedIn, these ‘icks’ can detract from your professional persona. To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve outlined ten key LinkedIn missteps that can impact your job hunt.
1. Adding Qualifications to Your Name
Your LinkedIn name should be just that—your name. Avoid appending qualifications such as ‘BA’ or ‘MBA’ to your title. While these credentials are important, they should be highlighted in the appropriate sections of your profile rather than cluttering your name field.
2. Instant Sales Pitches
LinkedIn messaging is an effective way to connect, but make sure your outreach is authentic. Avoid sending lengthy, impersonal sales pitches to new connections, as this can be off-putting and lead to your message being ignored or flagged as spam.
3. Adding Everyone to Your Network
Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Be selective with your connection requests. Adding people you don’t know personally can appear disingenuous. Focus on building connections with individuals you have met or have a legitimate reason to connect with.
4. Overusing Buzzwords
Buzzwords like ‘sales ninja’ or ‘digital rockstar’ can come across as insincere. Opt for clear, straightforward language to describe your skills and achievements. Simplicity often conveys competence better than jargon.
5. Posting Selfies
LinkedIn is not the platform for casual selfies. Reserve personal photos for platforms like Instagram. Use LinkedIn for professional images, such as those from conferences or work events, and avoid selfies or unrelated personal photos.
6. Sharing Inspirational Quotes
While inspirational quotes are well-meaning, they don’t add significant value to your professional profile. Phrases like ‘strive for progress, not perfection’ may not resonate with your network. Focus instead on sharing content that is relevant to your industry or professional growth.
7. Engaging in Toxic Positivity
Promoting an overly positive outlook on challenges in the workplace can come off as dismissive of genuine issues. Instead of encouraging a ‘winners mindset’ universally, acknowledge the complexities of workplace struggles and offer support where possible.
8. Oversharing Personal Details
It’s fine to show personality on LinkedIn, but avoid oversharing personal details. Balance professionalism with a touch of personal insight to maintain a positive impression without crossing boundaries.
9. Posting Multiple Times a Day
Frequency matters. Over-posting on LinkedIn can diminish the impact of your content and potentially annoy your connections. Aim to post one to two times a day to keep your profile active without overwhelming your network.
10. Performative Liking and Commenting
Engage genuinely with your network’s posts rather than performing superficial interactions. Over-liking and commenting in hopes of reciprocation can appear insincere and diminish your credibility.
By steering clear of these LinkedIn icks, you can maintain a professional image and enhance your job search effectiveness.