LinkedIn is not the place to air grievances about your job search.
Finding a new job is no-doubt a frustrating experience. However, your LinkedIn is not the place air grievances about your job search and how companies treat you in the interview process.
Your LinkedIn profile has a large influence on what people think about you as a candidate. If a recruiter visits your profile and it’s filled with negative posts and comments that bash the hiring process, companies, etc., then what does that say about you as a candidate?
Every post and comment you make on LinkedIn is a digital paper trail that can impact the first impression recruiters, hiring managers, and your potential colleagues may form about you.
Instead of using your LinkedIn profile to express your frustrations, do this instead:
1. Create a job search journal to process your thoughts and feelings
Consider using a physical or digital journal to write down your frustrations so you can get them off your chest. Even if you already journal outside of your professional life, creating a journal specific to your professional activities can help you create some separation between your life and your job. When the temptation arises to write a post or comment on LinkedIn, instead, consider writing in your job search journal first so you can process your thoughts privately versus on a public forum.
2. Find a trusted community of like-minded people who are in your shoes
When facing adversity or the challenges that can arise in a job search, it’s easy to feel alone and as though you are the only person who’s had such a hard time finding a job. Though feelings of shame and embarrassment might bubble up in your journey to finding your next role, you should not let this stop you from connecting with others.
Online groups for job seekers and professionals in general are a great way to connect with people in a less public forum that the LinkedIn feed. In a recent article one job seeker, Lauren, 34, said ‘”Facebook Groups give you an outlet to connect with like-minded people in a less formal way—even reading other people’s questions provides an opportunity to self-reflect.”
Though not a replacement for therapy, professional groups can help you feel less alone, more confidence, and even encouraged.
3. Focus on what you can control in your job search
When their job search isn’t going well, many professionals are quick to identify all the reasons why the odds might be stacked against them. For example, candidates routinely complain on LinkedIn about the quality of job descriptions, how hiring is broken, and what they would change in hiring if they were in charge. However, spending time and mental energy on these topics is not going to help you get hired! If you’re passionate about advancing change in the hiring process, then consider pursuing that after you secure a new job.
Though complaining on LinkedIn or pointing out injustices in the job search can feel good in the moment, it likely won’t get you closer to landing a new role and is largely a distract from more important activities such as optimizing your LinkedIn profile, building authentic relationships, or refreshing your resume.
