I am beyond excited and grateful to announce that I have taken the next step to match the accomplishments of my peers. But at what cost? My sanity, maybe. My self-esteem, definitely.
Every day I log in to LinkedIn to leave comments on other’s posts, inform people of my career development and connect with mentors, but for me and many other business students, LinkedIn has now taken on another role. LinkedIn is no longer just a platform made to help people find careers and inspiration, it is now a battleground for young people to compete for the most recognition – like most other social media platforms.
Owned by Microsoft, LinkedIn is the premier career social network with over 260 million users in the United States and over 1.1 billion users worldwide. Of this total, Generation Z and Millennials make up 76% of users, making it a popular social media choice for young people seeking jobs.
While LinkedIn is a powerful tool for companies and individuals to “develop their brand”, the negative effects of the platform have started to cripple confidence and sew insecurity into peoples’ minds, much like what we’ve seen with Instagram and other platforms.
For new graduates and people looking to climb the corporate ladder, the competition is already enough. Multiple studies have shown that unemployment rates are rising, and the duration of unemployment is extending. Combined with a volatile economic environment and the increased cost of owning a home, the pressure is on for young people.
We’ve already seen this stress trending on social media, so much so that it has a name: “LinkedIn Envy.” LinkedIn has caused people to feel immense anxiety, negative physical effects and an overall feeling of despair.
Some might say that while these symptoms are prevalent on other platforms, they are even more pronounced on LinkedIn. On Instagram, Snapchat, X and Facebook, users disguise their successes and happiness as efforts to share their life or keep their friends updated. On LinkedIn, there is no façade. LinkedIn users are generally there to brag. They might throw in a “thank you” and “grateful” to act humble, but everyone else on the platform knows the etiquette and reason why they are posting. They want to be seen and envied, both inside and outside of their existing circle.
LinkedIn has lost its original purpose as a place where people can lift each other up and recommend avenues for success. Now, LinkedIn is more like a track race. We are constantly in competition, whether we know it or not. It isn’t enough to get accepted to college or get an internship from a major company. To feel merely adequate, students now feel like they have to get into the best college and get an internship in the best city. The competition is unhealthy and dangerous, but it is irresistible for so many of us.
LinkedIn may be harmful but it’s nearly impossible to avoid it entirely, as it is a vital part of the job search. With this in mind, it is our responsibility to use LinkedIn mindfully. It’s easy to look at other’s successes and question your potential. It’s easy to feel inadequate when your peers seem to be moving so much faster than you. The truth is that giving into these feelings will not hand you your dream internship. Instead, holding onto hope and doing the best we can is essential. Stop competing with others and start competing with yourself. After all, no one will remember your “excited to announce” post. What matters is the meaningful relationships that you made along the way. Those relationships, whether career-related or not, are what will truly help you achieve your dreams.