Is LinkedIn the new Tinder?
BREAKING NEWS- This Just In! LinkedIn is the hottest new dating app!!!
Not really, although if I had a nickel for every time an older man used my new job update as an excuse to “personally congratulate me” in my dm’s, I’d have at least 50 cents.
Or if I had a dime for every comment on a post an ex situationship would make to reintroduce themselves into my life I’d have well… two dimes.
BUT that’s still weird, right? I never had an ex-anything comment on my Instagram posts as a way to remind me of their existence.
So it brings the question “Why LinkedIn?”
Applying to jobs is basically akin to swiping on online dating apps. You just submit your profile, and maybe add a little note (cover letter) if you’re really interested. Then they read your resume, and bio, and maybe look over some photos before deciding whether or not they want to set a date…
It's also never exclusive in the beginning. You're talking to other people. They're talking to other people. You're seeing what else is out there. They're seeing what else is out there. You're both just feeling around to see if it's going to be a mutual fit.
Now, before I begin throwing my semi-solicited advice at you I'd like to add I’ve also acted as a hiring manager on LinkedIn, so I have some insider knowledge and experience (not to brag, I know I'm pretty cool for a single unemployed chick). I’ve also been on dates before
Wait for it….
From dating apps. I know I truly am doing too much, some would say.
Basically, I've experienced many sides of the coin and am going to share some tips on what has worked for me in the past, present, and hopefully future;) I’m offering a new perspective on why we should treat LinkedIn like the new Tinder and approach job searching like dating.
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As a famous dating app would quote “It all starts with a …” photo.
I’m just going to go out and say it. It sucks how much our society bases its worth on outward appearances. But I would be doing you all a disservice if I said that how you present yourself in visual means on job application sites, dating apps, social media, etc, does not matter. Sadly it does. It shouldn’t. And your worth, by no means whatsoever, is based on how you look. However, if you want to achieve a certain goal, whether that's entering a certain career field, or attracting a certain type of person, it’s helpful for you to look the part.
In the job market, looking confident, successful, organized, etc, makes it a lot easier for the hiring manager to visualize you in that role- thus making you seem like a natural fit.
I'm a visual learner so the first thing I will look at when reviewing applicants is whether they have a photo. Second, is it a professional photo?
And, yes, I know whether or not someone has a photo or how someone looks does not affect whether or not they'll be good at their job. However, what a profile picture on LinkedIn tells me is that this person acknowledges the importance of first impressions. As someone who has worked in many startups, I understand that first impressions are key.
Therefore, if someone has a nice professional photo I'm subconsciously thinking “Oh they're self-aware and thinking a couple of steps ahead of those who don't have a professional photo or don't have a photo at all.”
With first appearances for dating apps, you'll want to have a similar mindset- In the sense that how you present yourself in those photos leads someone to want to swipe right or left on you. Your photos will be the first thing that catches someone's eye similar to LinkedIn.
Include photos that you would want to be the first impression of yourself. If you were to meet this person in the real world, what would you like him/her/them to notice?
I enjoy it when the photos show some aspect of a person’s personality. It offers more insight into a person other than what he or she looks like. For example, if you are a big hiker and want to attract a partner who loves the outdoors, you could include photos of yourself outside. When you're swiping through people, you might try to see if they have something similar on their profile referencing nature. It’ll be easier to recognize someone else’s love for nature simply by seeing that they are hiking (in their photos) rather than going through all the talking stages and all the social media stalking to learn about their hobbies.
Moreover, hobby photos also help even in the sense they can be used as a conversation starter if you all match! When you include hobbies that are actually meaningful or a fun bio to tie it together, it offers an in, like a quip for a joke. To allow myself to seem approachable online I'll normally have a joke or something funny and my bio. Having a good bio can also make or break some swiping right on you if they are on the fence.
It's the same on LinkedIn. A good bio can be your saving grace if other areas of your profile are lacking. The Job Profile Bio is a space to say a few-sentence sales pitch about yourself. You should highlight certain items that may be overlooked in the resume, and add your plans for growth in the future. You can include anything that people wouldn’t gather based on your work experience that you want them to know about you and your professional life.
For bios in general I’d say keeping things concise and classy is key. No need to hear a rambling bio about your transition from going door to door selling solar panels to working corporate communications for this brand-new pyramid scheme that radically improved your life. Or how your second cousin is the one who forced you to download this new dating app, two days after your on and off again girlfriend of five years cheated on you with you know who.
Speaking of super long-winded bios, I’d like to end this article with some items that immediately turn me away from a prospective candidate for either dating or job hunting.
It's up to you to figure out which is which.
Every other photo holding a dead animal
Every other photo in a Hawaiian shirt
“Here for a good time, not a long time”
Severe grammatical errors
And lastly, if it all seems too good to be true
