LinkedIn Isn’t For Hookups

Wikipedia describes LinkedIn as:

“LinkedIn is an American business and employment-oriented service that operates via websites and mobile apps. Founded on December 28, 2002, and launched on May 5, 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking, including employers posting jobs and job seekers posting their CVs.” 

Tinder, conversely, has a much different description:

“Tinder is a geosocial networking and online dating application that allows users to anonymously swipe to like or dislike other profiles based on their photos, a small bio, and common interests. Once two users have ‘matched,’ they can exchange messages.”

I believe that the purpose of these two social networks is clearly and obviously different; therefore, I was confused when a female teammate of mine shared with me her frustrations regarding LinkedIn. For confidentiality reasons, let’s call this teammate “Jan.”

Jan happens to receive multiple, inappropriate direct messages (DMs) weekly that range from compliments about her smile to more direct requests to date. Jan, nor her husband for that matter, appreciate these inappropriate messages and I find it bonkers that someone would use LinkedIn to try get lucky.

Now that we have established what LinkedIn is not used for, let’s remember what it should be used for and that’s connecting with talented professionals across the world to build a strong community and share opportunities.

That concludes today’s public service announcement…

Michael