6 LinkedIn errors to avoid at all costs

LinkedIn has for some time been the go-to social media platform for networking and job-hunting. 

Active users understand how important the plaform can be for fostering and sustaining professional connections, as well as keeping abreast of new opportunities. If you're seeking to take new steps in your professional life, LinkedIn should be part of your strategy. 

Poor LinkedIn etiquette, however, can be detrimental to your career and personal brand, and may even leads you to lose more connections than you gain. Here are a few LinkedIn errors to avoid at all costs.

1. Avoid arguments and potentially offensive posts

Part of sustaining an active presence on LinkedIn is engaging with other users, through commenting on their posts and activity or reposting content. It is important, however, to draw a line about what is acceptable to post or comment. 

This ranges from getting into arguments on other people’s posts to commenting something that could be seen as controversial. Even if you do see something that you disagree with, it’s important that any response is measured and respectful. Consider whether this is something you’d happily state in the workplace or at a professional event. 

“Always remember, every post or even two-word comment you make, can be viewed, and can be judged. So, ensure it represents you today and how you hope to be viewed in the future,” recommends David Simpson (pictured), recruitment and admissions director of MBA and Master in Finance at London Business School.

2. Don’t brag about or exaggerate your achievements

One top piece of advice for LinkedIn is to be authentic; this is especially true in the age of AI. Being authentic can include posting things you’re interested in as well as relevant accomplishments in your life or career. What you should try to avoid, however, is overexaggerating or bragging about your own achievements. 

“Applicants lose credibility when they embellish their experience, exaggerate a title, or include information that is inconsistent with their resume. Everything on the profile should be something they can explain naturally to a recruiter or admissions team,” explains Karima Belkicema (pictured), head of Masters of Science career development at ESCP Business School.

Things like posting your salary in your bio or how much you sold your last company for should be avoided at all costs. Equally, overambitious promises about what you can achieve if you’re hired can come across as inauthentic or showing off.

Even worse would be exaggerating or lying about your achievements, especially as this will be obvious and easily verified by recruiters.

“It is very obvious when roles are inflated, or AI has been used to exaggerate what you do or have achieved. You will quickly come undone in your first interview or direct communication, so be authentic,” says David.

3. Don’t adopt a scattergun approach to job hunting

The LinkedIn jobs tab can be a useful channel for spotting new opportunities. But be careful how you approach searching for jobs here: applying for too many may actually harm your chances of getting employed.

Instead, refine your search to roles that you are genuinely interested in, and which suit your experience and expertise. It’s also worth staying up-to-date with career opportunities in your target industry by engaging with companies and people who work at them. You may even come across a job listing that isn’t featured in the LinkedIn jobs tab.

“LinkedIn can help applicants demonstrate a genuine knowledge and interest in their target industry by following relevant companies and professionals, engaging appropriately with industry-related content, and developing connections within the sector,” says Philippe Thomas (pictured), Master in Finance academic director and associate professor of corporate finance at ESCP Business School.

4. Avoid business jargon and cliches 

LinkedIn is full of cliches—which, if you use them, will likey prevent you from coming across as authentic. It’s best to try and avoid fleshing out your LinkedIn profile with jargon and gambits designed to make you look more impressive. 

Recruiters have seen it all, and will think you’re trying to hide something by using unnecessarily flowery language. Instead, try to talk candidly about yourself and your strengths. State things clearly and plainly, rather than using confusing metaphors or analogies to describe them. 

“Do not use over-the-top language when explaining roles and achievements. Readers shouldn’t need to translate your writing to understand what you really do,”says David.

There are also a number of phrases and buzzwords commonly associated with AI that you should avoid. 

“One of the biggest LinkedIn mistakes applicants make is treating the platform as a digital resume filled with AI-generated content, rather than a professional space for relationship-building and knowledge sharing,” says Professor Himanshu Rai (pictured), director of Indian Institute of Management Indore. “Profiles that contain vague descriptions, exaggerated achievements, inconsistent information, or excessive buzzwords can undermine credibility.”

5. Don’t send too many connection requests

LinkedIn is an important tool for expanding your network. As well as sustaining old connections, you can use it to make new ones: perhaps someone whose profile you’re interested in, or who works at a company where you’re looking to apply. 

What you shouldn’t do is randomly send out connection requests without thought or reason. 

"One of the biggest mistakes is treating LinkedIn simply as a numbers game: sending large numbers of connection requests with no context, immediately asking strangers for favors, or using generic messages that have clearly been copied and pasted,” says Marwa Hammam (pictured), executive director of the Master in Finance at Cambridge University Judge Business School.

You should avoid using the same formulaic approach when messaging everyone. Instead, try and tailor it specifically to that person. 

6. Don’t be too personal

Be careful not to mistake authenticity for being overly personal. Unlike many other social media platforms, LinkedIn is a professional forum. Ultimately, anything that you comment, post, or share on there should reflect the image you want to give off as a professional, especially if you’re looking to stand out to new employers. 

“Applicants should also exercise discretion when sharing opinions, discussing confidential information, or commenting on sensitive professional matters,” says Professor Rai. “Every digital interaction contributes to how others perceive an individual.”

“Don’t try too hard to be quirky and out there,” adds David. “However informal some work environments are, everyone expects professional and personable communication.”