If using LinkedIn makes you feel like an imposter at work, here’s how to cope
- Written by Sebastian Oliver, Lecturer in Digital & Data Driven Marketing, University of Southampton
When it comes to professional social media, LinkedIn, with its billion-plus members, stands unrivalled. The platform for career updates, networking and job searches has effectively become a requirement in the professional world. It can be a great tool to help you progress in your career. But, just like other social media[1], using LinkedIn can lead to feelings of envy, comparison and self-doubt.
As you scroll through your feed, you may see posts boasting about promotions, awards, successes with customers and other career wins. Between these might be articles about professional development – a reminder that you could be earning qualifications, improving your skills or otherwise doing more. It shouldn’t be a surprise if this all makes you start worrying about your own career success.
This is what my colleagues and I explored in our research[2] on people’s feelings about using LinkedIn. We found that both browsing your feed and sharing professional achievements can lead to people experiencing imposter syndrome[3]. A common anxiety, imposter syndrome stems from a fear of being exposed as a fraud in the workplace.
3. Be mindful of your network
On LinkedIn or other social networks, the people you follow and the communities you engage with can affect your mindset. While following industry leaders and other successful people can be insightful and motivating in its own way, the perspectives and encouragement of those closer to you can offer a balanced view of your accomplishments.
It is important to maintain connections with closer friends or others who will be supportive and understanding of your professional journey, both online and in real life, in your personal life or at work[12].
Additionally, nurturing connections with mentors, industry peers, or colleagues whose work and ethos resonate with you can be beneficial. Engage in meaningful conversations, seek advice and contribute thoughtfully within these circles. Such interactions provide a sense of camaraderie and also offer opportunities for learning and growth, while potentially minimising the feeling that you are an imposter.
4. Stay authentic to yourself
Do your best to present your accomplishments on LinkedIn authentically. Avoid the temptation to embellish or exaggerate your successes. This can lead to feeling inauthentic[13] and could even make you feel like you’re skewing the truth.
Celebrate your achievements while also acknowledging the challenges and struggles you’ve faced. Sharing both successes and setbacks[14] can humanise your professional journey. Genuine representation can also help others relate to your experiences, creating a more meaningful and credible professional presence.
References
- ^ social media (journals.sagepub.com)
- ^ our research (eprints.soton.ac.uk)
- ^ imposter syndrome (theconversation.com)
- ^ This article is part of Quarter Life (theconversation.com)
- ^ How to know if your employer is serious about helping you find purpose in your work (theconversation.com)
- ^ Think you’ll never retire? Here are four things young people can do to prepare (theconversation.com)
- ^ What millennials and gen Z professionals need to know about developing a meaningful career (theconversation.com)
- ^ Studies show (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- ^ hustle culture (www.bbc.com)
- ^ direct resolution (doi.org)
- ^ Lemono/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
- ^ or at work (hbr.org)
- ^ feeling inauthentic (doi.org)
- ^ successes and setbacks (theconversation.com)
