Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

6 LinkedIn Errors To Avoid At All Costs

If you’re using LinkedIn to broaden your professional network or find a new job, here’s are a few LinkedIn errors you need to avoid

Sat May 15 2021

BusinessBecause
LinkedIn has become the go-to social media platform for networking and job-hunting. 

If you’re an active LinkedIn user, you’ll know how important it can be for fostering and sustaining professional connections, as well as keeping an eye out for new opportunities. Be sure to check out our LinkedIn career advice about how to get the most from the platform.

Poor LinkedIn etiquette, however, can be detrimental to your career profile, and may lose you more connections than it gains you. 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 and even commenting on their posts and activity. It is important, however, to draw a line about what is acceptable to post or comment. 

This includes getting into arguments on other people’s posts, one of the major LinkedIn errors. For one, consider the image you give off if you are constantly engaging argumentatively with what people post. Even if you do see something that you disagree with, it’s important that any response is measured and respectful.  4916f978cbddcff9c479b5486b41271e4423e3ef.jpeg

“Be respectful of other people's views. You shouldn't be the one going out there making comments that could offend,” insists Tom Lawrance (pictured right), head of careers services at Said Business School at the University of Oxford. 

You should also try to avoid things that may be politically controversial, even if these are strongly held beliefs. Consider whether this is something you’d happily state in the workplace or at a professional event. 

“You need to use judgement and common sense to think about where to draw the line,” Tom adds. 


2. Don’t brag about or exaggerate your achievements

One top piece of advice for LinkedIn is to be authentic: this includes 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. 

Things like posting your salary in your bio, how much you sold your last company for, or overambitious promises about what you can achieve if you’re hired: these can all appear a bit showy, and will make you seem inauthentic and maybe even deluded. 

Even worse would be exaggerating or lying about your achievements. You may not think so, but this will be obvious and easily verified by recruiters, who will certainly not be impressed when they find out you never sold your imaginary startup to Google at the age of 16.  


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

The LinkedIn Jobs tab can be a useful forum 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.

Research by emlyon business school found that people who excessively use LinkedIn to apply for jobs actually fare worse. This is on account of a scatter-gun approach of applying to as many roles as possible in the hope that some of them will get back.

“There is less chance of identifying those jobs that suit them best and they have less time to prepare their application well to maximise their chances to succeed,” says Nikos Bozionelos, professor of international human resources management at emlyon. 


4. Avoid business jargon and cliches 

“Proven visionary.” “Jack of all trades and a master of each.” “I eat flexible for breakfast.”

These are just a few examples of the business jargon you might read on LinkedIn posts or profiles. Just as phrases like ‘blue-sky thinking’ and ‘giving it 110%’ have been banished from the boardroom, it’s best to try and avoid fleshing out your LinkedIn profile with cliches and gambits designed to make you look more impressive. 

Recruiters will have seen it all, and will think you’re trying to hide something by using unnecessarily flowery language. 

Instead, try to talk about yourself and your strengths more candidly and honestly. State things clearly and plainly, rather than using confusing metaphors or analogies to describe them. 


5. Don’t ‘carpet bomb’ for connections

LinkedIn is a very important tool for expanding your network. As well as sustaining old connections, you can use it to make new connections: perhaps someone whose profiles you’re interested in, or who works at a company you’re interested in applying for.  5a901cca7998403b90b181c79eaeecea0854a03a.jpeg

What you shouldn’t do is randomly send out connection requests without thought or reason. “Don't carpet bomb 100 people asking them to connect and then get fed up when no one replies to any connection,” explains Margaret O’Neill (pictured right), head of careers services at the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School.

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

“It needs to be a conversation like it would be in person. Show that you're really interested in that person for something specific, whether it's a common school or a common hobby, or even a shared article that you've read,” Margaret says. 


6. Don’t be too personal

Be careful not to mistake authenticity for being overly personal. While it might be okay to post a photo of your pets or a meal you’ve made on Facebook or Instagram, these posts might not be so appropriate on LinkedIn. 

“I would always think about it as the place where you need to be conscious of your professional brand. So anything that doesn't align with that professional brand or image that you'd want to convey I would not post on LinkedIn,” says Bryn Panee Burkhart, senior associate director of alumni career services at MIT Sloan School of Management. 

This all goes back to remembering that 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. If you get this right, then you’ll be richly rewarded.  


Next Read:

Instagram Is The Most Popular Social Media Platform For Business School Candidates

Student Reviews

emlyon business school

Student

Verified

4/12/2023

On Campus

Intense courses, helpful professors

I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA. The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.

Student

Verified

18/03/2023

On Campus

Leadership in an amazing city

I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends

Student

Verified

23/11/2021

On Campus

A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.

You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.

Fabian

Verified

7/06/2020

MSc in Digital Marketing

Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.

Student

Verified

14/10/2018

Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs

EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.

Student

Verified

9/06/2020

Emlyon campus in Paris

It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.

Student

Verified

21/11/2022

On Campus

Entrepreneurship

Overall good content and good activities. Lack of administration but still ok. Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.

Student

Verified

25/05/2020

Good Reputation and International Business School

The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark. The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments. The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources. Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.

Edel

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

MSc International Hospitality Management

The best educational experience of my life so far! It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.

Student

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

Real networking opportunities

- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school. - going abroad to study luxury - being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM) - having such a great professional core

Daphné

Verified

14/07/2024

On Campus

white baccalaureate in the world of work

I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.

Student

Verified

11/09/2024

On Campus

Great

Pretty great ! Emlyon business school is a top educational institution known for its outstanding academic programs, nurturing environment, and state-of-the-art facilities. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership in students.

RECAPTHA :

04

2b

ca

30