Does LinkedIn Brainwash You Into Hating Your Job?
Health & Wellness • Software Development Career Advice
LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with people, but it can also cause serious mental health challenges - and even lead to burnout.
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How to Stay Calm on LinkedIn
LinkedIn can be one of the most unhealthy places for your sense of peace if you start comparing yourself to all the other people on there. Have you spent any time on LinkedIn lately and found yourself really stressed out afterward? Well, you’re not alone. I coach a lot of tech professionals, and many of them struggle with exactly this issue. In this episode, I’d like to share some strategies I’ve learned that can reduce your stress and help you maintain much better mental health while using LinkedIn, whether you need it to find a job or just to network with people.
If you’re trying to use LinkedIn and you’re struggling with it, or you’re not sure how to build a strong network to land your next job, I actually have a career coaching package that helps with exactly this. I’ve used it with quite a few clients over the years, and they’ve gotten pretty good results. If that sounds interesting to you, check it out.
Here are five ways to stay calm on LinkedIn, use it effectively, and avoid letting it create anxiety for you.
Avoid Accomplishment Signals
Many people use LinkedIn to brag about their accomplishments: “I just sold my first company at 22!” or “I just got a huge promotion and a giant pay raise!” While it’s understandable to share achievements, seeing these posts can give you a sinking feeling that your career isn’t going as well as you’d like. To avoid this, bookmark your profile page on your desktop, so when you go to LinkedIn, you don’t land on the homepage filled with others’ accomplishments. If you have the LinkedIn app, consider uninstalling it unless you absolutely need it for your job.
The saying, “It’s better to compare yourself to where you were yesterday than to others,” is particularly true on LinkedIn. It’s easy to get caught up in comparisons that steal your peace. Instead, focus on your growth and progress, and avoid scrolling through others’ achievements.
Produce Content on LinkedIn, but Don’t Consume
Gary Vaynerchuk, a well-known social media influencer, often talks about the importance of producing content rather than consuming it. When you’re online, most people are there to consume content—watching videos, reading articles, etc. However, the real value comes from producing your own content. Whether it’s creating posts, writing articles, or sharing your own experiences, producing content can help you grow your audience, influence, and even your career.
On LinkedIn, be intentional about your time. Instead of mindlessly browsing, use LinkedIn to post your own content, connect with others, and search for specific opportunities or topics. This way, you’re actively contributing to your network rather than passively consuming content that might make you feel inadequate.
Avoid Engaging in Rage Bait
Rage bait refers to content designed to provoke anger and emotional reactions. On LinkedIn, this might look like posts that criticize the tech industry or management practices. While it’s tempting to engage, doing so can harm your professional reputation. Potential employers, clients, or colleagues can see your activity, including the posts you’ve commented on or liked. This visibility might not work in your favor if it’s clear you’re frustrated with the industry.
To avoid this, resist the urge to engage with rage bait. Focus on maintaining a professional presence on LinkedIn by avoiding negative or controversial discussions, which can detract from the positive image you want to project.
Don’t Attend Unjustified Meetings
If you’re active on LinkedIn, you’ve likely received unsolicited messages inviting you to “hop on a quick Zoom call” for potential collaborations or job opportunities. While some of these might be legitimate, many are not worth your time. Before agreeing to any meeting, ask the person to clarify why they see value in connecting. This pre-qualification step can save you from wasting time on calls that don’t align with your goals.
This approach is particularly helpful when dealing with recruiters or hiring managers. Politely ask for more details before committing to a conversation. This way, you can avoid unnecessary meetings and keep your LinkedIn interactions stress-free.
Keep Your LinkedIn Network Relevant
It can be tempting to accept every connection request you receive on LinkedIn, but this can lead to an overwhelming and less useful network. A large network often results in more spam and irrelevant notifications, which can increase your anxiety and reduce your productivity on the platform.
Instead, focus on building a network that is relevant to your career goals. Connect with people you’ve worked with in the past, those you currently work with, or those with whom you have intentional plans to collaborate in the future. By keeping your network small and meaningful, you’ll reduce noise and make LinkedIn a more positive and productive space.
Conclusion
If LinkedIn has been a source of stress for you, or if you’re struggling to get your next job and need help with your profile or network, consider checking out my career coaching package. It’s designed to help you build a strong LinkedIn presence and connect with the right people to advance your career.
About the THRIVING TECHNOLOGIST show
On YouTube and all major podcast networks, Jayme shares teamwork and leadership strategies, guidelines for healthy company culture, and stories about real projects so you can have a sustainable career in the software industry.
Jayme Edwards
A family man and veteran of nearly 40 software projects, Jayme experienced many wins and losses over his career as an architect and consultant.
Now he's coaching software developers, managers, and business owners to overcome challenges in the IT industry - so they keep growing.