to think this is a stealth post or am I a miserable cow?

[Sternschnuppe]

I'm due to start a new job in June. It's a complete remote position and I'll be training for four weeks at the beginning with other new starters.

I don't know any of the people I'll be training with, but today I saw on LinkedIn that one of the HR people at the company who headhunted me liked a post of one of the new starters at the company.

It went along the lines of "I'm so happy and excited to start my role. During this pandemic, landing this dream role right after getting my university degree hasn't been easy. I'm feeling so blessed and can't wait for this new chapter in my life"

I was rolling my eyes to the back of my head when I read that and just thought how narcissistic and full of self-praise this person is to write this publically on LinkedIn, but am I being unreasonable?

Is this the new normal and I'm just being a miserable, bitter cow that should get with the times?

Isn't that the point of LinkedIn though? CV Facebook!

That's what I think...bit cringey to write what she has but I bet it's the norm these days.

[quote Whatshouldicallme]@DrSbaitso

Surely you must at least see the irony in USING ALL CAPS to express your opinion of how self-rightous my opinion is!! 😂😂😂

Good luck out there on LinkedIn OP!! 😬[/quote]
I do indeed. That was the point of it. It was irony. I was making fun of your attempts to exploit Covid and nameless other LinkedIn users because your need for moralistic validation couldn't stand alone.

Is this all you've got now?

Why did you start using LinkedIn?

@nongnangning

I'm probably not using it correctly. I basically reproduced a very short version of my CV on my profile. I didn't list any skills and I don't have a profile picture.

My new job I didn't get through LinkedIn though, I got it because the HR person found my CV online somewhere, probably on indeed.

I only created a LinkedIn because so many people nowadays say "can I add you to LinkedIn" so I thought it was sort of a modern necessity while job hunting.

It's probably a good idea to occasionally like my new company's posts on LinkedIn.

I don't want to go beyond that and post stuff praising my company as I find that quite cringe and obvious arselicking. Maybe it's what people need to do to get ahead, but it's just not "me".

I'm quite private though I general. I have a Facebook and Instagram, but I don't use it to post personal stuff at all these days. I didn't even make an announcement on social media when my son was born, I just sent pictures on WhatsApp to my close friends and family. I want to be considerate of other people's feelings, especially if they're going through a hard time and maybe aren't as lucky and I also think that I'm just a very small pebble in the universe and don't need to take myself too seriously and announce my life events/achievements to the whole world.

[quote Sternschnuppe]@nongnangning

I'm probably not using it correctly. I basically reproduced a very short version of my CV on my profile. I didn't list any skills and I don't have a profile picture.

My new job I didn't get through LinkedIn though, I got it because the HR person found my CV online somewhere, probably on indeed.

I only created a LinkedIn because so many people nowadays say "can I add you to LinkedIn" so I thought it was sort of a modern necessity while job hunting.

It's probably a good idea to occasionally like my new company's posts on LinkedIn.

I don't want to go beyond that and post stuff praising my company as I find that quite cringe and obvious arselicking. Maybe it's what people need to do to get ahead, but it's just not "me".

I'm quite private though I general. I have a Facebook and Instagram, but I don't use it to post personal stuff at all these days. I didn't even make an announcement on social media when my son was born, I just sent pictures on WhatsApp to my close friends and family. I want to be considerate of other people's feelings, especially if they're going through a hard time and maybe aren't as lucky and I also think that I'm just a very small pebble in the universe and don't need to take myself too seriously and announce my life events/achievements to the whole world.[/quote]
It's better to announce your achievements to the world via a content channel created for the purpose than it is to tear down others to the world via another channel, for not being as morally wonderful as you are.

@Sternschnuppe What you say above about how you could use LinkedIn is thoughtful - and would match what you say about your work self and persona. You are right, in the workplace, lots of people do now send LinkedIn requests etc so it is good to have at least something minimal on there. It almost seems as if, in some industries, if you are not on LinkedIn you don't exist!
You absolutely don't have to list your whole CV and skills on there - it is enough to have:
Stern Schuppe
Poster at MN (ie job title)
and you could even copy a short blurb off your new company's website to put into the About Me box, rather than your CV
If you do this it's enough for a new connection to search you and send you a link request.
The only thing I would consider is adding a photo - this does need to be a professional-looking headshot (ie not you in the bath, at your wedding etc). Or if you are really not comfortable with that, an avatar or icon that represents your industry. Eg if you work in the energy sector put a wind turbine. Just something that shows your profile is active.

What you say about WhatsApp and private social media is interesting and very relevant. I was having this same discussion earlier this week in RL with someone. That when social media came along we all jumped on board. Now, a few years later, we have realised the privacy implications of broadcasting everything but still want the usefulness of the social media functionality, so have all moved over to private WhatsApp group etc.

So it’s not for you. That’s fine. You’ve got your job. Mothball your profile and leave it to the people who want to use the platform in a different way to you. No need to sneer at them.

OP - I sympathise, but I don't blame the young enthusiasts.
Our fucking ridiculous "Town Hall" (festival of twattery bollockspeak) are characterised by people messaging to parrot the utter bollockspeak.
I blame the utter thundercunts in senior roles who spout bollocks and imagine they are "communicating their leadership vision" without actually saying anything.

Oh to be that young and enthusiastic! She'll have it knocked out of her soon enough I'm sure.

There's nothing narcissistic about what she has written. Her social media communication style is different to yours, that's all. Men have always self praised themselves, it's nice to see young women doing it after achieving what they've gone after. Men often do it without achievements. Some young people, especially women communicate in a 'gushing' style which is no less valid than those who don't. There's a level of knocking down young women a peg or two. I'd rather someone like her than some of the grads who are only there because their parents expect them to work, or think that they are doing the company a favour.
You are unusual in how you use social media, not her.

It would probably make me roll my eyes a bit too, but it's normal for young people to do this. Just come off linked in if you don't want to see it.
Check the meaning of "narcissistic" as it doesn't mean what you think it does.

Why would how you use Facebook be any reflection on how someone else uses LinkedIn?

Posts like those are a good way of staying on the radar of recruiters. Especially when it isn’t a dream position. I did a post like that on mine to remind my recruiters that I was in a short term position (wrote a piece of fluff about how I’m starting consulting) and have been inundated with offers since I started lol

@daisypond

Perhaps think how you would all feel if it were a child of yours who had posted that - would you be rolling your eyes then?

Well, yes, more so. I would hope that my child would know better not to post such guff on a professional website. My child is graduating this year and wouldn’t dream of saying such stuff on LinkedIn.

I still think that to label the post as 'guff' is a little harsh. She is clearly excited and enthusiastic and may have mis-judged the tone of her announcement a little, but it is relevant to building her Linked In profile so she is entitled to post it if she so wishes. I am sure her employers are happy to see such keenness and they are the ones who matter.

From replies on here it is obviously how people post on Linked In now. Just because you , I or either of our children wouldn't share this kind of post does not make it 'guff' or wrong.

I will never understand this British trait of self deprecation and putting people down for celebrating their achievements. It’s so fucking miserable.

It's the wording of the post I had an issue with. It was very "look at me"

It's on LinkedIn. "look at me" is quite literally it's raison d'etre.

A new chapter in their life one day they will read back their posts and be embarrassed by themselves. I think that's why some people make new fb accounts randomly, start seeing all the cheesy crap they used to post and don't want others seeing how stupid they used to sound.

@ShutUpAlex

I will never understand this British trait of self deprecation and putting people down for celebrating their achievements. It’s so fucking miserable.

It certainly is. Fortunately I’m sure the new hire’s employers don’t see it that way. She’s put herself ahead of the pack already in their eyes. I hope she maintains that enthusiasm and excitement, it will serve her very well in advancing her career. Cynical and downbeat people are so draining, she’ll be like a breath of fresh air.

@ShutUpAlex

I will never understand this British trait of self deprecation and putting people down for celebrating their achievements. It’s so fucking miserable.

It really is.

Very wanky but sadly that is normal these days. Adding the 'blessed' crap makes it even worse.

It's going to feel like a really loooong four weeks of training, if the others are young, enthusiastic and full of twat-speak. Good luck!

@ShutUpAlex

I will never understand this British trait of self deprecation and putting people down for celebrating their achievements. It’s so fucking miserable.

Couldn't agree more. That's when I roll my eyes at someone - especially when they're obviously trying to appear modest. Just drop your self-appreciation boast and go. Let others do the same in peace.

My new job I didn't get through LinkedIn though, I got it because the HR person found my CV online somewhere, probably on indeed.

So you weren't actually headhunted at all. I think you need to focus a bit more on your own self-awareness and less on your new colleague's!

@ShutUpAlex

I will never understand this British trait of self deprecation and putting people down for celebrating their achievements. It’s so fucking miserable.

I agree. It probably comes down to the ongoing class system. It's magnified a billion times on Mumsnet and I don't think it's a coincidence that there is also a class obsession on here. Closely related are the endless complaints of being "attention seeking", itself the most heinous crime even when you've chosen to see this person's content and it really hasn't done anyone any harm.

I would eye roll too but I think it’s quite normal. I have several colleagues on LinkedIn who would and have done this and they’re older with years of experience in their field and they would write a gushy post.