The LinkedIn Paradox: Balancing Valuable Content and Self-Promotion
LinkedIn, the platform meant to showcase our professional lives, increasingly resembles other social media, where likes and shares are paramount. This shift leads to content that emphasizes emotional impact and clickbait over substantive business value.
Why is this happening?
Platform Nature: LinkedIn serves both as a networking tool and a promotional platform. To increase visibility, we often compromise on content quality.
Algorithms: Like other platforms, LinkedIn’s algorithm favors highly engaging content, encouraging the creation of material that will provide us with engagement.
User Expectations: Some users primarily seek entertainment rather than deep analysis. Most use LinkedIn during their commute, breaks, or moments of boredom, which doesn’t lend itself to consuming long, demanding content.
Is This Really a Problem?
In my opinion, following Goodhart’s Law, any measure that becomes a target ceases to be a good measure. We focus on numbers, forgetting that viral posts might bring visibility but not necessarily job offers, client interest, or valuable contacts. For most users, these are the end goals, not merely garnering 100 likes. Visibility without value is not an ideal solution.
It might be idealistic, but I believe that in the long run, quality and authentic content prevail, even if they receive only 10% of the interactions that less valuable content might get in the short term.
Inspiration comes from Marcin Malec, who has built one of the most recognizable personal brands on LinkedIn. His posts perfectly address the critics who lament the lack of valuable content and the prominence of superficial posts. Marcin excellently combines personal experience and knowledge, growing his business while gaining interest. I also agree with the conclusion of the attached post: the simplest way to promote knowledge and showcase valuable content is to interact with and support creators who offer what you value. This is a more productive solution than complaining about content quality.
Between 4 and 6 Days: What Changes in Work Hours Await Us in Europe?
The debate over the optimal workweek is happening worldwide. In Poland, there is growing interest in shortening the workweek. Conversely, Greece has taken the opposite approach, allowing six-day workweeks in some sectors. How will these opposing trends affect the European job market?
Poland: Less Work, More Time?
Poles are among the hardest-working nations in Europe. In response, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy is working on a bill to reduce work hours. While details are still unknown, options include reducing daily work hours or introducing a four-day workweek.
Greece: More Work, More Money?
From July 1, employers in certain sectors can introduce a six-day workweek. The Greek government aims to reduce the size of the grey economy and address staffing shortages caused by demographic changes.
Why Such Different Approaches?
Economic Situation: In Poland, the priority is increasing productivity and economic competitiveness. In Greece, the focus is on stabilizing the job market and reducing the grey economy.
Demographic Changes: Both countries face an aging population, resulting in fewer active workers.
Wiz’s Approach to Employee Advocacy
Israeli cybersecurity startup Wiz made headlines by rejecting a staggering acquisition offer from Google. Wiz also stands out for its effective approach to employee advocacy, engaging employees in promoting the company on social media. How do they do it?
Ease of Posting: Employees receive ready-made graphics and post texts, making it easier to share content.
Contests: Wiz organizes regular contests. Clear goals and attractive prizes encourage employees to share their thoughts and experiences related to their work.
Community: Wizfluencers is a club for the most active employees. Club members have access to unique content, benefits, and special events.
Commuting is Taking Longer
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our approach to commuting. While many still work from home, some have returned to offices, often traveling long distances. The phenomenon of supercommuters—those who travel more than 144 kilometers to work—has become more noticeable, especially in the UK and the US.
We don’t have the latest data on the length of Poles’ daily commutes, but the trend is clear. Poles are spending more time on the road. According to tomhrm research, the average commute time increased from 38 minutes in 2015 to 41 minutes in 2020.
An interesting article on Noizz describes the experiences of those who spend a lot of time commuting to work.
How About Moving to Tasmania and… Walking Wombats?
Tasmania, an island and an Australian state, has found an interesting way to promote tourism—unpaid jobs for tourists, who can care for wombats, sort oysters, or search for paranormal phenomena. Imagine a similar campaign promoting Polish regions. What unique job offers could we propose to tourists in Poland?
AI Recruiter: Revolutionizing Software Engineering Recruitment by micro1
Startup micro1 has developed an AI that conducts job interviews for developer positions.
How does it work? Candidates enter their skills, triggering an algorithm that generates personalized theoretical and practical questions. An interview with AI follows, allowing candidates to showcase their competencies. Finally, they receive a detailed report assessing their skills.
Why is this important? With the overwhelming number of applications for a single job posting, companies often choose candidates arbitrarily. Micro1 promises to change this, enabling an objective assessment of many more candidates automatically.
Is it safe? Micro1’s creators assure that the system is continuously improved, and its decisions are only suggestions for recruiters. The final decision always rests with a human.
What do candidates think? In the cited article, most candidates seem to view the new solution positively. They highlight that AI interviews are less stressful and allow them to better present their skills.
Have you come across an interesting article, podcast, or book that you think might interest me? Let me know in a private message on LinkedIn!
Until next time,
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