Is LinkedIn Becoming Instagram for Overachievers?

Here’s a hot take: LinkedIn is starting to feel less like a networking platform and more like a tailored museum of personal branding. I log in and suddenly it’s a feed of CEO mindset quotes, aesthetic internship announcements, and people “honoured to have been selected” for literally everything.

Don’t get me wrong , I’m on there too. I’ve probably used the phrase “excited to announce” a fair bit myself. But lately, it’s giving “Instagram 2016“ energy. Everyone’s got their professional glow-up going, only instead of beach pics it’s grad and consulting roles. LinkedIn doesn’t have filters, but carefully edited captions about “growth” and “impact” instead.

It’s not that it’s fake (well, sometimes it is) people are definitely doing cool things. But there’s a vibe shift. The line between “I’m proud of this” and “please validate me” is getting blurrier by the day. And honestly, I get it. We’re all out here trying to stand out in the most casually impressive way possible, preferably in a single prepared post.

So what now? Maybe nothing. Maybe this is just what LinkedIn is now: a hyper-optimised version of your CV with a sprinkle of personal narrative and a hint of brag. But it’s kind of fascinating to see how we’ve all collectively agreed to turn job-hunting into a content strategy.

Still, I’ll keep scrolling, keep posting, and keep dropping the occasional “Well deserved!” in the comments. That’s just the game. But if you ever see me upload a headshot with a sunset and a caption about “growth”… please be concerned.

By Leo Bauer