LinkedIn Influencers Are Lying to You

Let's cut the crap—those LinkedIn feel-good stories about overcoming 500 rejections to land in the C-suite are bullshit. These tales are spun to get likes and engagements, not to provide any real value to job seekers. Stop buying into the fairy tales.

What's Actually Happening

LinkedIn is infested with self-proclaimed "influencers" who have turned the platform into their personal stage for posting fake stories wrapped in a shiny, motivational coating. These people aren't interested in sharing wisdom; they're focused on growing their follower counts. Take a scroll through your feed, and you'll see countless posts starting with "I was rejected from 100 job applications but now I'm the VP of an international corporation." Spoiler alert: many of these stories are exaggerated at best, and in some cases, completely fabricated.

Consider the notorious influencer who claimed to have been rejected hundreds of times and is now sharing their "success formula" for a hefty fee. No names needed; you probably know someone similar. The truth is, many of these individuals were not rejected hundreds of times. They likely had some setbacks, sure, but who hasn't? The difference is, they saw a market in people's desperation and chose to capitalize on it, spinning yarns about hardship to up their own stock.

Why This Matters For You

Every time you fall for a fake story, you're wasting emotional energy on a narrative that doesn't apply to your situation. Worse yet, you might start to question your own capabilities. If they could turn it around after 500 rejections, surely you should be able to as well, right? This line of thinking can lead to feelings of inadequacy and burnout. The reality is that job searching is already a frustrating experience without adding unnecessary layers of self-doubt.

Job seekers should be focusing on actionable advice, not feel-good anecdotes that don't reflect the true complexities of finding the right job. You deserve honesty, not another sob story-turned-success tale that will likely never serve as a blueprint for your career.

What You Should Do About It

First, detox your feed. Unfollow or mute these so-called influencers. Focus on content from people who provide tangible advice: resume critiques, interview tips, networking strategies. Not sure where to start? Look for professionals who share their actual expertise, rather than those who peddle vague success stories.

Second, create a realistic job search plan. Set quantifiable goals and stick to them. Instead of worrying about being a VP at 30, focus on making incremental progress in your career. Identify companies that align with your values and actively seek to connect with real employees—not influencers—who work there.

Finally, dedicate time to honing your skills. It's okay if you're not the CEO of a Fortune 500 company right now. Focus on becoming a better version of yourself rather than chasing an influencer's facade of success. Sign up for courses, webinars, or workshops that actually teach you something new.

The Bottom Line

LinkedIn influencers are selling a dream that often isn't real. Don't let their bullshit stories dictate your sense of what’s possible. Focus on practical steps and stay grounded. In the arena of job hunting, reality always trumps fiction.

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Industry commentary from Hey, You're Hired.