How to Act Natural on LinkedIn–When It Feels Anything But (LinkedIn Backlog | April 2025)

I’ve had a LinkedIn account for years, but up until recently, I always felt like I didn’t know how to navigate it or even what I was supposed to be doing on here.

Then one day, frustrated with the politics and chaos that plague other social media apps (but still not quite ready to break my scrolling habit — though I recently kicked it), I found myself on LinkedIn.

At first, I’ll be honest: it felt super performative. Like everyone was bragging, and I couldn’t measure up. I think a lot of young professionals avoid LinkedIn for that reason. It feels like a corporate talent show.

But if you look a little deeper, there’s more to it.

What I found was a community of people sharing their wins, their lessons, and their growth. Artists posting their work just because they’re proud. Job seekers asking for interview advice and sparking insightful conversations in the comments.

Once I started thinking of LinkedIn less like a resume and more like cool highlight reel meets group chat for professionals worldwide, everything changed.

You’ll find micro-communities within communities if you just start looking.

And if you're feeling unsure about becoming active here, don’t worry, you don’t have to start with a long post or your deepest thoughts. Start by commenting. React to the stuff that resonates. Ask questions. You’d be surprised how many genuine connections happen in the comments section.

Most importantly: stop thinking you have to sound “professional.” Be personable. Write how you talk. Share the things that matter to you, and don’t be afraid to start the conversations you wish someone else would.

I used to think if I wasn’t writing a full TED Talk on here, it wasn’t worth posting. Now I know there’s so much value in just being yourself and building a network that connects with you, not just your job title.

🗣 Let’s yap in the comments — what’s your favorite (or least favorite) thing about LinkedIn?