LinkedIn has become a modern rite of passage into adulthood. The moment you start searching for a way to earn money, the pressure to create a LinkedIn profile kicks in. It's brandished as the ultimate social media for professionals and a cornerstone of networking - a portal where employers and employees alike mingle to share common interests, life updates, and of course, job offers. After all, bills have to be paid.

However, while parading yourself as the best possible fit for that lucrative opening you have been pining for, it is easy to get lost and end up as your worst nightmare: a pretentious hustler. As such, here are some things you should be wary of if you want to keep a fresh, clean image on this tumultuous platform. 

Everyone can see you stalking them. No, really. They get notifications: Did you know LinkedIn notifies people when you view their profiles? Unless you enjoy the idea of someone knowing you've been snooping, switch your profile viewing to anonymous mode. Go to your Privacy Settings > Visibility > Turn Page Visit Visibility off.

Keep your CV to yourself, even when there's an option to upload it: The best way to communicate your skills is to tailor your CV for each job you're applying to, ensuring it meets the specific requirements of the role, instead of having it up on your LinkedIn. A great tip professionals tend to share is to customise your CV to better align your skills with the job description. Many companies use software to automatically filter out CVs that lack specific keywords. By tailoring your CV, you increase your chances of meeting those criteria and making it through the initial screening.

Figure out what you want to use LinkedIn for before you use it: LinkedIn is essentially just a social media platform for professionals. It's not just about landing a job — it's a powerful tool for networking and connecting with others in your industry. It allows you to find like-minded professionals, learn from their experiences, and build connections that might come in handy down the road. So use it to appeal to people in the industry you want to get into.

But then, what are you actually supposed to do on LinkedIn?

A great way to use LinkedIn is by building a community, and the first step to doing that is creating an appealing profile. Think of it like a firm handshake—it sets the tone for a strong first impression. A professionally crafted profile not only encourages the connections you want to check out your work but also increases the likelihood of receiving meaningful responses.

Another key advantage is visibility. HR professionals often use LinkedIn to search for candidates, and a well-structured profile that clearly showcases your skills and experiences can put you on their radar.

You can also leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field, follow companies you aspire to work with and stay updated on industry trends. Plus, seeing what others share can inspire ideas for your own content.

What does original LinkedIn content look like?

It can be anything—from sharing life updates and job experiences to showcasing hobbies you're passionate about. Remember, LinkedIn is essentially social media for professionals, so your content should reflect who you are in a way that resonates with your network.

Before posting, ask yourself: What does this post say about me? Do I have enough expertise to weigh in on this topic? Unlike other platforms, LinkedIn isn't a free-for-all for opinions. Posting about topics unrelated to your field—like a BBA graduate commenting on medical conspiracies—might raise eyebrows.

With that in mind, here are some ideas for what you can post:

Celebrate achievements: Landed a new job? Got a promotion? Participated in a competition? Post about it! Highlight what you learned or how it helped you grow. Even failures can make great posts—share what you learned and how you're applying those lessons.

Life updates: Moving to a new city? Share the journey. If you're in a creative field, even a viral TikTok or Instagram post can become a LinkedIn highlight. Just tie it back to analytics or lessons learned.

Showcase your hobbies: Believe it or not, hobbies make for engaging content. Whether it's cooking, gardening, or ghost-hunting (yes, really), share how these hobbies tie into skills like patience or focus.

Data and analysis projects: From political data to cricket stats, analysis projects are LinkedIn gold. Marketers can post about SEO trends or viral campaigns. The key is to share insights and post topics relevant to current trends.

Failures and lessons: Just like any other platform, even on LinkedIn, people love relatable content. Sharing your struggles can make you more authentic and approachable, and can turn your failures into memorable reads.

Focusing on topics you genuinely care about instead of trying to be something you're not is the key to success, whether it be on LinkedIn or in life. Everything about you doesn't have to be stiff, pretentious, or all about chasing money – it can be more than that. And showing others you're human, and not just another cog in the 'grindset' machine may give you the edge you need to stand out.