10 More Things Not to Do On LinkedIn: What to Do Instead

This article is a follow-up to one I wrote in April 2025, in which I suggested 10 things not to do on LinkedIn. I figured I'd keep the ball rolling and add 10 more Dos and Don'ts to better help LinkedIn members who want to strengthen their LinkedIn presence. I apologize if I offend anyone, but this comes from the goodness of my heart. Here we go:

11. Don't try to accumulate as many connections as possible, believing that your network will draw hiring authorities like water attracts mosquitoes. A very large network shows a lack of focus, not intention.

✅ Do this instead: Be selective in the people you invite to your network, and the invites you accept. I'm not saying you have to know every person whom you invite to your network. After all, the goal of networking is to get to know new people. The same applies to the people who want you to join their network. Do you share commonalities? Can you be of mutual assistance? These are the people you want in your network. One of my clients said she has 71 connections. This is not a healthy network.

12. Don't ghost people. Ghosting is still a thing. Andrew Seaman, senior editor at LinkedIn, thought it was such an important topic that he interviewed me for an article in 2022 about it (https://tinyurl.com/y2pznsfh). I told him that ghosting goes both ways; job candidates get ghosted, and hiring authorities get ghosted.

✅ Do this instead: If you are a job seeker, and a recruiter who you’re connected with doesn’t get back to you when they said they would, don't immediately call foul. There are reasons beyond their control why recruiters or other hiring authorities are not getting back to you. They might be waiting on their boss or client to make a decision, or they might be juggling multiple tasks and can't come up for air. And yes, it could be rudeness on their part, but write that off as a bad apple in the bushel.

13. Don't post and ghost. Speaking of ghosting, if I take the time to comment on what you've written, I'd like a response to my comment. I've written about this in the past, but I think it's worth repeating.

✅ Do this instead: One hundred percent of the time, I'll respond to my 1st degree connections' comments. I'll occasionally respond to my 2nd and 3rd degree connections. Admittedly, I need to be better about giving love to my 2nd and 3rd degrees. Ergo, I'll make it my goal to respond to them when they comment on this and future articles/posts. One thing I've learned is not to post unless I have ample time to respond. Someone excellent at responding to my comments is Kevin D. Turner . Probably the most important reason to respond to your supporters is to continue the conversation and build community.

14. Don't listen to the naysayers about your Open for Work banner. The ongoing debate of whether you come across as desperate or simply announcing that you're available is getting old.

✅ Do this instead: Listen to recruiters like Amy Miller who assure you that the banner DOES NOT make you look desperate. And she's not the only hiring authority that doesn't decry the Open to Work banner. To them, the banner alerts them to hungry, active job seekers—and like Amy says, if a hiring manager happens upon you, they won't have to pay an agency recruiter fee. Read her article that talks in greater detail about this: https://tinyurl.com/2use8fdb

15. Don't expect recruiters to find you a job. One thing recruiters hate is when they get DMs or emails from people asking recruiters if they have any jobs available. Another pet peeve recruiters have is when candidates become angry when their applications are rejected because they're not qualified.

✅ Do this instead: Before sending a DM or email to a recruiter, make sure they're trying to fill a role. If they are trying to fill a role, make sure you're qualified for it. And in your message, explain why you are qualified for the role with clear, relevant accomplishments. Some jobs have stricter requirements than others. For example, Marisol Maloney is a recruiter in the military sector, where meeting 100% of the basic requirements is mandatory. Doubt what I say, read a post of hers that proves it: https://tinyurl.com/3rnthn84

16. Don't use AI to write all your content. I know there's a temptation to tell ChatGPT to write your About section, comments to a post, or even an entire article, such as: "Write an article on 10 More Things Not to Do On LinkedIn: What to Do Instead." 😁 But by doing this, you lose credibility.

✅ Do this instead: Write the entirety of what you share on LinkedIn and list on your profile, and if you need an LLM to proofread it, that's fine. Large language models like ChatGPT have a look and feel to them. This is a giveaway to recruiters who are tired of looking at similar resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters. When I'm asked if I think it's "cheating" to let ChatGPT or the others write content for their LinkedIn profile, I tell them as long as they've written a sound resume to begin with, there's nothing wrong with letting an LLM proof or polish up what's already a strong document.

17. Don't dismiss AI. Conversely, don't let your sense of pride or your morals get in the way of using an LLM of choice help you with your LinkedIn campaign. With full disclosure, I will run this article through ChatGPT to proofread it.

✅ Do this instead: Use AI for research purposes. For example, if you're in event planning and looking to go from corporate to nonprofit, ask your LLM to define your strategy in terms of who you should target as an audience. ChatGPT provides some pretty good tips, such as: understanding your transferable skills (it can help you with that), quantifying your work, updating your profile, and internalizing your greatness, to name a few. Another way AI can help you is by determining which people you should connect with. Our event planner should target decision makers, peers in their industry of choice, vendors, and alumni.

18. Don't sit on the sidelines. Another way to say it is, "Don't be a spectator." All too often, I see people join LinkedIn and don't participate. This defeats the purpose of being part of the community.

✅ Do this instead: I'm not suggesting you have to share posts, articles, videos, etc. I am suggesting that your opinion matters. At the very least, react and comment on what someone writes. No one will bite you. As a job seeker, your goal is to stay top of mind, and the best way to do this is by commenting on what hiring authorities write. Follow them, and when you feel ready, invite them to join your network. One of my connections, Erica Reckamp , made it her goal to comment on what others write until she began sharing illuminating posts and articles. Her writing impresses me.

19. Don't forget to update your profile. For my Is Your LinkedIn Profile Strong Enough webinar, I get on LinkedIn and critique LinkedIn profiles, talking about the good and bad...but mostly the good. There is one profile—which shall go unnamed—that hasn't updated its profile since they and I worked together.

✅ Do this instead: Update your profile every three to six months. After you've achieved an accomplishment, write it in your Experience section. If your photo is 10 years old, have a new one taken by a friend with a good camera. Check your links. (I was thoroughly embarrassed when a follower alerted me to a faulty link to my newsletter.) Refresh your Headline to conform to your goals. Lastly, update your work history. I knew a gentleman who didn't end his employment at a certain company. When a year rolled around, I received notice of his anniversary. When I congratulated him, he told me he had left there and taken a new position.

20. Don’t just upload your work history and vanish. Too many job seekers believe that if they simply build a great profile, recruiters will find them. While having a complete and compelling profile is essential, it's just a start.

✅ Do this instead: Reread #8. LinkedIn’s algorithm favors activity, meaning that the more you engage, the more you’re seen. If you're not liking, commenting, or posting, you're invisible to most of your network (and to recruiters who rely on signals of activity and relevance). Visibility comes from engagement. Comment on posts from people in your industry. Share your take on a relevant trend. Ask a question that sparks conversation. Every time you engage, you expand your reach and invite opportunity. A great profile opens the door; your activity invites people in.

LinkedIn is more than an online résumé—it’s a living, breathing platform that rewards consistency, curiosity, and community. These Dos and Don’ts aren’t meant to shame anyone but to guide you toward more authentic and effective engagement. Whether you're in an active job search or simply looking to grow your network, showing up with intention makes all the difference. Your voice matters. So, take up space, add value, and be part of the conversation. The opportunities will follow.

Did you miss the first 10 dos and don'ts? No problem, read them here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-things-do-linkedin-what-instead-bob-mcintosh-uebse/

If you have any don'ts to share, write them in the comments.