LinkedIn is our favorite social network

In recent years, LinkedIn, traditionally regarded as the ultimate professional networking platform, has undergone a significant shift in its user base. While it was initially frequented mainly by professionals and executives, Gen Z has started to embrace the platform, treating it almost like an entertainment app.

This shift is not coincidental: Gen Z has grown up in the digital age and is looking for new opportunities to build their careers, connect with professionals, and network in a space that isn't as informal as other social media platforms. LinkedIn has become a place to showcase professional skills, seek internships, consulting opportunities, and jobs, while also developing skills and keeping up with business and innovation trends. The platform’s evolution toward more dynamic and visual content, such as short videos and interactive posts, has made it more appealing to younger users, who are looking for a blend of professional and social opportunities in one place.

What Do We Know About LinkedIn?

LinkedIn can be described in many ways, but being "cool" is rarely one of them. As a work-focused social network, it has a reputation for professional connections and a tone that is far from entertaining… so why do we spend so much time on it? "Gen Z is leading networking on the platform, creating more connections month after month," said Suzi Owens, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn, in an interview with Fast Company. Younger generations in the U.S. are growing their networks at a faster rate than older generations, with 28.7% more monthly connections than Millennials, 54.7% more than Gen X, and a staggering 143.5% more than Boomers.

Owens added that these young professionals are building networks that are more diverse and community-driven than those of past generations. She noted that they are using "internet investigation" skills to search for, identify, and connect with people with similar career paths and experiences. They emphasize peer-to-peer networking as much as traditional top-down relationships and are more open and vocal about their values.

The LinkedIn memes

Let’s not forget about meme culture. The main reason why LinkedIn is the social network that generates the most memes about itself lies in its very nature. It's a platform where professional connections and seriousness reign. However, this very seriousness creates an amusing contradiction. On other social media platforms, memes are usually tied to informal, ironic, and often frivolous situations, whereas LinkedIn provides the perfect stage to poke fun at its "serious" atmosphere with Gen Z’s signature "broken" humor. Users enjoy creating memes that exaggerate common workplace scenarios, turning a post celebrating an "epic achievement" or a connection with a CEO into an ironic joke about the platform’s culture of self-promotion and visibility-seeking.

A report from Mashable suggests that any social media platform where you can view people's photos has the potential to turn into a dating app. LinkedIn is considered particularly advantageous for this because it goes beyond showcasing people's curated or exaggerated lives—it provides a more professional and potentially genuine perspective.

According to an Insider report, people are seeking more authentic connections and are tired of the usual dating app messages. Additionally, the rush of swiping left or right on Tinder is similar to the adrenaline rush of job searching on LinkedIn. "Easy applications are addictive," someone noted on TikTok. Just like in the dating world, the job market seems just a click away, and in the days following an application, candidates eagerly wait for a response from recruiters—much like they would from a potential romantic match.

Thankfully, there is a "LinkedIn Etiquette"—a set of unwritten rules that guide interactions on the platform. Those who fail to follow these norms risk becoming meme material or, even worse, facing professional scrutiny. Users who break the rules by posting overly informal pictures, off-topic content, or excessively candid responses become prime targets for jokes and satire.

Five Tips to Succeed on This Platform

1. Professional Headline – Instead of simply stating your degree, try to briefly describe who you are and what you're looking for. Example: "Marketing Graduate | Passionate about Digital Marketing and SEO Strategies."
2. Experience – Add all relevant experiences, including internships, part-time jobs, university projects, or extracurricular activities. Don’t forget to describe what you learned or achieved in each role.
3. Education & Certifications – Make sure to include your academic background and any certifications or courses you've completed, even online. LinkedIn allows you to add skill badges as well.
4. Targeted Connections – Connect with people working in your field of interest, university peers, professors, or professionals you admire. Gen Z is more active on social media, so take advantage of this to expand your network.
5. Message Recruiters – If you see an interesting job posting, don’t hesitate to message the recruiter. Be professional yet confident—ask for details about the position and show genuine interest. Cold emailing (reaching out to someone you haven't previously contacted) is now a well-accepted practice.