If you’re on LinkedIn (which you probably are), you’ve probably seen others post and wondered if you should be too. Career advice always says you should be “building your personal brand,” recruiters talk about visibility, and your feed is full of people announcing new roles, sharing big lessons, or posting long reflections that somehow say a lot without saying much at all.
It can make LinkedIn feel less like a professional network and more like a performance. All to say, this made me question if posting on LinkedIn actually matters or if it’s really just for show.
Why posting on LinkedIn feels so awkward
A lot of LinkedIn posts feel strangely similar. They’re overly polished, vague and often read like they were written by AI (because they were). I see a lot of sweeping career lessons, dramatic openings and inspirational conclusions that feel strange and don’t really connect to anything specific or relevant.
This creates a weird tension for young people especially, who don’t necessarily know how to treat their LinkedIn. You’re told to post, but you’re also painfully aware that you don’t want to sound fake, overconfident, or like you’re trying too hard to be impressive. This feeling of discomfort is entirely valid because most people early in their careers aren’t sitting on groundbreaking insight. That’s also what makes posting feel so unnatural – and it’s one of the main reasons so many of us avoid it altogether.
The problem with “AI Dump” posts
As I mentioned, so many LinkedIn posts follow the exact same formula – a dramatic opening line, a long pause and then a sudden list of bullet points that feel weirdly serious for what’s being said. These posts often include a vague career moment, followed by “here’s what it taught me,” and then three to five generic lessons that could apply to literally anyone. The bullets also show up even when they’re not needed, breaking a simple thought into something that seems way more important than it actually is.
There also seems to be a lot of manufactured drama. Everyday experiences, like finishing an internship, attending a conference, or sending a cold email, are framed like life-altering turning points. The tone is intense, reflective and deeply serious even though those are completely normal things that many people do every day.
I don’t think every post written by AI is necessarily bad, I just think too many feel off and that when everything is presented as a big lesson, nothing actually stands out. In my opinion, what tends to land better is the opposite: plain language, normal pacing and some specific thoughts. You don’t need to turn everything into a big moment – sometimes just saying what actually happened is enough.
What authentic posting actually looks like
Authentic posting doesn't mean sharing every thought you have or turning LinkedIn into a personal journal. It simply means being specific and grounded in real experience.
That might look like writing about a project you worked on, something you struggled with during an internship or a class that changed how you feel about your field. You don’t need a viral hook or a dramatic lesson, just context and genuine reflection.
I think a tried and true way to approach it is – what you worked on, what surprised you and what you learned. That’s more likely to be compelling than trying to sound like an expert at the ripe age of 25.
Should you post if you have nothing to say?
No, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about that. Posting occasionally, when you genuinely have something to share, is far more effective than posting regularly just to stay visible. If posting starts to feel forced or draining, it’s probably not helping you anyways.
It’s also worth remembering that being active on LinkedIn doesn’t only mean posting. Commenting thoughtfully, engaging with others’ posts or sharing articles you find interesting still counts.
So, does posting on LinkedIn actually matter?
I think at the end of the day, I have to tell you no, because it’s not required to land a job and I don’t post regularly either, likely for the exact same reasons as you. Plenty of students and new grads land internships, co-ops and full-time roles without ever posting once.
I do think posting can help in smaller, quieter ways. It can help to keep your profile active (for recruiters to potentially find you), make your name more recognizable, and show that you’re engaged in your industry. It can also give people something to reference when they click on your profile and reach out to you. It can be a great supporting tool, but overall I don’t think it makes that big of a difference.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to post on LinkedIn to be employable. If you do choose to post, keep it specific, human and occasional. Avoid trying to sound impressive and don’t confuse visibility with value. LinkedIn should be seen as a tool and not a stage. My best advice would be to use it in a way that feels sustainable and authentic to you and where you’re at in your career.