Introduction
The manner in which professionals use LinkedIn evolves in accordance with the work environment. Although LinkedIn has traditionally been associated with professional networking and well-crafted resumes, Gen Z, or people born around between 1997 and 2012, is utilizing it in a different way than millennials. A change in the way networking and professional development are conducted is being signaled by the new trends, habits, and expectations that this younger generation is bringing to the platform.
We’ll look at how Gen Z uses LinkedIn differently than millennials in this piece, including how they prefer material and how transparent their professional journeys are. If you want to know how to adjust to these changes or connect with Gen Z, this eBook will help you understand how LinkedIn is changing.
Is Gen Z More Open About Career Journeys?
One of the most prominent distinctions between Generation Z and millennials on LinkedIn is their differing levels of openness regarding their career trajectories. While millennials have typically utilized LinkedIn to showcase a carefully curated and polished representation of their professional journeys, Generation Z is introducing a greater degree of authenticity and transparency to the platform.
Rather than merely highlighting achievements or securing ‘dream jobs,’ Generation Z is more inclined to:
- Share stories of personal growth and challenges encountered
- Engage in open discussions about career shifts and transitions
- Highlight side projects or freelance endeavors
This candidness about career experiences resonates with Generation Z’s overarching quest for authenticity. They prioritize genuine experiences over idealized portrayals of success. In doing so, they render LinkedIn more relatable and accessible, embodying their belief that career paths are not always straightforward.
This transparency is transforming how Generation Z engages with LinkedIn in contrast to millennials, underscoring the increasing importance of authenticity and openness.
How Gen Z Learns from LinkedIn
For Gen Z, LinkedIn serves as more than just a job board or a networking platform. It has turned into a center for learning.
Instead of depending exclusively on formal schooling or conventional mentors, Gen Z leverages LinkedIn to:
- Connect with industry leaders and influencers.
- Engage with educational resources like articles, videos, and infographics.
- Utilize LinkedIn Learning for enhancing your skills.
- Engage in group conversations and online seminars.
Millennials used LinkedIn mainly for resumes and networking, but Gen Z engages with content for real-time learning, skill-building, and adapting to the changing job market.
How Does Gen Z Network Differently Than Millennials?
When it comes to networking, there is a distinct divide between millennials and Gen Z. Although millennials primarily focused on networking for career growth, Gen Z has transformed their approach to building connections.
For Gen Z, forming connections is:
- Less formal: Gen Z likes to foster relationships through relaxed interactions instead of formal, transactional ties.
- More digitally inclined: Instead of in-person meetings or numerous events, Gen Z utilizes digital platforms such as LinkedIn’s messaging and video calls to connect.
- Greater diversity: They’re not merely linking with colleagues from their sector but are actively seeking to broaden their network by interacting with individuals from various fields, backgrounds, and areas of expertise.
Gen Z engages with LinkedIn in a more relaxed manner compared to millennials, focusing on genuine, friendly relationships instead of formal, structured networking. For them, it’s more about establishing genuine, significant connections than advancing in their careers.
Are LinkedIn Posts Replacing Portfolios and Blogs?
An interesting trend among Gen Z on LinkedIn is their shift from traditional portfolios and blogs to using LinkedIn posts as the primary means of showcasing their work. Rather than building external portfolios or maintaining a blog, many Gen Z professionals are opting for regular LinkedIn posts that:
- Highlight personal achievements and projects
- Share insights or expertise on industry trends
- Display creative work through photos, videos, or infographics
Unlike millennials who used blogs and portfolios, Gen Z uses LinkedIn as a central hub for personal branding showcasing achievements, skills, and experiences. It’s both a resume and an interactive portfolio.
What Kind of Content Does Gen Z Engage With Most?
In terms of content consumption, Generation Z is attracted to a distinct type of material in comparison to millennials. Generation Z tends to engage more with content that is:
- Visual and interactive: They prefer infographics, videos, and polls rather than lengthy written articles.
- Personal and authentic: Insights into individuals’ lives, genuine career paths, and real experiences resonate more strongly with Generation Z.
- Short-form: They favor brief videos, content snippets, and quick insights that can be absorbed within a few minutes, which suits their attention span.
- Trending topics: Generation Z enjoys interacting with content that is timely and pertinent to current events, social movements, or popular culture.
Gen Z prefers quick, relatable, and visual content over the long-form articles favored by millennials, making LinkedIn a more dynamic and interactive space.
Conclusion
Gen Z is reshaping LinkedIn by bringing in authenticity, prioritizing continuous learning, and embracing a more relaxed method of networking. By being more transparent about their career paths and utilizing the platform as an educational resource, this generation demonstrates that professional networking doesn’t need to be conventional or rigid it can be lively, online, and individualized. As a professional or a business aiming to engage with Gen Z on LinkedIn, grasping their preferences and adjusting to their approach is essential. For assistance in developing content or enhancing your LinkedIn strategy, think about collaborating with experienced professionals via Wiraa, a worldwide remote job platform that links you to skilled content creators, marketers, and social media specialists.
Allow Wiraa to assist you in creating a LinkedIn presence that resonates with Gen Z’s expectations and engages with the future of the workforce.
