It's been on my mind for a while, and I've finally decided to share why LinkedIn isn't for me anymore. My job in security, especially at startups, requires a certain level of discretion that doesn't mesh well with the openness of LinkedIn. Interestingly, LinkedIn has never really been a source of job opportunities for me. It's always been about who knows me in the real world, or via other social platforms and communities. As someone deeply involved in security for startups, being low-key online is important, and LinkedIn often poses a vulnerability.  The real kicker? I’ve never actually landed a job through LinkedIn. It’s always been the good old word of mouth that got me where I needed to be.

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Reflecting on the troubling findings from experiments conducted by Black individuals, which involved modifying their LinkedIn profiles to reflect 'whiter' norms through names and photos, and observing the subsequent improvement in job prospects, has been eye-opening. These experiments, alongside my own experiences, starkly illustrate the systemic biases embedded within professional platforms. The realization that appearances could overshadow merit in professional opportunities on LinkedIn is deeply disconcerting, driving me to question my support for a platform where such disparities exist.

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This realization made me uncomfortable supporting a platform where appearances might influence professional opportunities more than merit. So, I’m choosing to opt-out. It’s not just about security or job hunting; it’s about wanting a platform that reflects me genuinely, without biases or filters. Here’s to creating connections that matter, in ways that feel right to us, to finding our own path in this wild professional world!