At the risk of disappointing you: LinkedIn is not a dating site
“I am fascinated by your profile. I am single, I find you attractive and I have to tell you that your smile is really inviting. I was wondering: are you single or married? What would you say if we got to know each other better to see if it could work between us? These are the kinds of things you would expect to read on Tinder ... but on LinkedIn? Really?
This is not an isolated incident, however. More and more women are denouncing the lack of professionalism shown by certain men who contact them via this professional networking site; suggestive remarks or even sexual advances that have no place on a site like this. LinkedIn has more than 400 million users around the world and, even if having a photo accompanying a profile multiplies by 14 visits to the latter, this is no excuse to move on from the professional side. in the personal section.
Many have learned it at their expense, such as lawyer Alexander Calter-Silk, 57 last fall after approaching one of his sisters, in these words: “I know this is probably horribly politically incorrect, but your photo is beautiful !!! You win the prize for the most beautiful LinkedIn photo I have ever seen. In a lengthy tirade she made public via her Twitter account, the 27-year-old responded, “Alex, I find your post offensive. (...) This is unacceptable and misogynistic behavior. You should think twice before sending a woman (who is half your age) such a sexist message. "
His case is far from an exception, and indeed many are receiving such advances through LinkedIn.
Those who are tempted to do so should understand one very simple thing: LinkedIn is a professional networking site, not a dating site. So there are no “right and wrong ways” to approach someone on LinkedIn for personal gain. It just doesn't happen. People who frequent this site have signed up for the purpose of developing their professional network, not to meet a soul mate. They therefore want to be approached for their qualifications and skills and not because of their physical attributes.
Fortunately, according to Evan Marc Katz who acts as a personal relationship coach, although most people flirt on the Internet today, the majority of LinkedIn users still know how to put things right. And as he suggests to the minority, nothing better to understand the inappropriateness of these kinds of advances than by transposing them into the real world: “Imagine if the director of human resources offered you to go have a drink. during your interview. Even though you both find yourself attractive, is this really the right place and time? "
Dating sites abound on the Internet, drop LinkedIn and find the one that suits you… you will undoubtedly find the rare pearl there too.
