My LinkedIn Journey: From Hesitation to Professional Connection

My personal path from LinkedIn reluctance to meaningful engagement, with practical steps for professionals who feel uncertain about their online visibility.

The Reluctant LinkedIn User

When I was working in Vietnam, I barely touched LinkedIn.

My thinking was simple: "Why use LinkedIn when job boards and recruiter emails work fine?" I viewed professional networking as something that happened in person, not online. LinkedIn was just a digital resume I rarely updated.

My approach to career development was traditional, focusing on direct connections and established channels. After all, wasn't that enough?

When Everything Changed

Two events completely transformed my perspective: moving to New Zealand and the unexpected arrival of COVID-19.

As lockdowns became our reality, traditional networking vanished overnight. No more industry meetups, no casual coffee chats, no conferences. Suddenly, LinkedIn transformed from an optional platform into an essential lifeline for professional connection.

This shift was surprising for me. In a new country, with physical networking impossible, I found myself needing this platform I had previously dismissed. Yet, I felt paralyzed whenever I tried to participate.

The Mental Barriers I Faced

Each time I drafted a post, self-doubt would flood my mind:

• "Is what I'm sharing actually valuable, or is this common knowledge?"

• "Will my connections think I'm showing off if I share this achievement?"

• "What if I make a mistake and damage my professional reputation?"

I would hover over the "Post" button, then close the tab instead. The fear of judgment from peers and industry professionals created an invisible but powerful barrier.

The Simple Advice That Changed Everything

During my Master's program in New Zealand, a professor offered advice that fundamentally shifted my approach:

If you're not ready to create content, start by being present. Browse LinkedIn regularly. Like posts that resonate with you. Leave thoughtful comments. This visibility is valuable and requires less vulnerability than creating original content.

This perspective was transformative—I could participate without immediately producing content. It was a smaller, manageable first step that honored where I was in my journey.

My Gradual Transformation

Following this advice, my relationship with LinkedIn evolved naturally:

1. I began replacing some of my social media scrolling with LinkedIn browsing, familiarizing myself with the professional conversations happening in my field.

2. I noticed that even simple posts often received appreciation. Not everything needed to be groundbreaking research or profound insight.

3. As I engaged with others' content, I developed more confidence in my own perspectives.

Most importantly, I realized there is always an audience for authentic professional insights. Not everyone will engage with your content, but those who find value make the effort worthwhile.

What This Journey Taught Me

Looking back, my LinkedIn journey reflects broader lessons about professional growth:

Comfort zones rarely expand by themselves. Sometimes external circumstances (like COVID) force us to adapt, but more often, growth requires intentional discomfort.

Start where you are. The path to visibility doesn't begin with perfectly crafted content—it begins with showing up consistently in whatever way feels manageable.

Your perspective has unique value. What seems ordinary to you because you've lived it can be extraordinarily helpful to others on similar paths.

Now, LinkedIn has become an integral part of my professional life. It's where I connect with colleagues, share insights from my experience transitioning between cultures and roles, and learn from others in my field.

The platform I once avoided has become a meaningful extension of my professional identity.

A Question For You

Where are you in your LinkedIn journey? Are you actively engaged, hesitantly participating, or avoiding it altogether? What's one small step you could take this week to increase your professional visibility?

Share your thoughts in the comments, or reach out if you'd like to discuss strategies for building your professional presence.