"The LinkedIn Self”: How Personality Influences Self-Presentations of LinkedIn Users
Julia Weiss
Antje Glück
Abstract
While the professional network site LinkedIn has gained an immense popularity not only among recruiters but also among job seekers, there is so far little research about factors influencing the presentation of one’s self on LinkedIn. This study investigates what selves are presented on LinkedIn, and how this relates to the Big Five personality traits. A mixed-method explanatory design was used to collect primary data. The design consisted of an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. In total, 72 questionnaires were analysed, and nine interviews were conducted. A correlation analysis aided in the identification of the relationship between personality traits and the real or ideal self on LinkedIn.The findings suggest that LinkedIn users present their real self more frequently than their ideal or false self. The study identified a correlation between agreeableness and the presentation of a real self on LinkedIn. This raises questions about recruitment processes and a job candidate’s actual personality.References
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