When it comes to creating a compelling LinkedIn profile, it can be tempting to publish a long list of career achievements. New research from Cornell suggests, however, that emphasizing your professional journey is more likely to leave a positive impression.

“We define ‘journey’ as a long and often difficult process of going from one point to another, which reflects a determination to learn, an acquisition of skills, and a sense of growth and development,” the researchers explain. “We find that journey information leads to greater perceptions of warmth because journeys help to communicate humility, mitigating the appearance of arrogance often associated with self-promotion.”

On the journey

The researchers conducted a series of studies to explore the efficacy of introductions and their impact on forming connections and creating a positive impression. By analyzing publicly available data from LinkedIn, they focused on how written introductions that narrate personal journeys contribute to a perception of humility, a vital factor in establishing rapport and warmth.

In four pilot studies, the researchers engaged working professionals in surveys to gauge their perspectives on introductions. They observed that introductions were often viewed as opportunities for self-promotion, raising concerns about the risk of appearing overly boastful. A significant portion of the participants expressed discomfort with this aspect.

The desire to leave a favorable impression on others, particularly those responsible for hiring decisions, was evident. To explore this further, the researchers tested whether human resource specialists evaluated introductions with a focus on professional journeys more favorably compared to those highlighting achievements alone.

First impressions

Involving 332 HR professionals, the researchers presented them with LinkedIn introductions used in prior studies and sought their assessments of these introductions. The results revealed that HR specialists perceived candidates who shared more journey-oriented information as warmer individuals, partly due to the perceived humility conveyed in such introductions.

The perception of warmth, stemming from journey-oriented introductions, significantly influenced HR specialists’ inclination to connect with job seekers, illustrating the importance of this element in the hiring process.

A core concern investigated by the researchers was the delicate balance between showcasing professional competence and avoiding the impression of arrogance in these introductions.

“Although delivering an effective written introduction is important, how to do so is less clear,” the authors conclude. “One of Mark Twain’s popular quotes was, ‘Success is a journey, not a destination,’ and those sentiments capture the essence and value of our research.”