Letting Go of My LinkedIn Top Career Management Voice Title: My Personal Story of How I Got it and Why I Let it Go

?? On a regular Friday evening, as the clock ticked closer to 5 PM, an unexpected message popped up in my LinkedIn inbox. It was from a LinkedIn representative, extending an invitation to participate in an article collaboration. This was not something I had pursued; it came to me out of the blue.

??? The rep explained that to be considered for a special distinction, I would need to write five posts. They advised me to check my status the following day, a Saturday. Considering the time and the near end of my workday, this request seemed a bit out of the ordinary. However, understanding LinkedIn's dynamics, I knew this wasn't just any opportunity—it was a pathway to the coveted blue checkmark ?, previously known as the Influencer program.

?Motivated by the potential to join this elite group, I brewed a pot of coffee ? and dove headfirst into crafting these Career Management posts. No AI assistance, just pure, personal insights. My efforts were aligned with those of a blue-check ? influencer in Brazil, which further assured me that the blue check was within my grasp.

An hour of intense, unpaid dedication later, I was done. But the combination of excitement and caffeine left me buzzing through the night. As instructed, I checked my status the next day. To my surprise, I was outperforming the influencer—thanks immensely to my supportive and incredible network.

Day by day, my posts garnered more likes, a crucial metric in this unofficial competition. However, a twist awaited. Despite my anticipation for the blue check, I was awarded the Gold Top ?? Voice instead a week later. While I appreciated this recognition, it wasn't what I had set out for.

Interestingly, the Gold Top Voice title lasts for only 60 days, compared to the one-year tenure of the Blue Top Voice. LinkedIn has since invited me to write more posts to maintain or earn new Top Voices, but I have politely declined each offer.

??? The reason is simple: I don't work for LinkedIn. My contributions are driven by my interests and passions, not by directives to generate content without compensation. This approach, in my opinion, isn't LinkedIn's best strategy. There are certainly more effective ways to foster engagement on the platform.

Perhaps this initiative is an attempt to address the fact that, despite having over a billion users, only about 1% post regularly. LinkedIn might be facing a content crunch. Nonetheless, I remain grateful for the Top Voice recognition.

In conclusion, while I value the accolade and the support from my network, I believe my time and expertise are better invested in projects and articles that genuinely interest me. LinkedIn, I love you, but this strategy could use some rethinking. To all my supporters, thank you for your unwavering encouragement. It’s been an insightful journey. #thankful

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