What is your opinion of these LinkedIn "I'm humbled and honored and blessed to announce..." posts? Forum

[DougEvans789]

What is the appropriate way to handle this? Should someone change it at the start of next summer when they start up the job or post something much more curt a la "I've accepted an offer at XX firm in XX city for next summer!"

I feel like the stuff that really grinds my gears is the false humility and grandstanding. Is there something wrong with saying you've accepted a job on linkedin?

Just change your headline to ‘incoming’ toward the end of the spring semester, and presumably your connections will all be notified. There’s no need to make a meal about making it to the tryout stage of full employment, especially when literally thousands of other students are in the exact same non-position.

The same kids who are THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE are the same who will lead into a conversation with a disingenuous question about how your OCI went, then sulk when your firm which you didn’t bother to announce shits prodigiously on theirs.

Maybe this is dumb, but why not just list the job you have or have had? Listing “incoming” feels weird to me.

[bajablast]

I find the use of the word "cringe" to be the worst sin of all; second-worst is attacking law students for being happy about getting a job. Third-worst is the "humbled/honored/blessed" posts.

TCR

[bajablast]

What is the appropriate way to handle this? Should someone change it at the start of next summer when they start up the job or post something much more curt a la "I've accepted an offer at XX firm in XX city for next summer!"

I feel like the stuff that really grinds my gears is the false humility and grandstanding. Is there something wrong with saying you've accepted a job on linkedin?

This, I hate that - just say you're pumped you got it, if you're posting about it, you probably aren't humbled lol.

[LBJ's Hair]

What is the appropriate way to handle this?

You can: say nothing until you start and then just change your title (best option); or, if you really want to post something: "Some personal news -- I've accepted an internship at XYZ for Summer 2022. Looking forward to learning from the great attorneys there next year."

Don't thank anyone -- you're not winning an Oscar.

[jhett]

I think it's cute. Baby lawyers need to enjoy the limelight a little before having their souls crushed.

[Anonymous User]

What is the appropriate way to handle this?

You say nothing.

See I don't get this. LinkedIn is for updates about your career. Legal hiring is kinda awkward bc typically you get your SA and later offer a year before you'd start each. So a quick update seems fine (agree that the #blessed stuff is over the top). But there's no brownie points in hiding what you're going to be doing.

[Anonymous User]

What is the appropriate way to handle this? Should someone change it at the start of next summer when they start up the job or post something much more curt a la "I've accepted an offer at XX firm in XX city for next summer!"

I feel like the stuff that really grinds my gears is the false humility and grandstanding. Is there something wrong with saying you've accepted a job on linkedin?

Just change your headline to ‘incoming’ toward the end of the spring semester, and presumably your connections will all be notified. There’s no need to make a meal about making it to the tryout stage of full employment, especially when literally thousands of other students are in the exact same non-position.

The same kids who are THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE are the same who will lead into a conversation with a disingenuous question about how your OCI went, then sulk when your firm which you didn’t bother to announce shits prodigiously on theirs.

Maybe this is dumb, but why not just list the job you have or have had? Listing “incoming” feels weird to me.

I agree, but the OP approach is at least an improvement on listing “incoming” almost a year before the (temp) job begins.

[Anonymous User]

What is the appropriate way to handle this?

You say nothing.

See I don't get this. LinkedIn is for updates about your career. Legal hiring is kinda awkward bc typically you get your SA and later offer a year before you'd start each. So a quick update seems fine (agree that the #blessed stuff is over the top). But there's no brownie points in hiding what you're going to be doing.

But that’s the point. If you’re going to be doing it, why announce that you’re going to be doing it? Just…do it.

[Anonymous User]

What is the appropriate way to handle this?

You say nothing.

See I don't get this. LinkedIn is for updates about your career. Legal hiring is kinda awkward bc typically you get your SA and later offer a year before you'd start each. So a quick update seems fine (agree that the #blessed stuff is over the top). But there's no brownie points in hiding what you're going to be doing.

But that’s the point. If you’re going to be doing it, why announce that you’re going to be doing it? Just…do it.

Because you're not doing it for another year, and yet in the meanwhile that's your status. Not saying you have to say anything (well, sometimes the firm makes you) but it's fine to update people.

[Anonymous User]

Because you're not doing it for another year, and yet in the meanwhile that's your status. Not saying you have to say anything (well, sometimes the firm makes you) but it's fine to update people.

I think the question is why you would need to announce that you are in a holding pattern for the next year. Surely the people you want to know will know by virtue of your telling them personally? And is there anyone else for whom not seeing your 2L SA throughout your 2L year on Linkedin will matter?

Also, which firms make you post something? Yikes.

[Anonymous User]

Because you're not doing it for another year, and yet in the meanwhile that's your status. Not saying you have to say anything (well, sometimes the firm makes you) but it's fine to update people.

I think the question is why you would need to announce that you are in a holding pattern for the next year. Surely the people you want to know will know by virtue of your telling them personally? And is there anyone else for whom not seeing your 2L SA throughout your 2L year on Linkedin will matter?

Also, which firms make you post something? Yikes.

This. Presumably these posts a largely meant as signals to impress your peers (thanking random people and professors who probably aren’t on LinkedIn is rich). If so, then you can rely on your classmates’ insecurity to do most of the heavy lifting: most cannot resist asking where you’re summering, and news, no matter how trivial, spreads like wildfire in law school. And the people who you can’t tell in person probably could not care less.

[Anonymous User]

Because you're not doing it for another year, and yet in the meanwhile that's your status. Not saying you have to say anything (well, sometimes the firm makes you) but it's fine to update people.

I think the question is why you would need to announce that you are in a holding pattern for the next year. Surely the people you want to know will know by virtue of your telling them personally? And is there anyone else for whom not seeing your 2L SA throughout your 2L year on Linkedin will matter?

Also, which firms make you post something? Yikes.

if there is an image that says "I've accepted at XXX firm" then they prob are at least pushing it. I've seen Kirkland, W&C, Reed Smith, Blank Rome, Sidley, and Willkie so far.

[Anonymous User]

Because you're not doing it for another year, and yet in the meanwhile that's your status. Not saying you have to say anything (well, sometimes the firm makes you) but it's fine to update people.

I think the question is why you would need to announce that you are in a holding pattern for the next year. Surely the people you want to know will know by virtue of your telling them personally? And is there anyone else for whom not seeing your 2L SA throughout your 2L year on Linkedin will matter?

Also, which firms make you post something? Yikes.

if there is an image that says "I've accepted at XXX firm" then they prob are at least pushing it. I've seen Kirkland, W&C, Reed Smith, Blank Rome, Sidley, and Willkie so far.

I’m summering at one of these firms and have not been asked or encouraged to post about it. I have, though, seen others who’ve accepted offers from the firm post with what look like official images attached to their BLESSED AND THRILLED posts, so I’m not convinced these aren’t just stock or Google images.

[nixy]

What is the appropriate way to handle this?

You say nothing.

See I don't get this. LinkedIn is for updates about your career. Legal hiring is kinda awkward bc typically you get your SA and later offer a year before you'd start each. So a quick update seems fine (agree that the #blessed stuff is over the top). But there's no brownie points in hiding what you're going to be doing.

A quick update (barring the #blessed stuff) isn't *that* bad, but it's unnecessary; most of the time, no one needs to know what job you're in until you're in it. There may not be brownie points for hiding it, but there aren't any for posting it, either, so it just looks braggy. Some kind of "hey I got a job for next summer!" update on Facebook is good for letting friends/family know who might care on a social level, and if you're applying for a job (like a clerkship or something) you can put it on the resume you send out. Who's going to be looking at your LinkedIn who really needs to know that you got a job through OCI before you start working there?

[LBJ's Hair]

See I don't get this. LinkedIn is for updates about your career. Legal hiring is kinda awkward bc typically you get your SA and later offer a year before you'd start each. So a quick update seems fine (agree that the #blessed stuff is over the top). But there's no brownie points in hiding what you're going to be doing.

Right, but, the actual news is: "I have accepted a 10-week internship at this law firm that I will be beginning 11 months from now." you're not an employee. you're a "future intern."

the only reason you're posting this update before you actually start the internship is b/c you want to tell everyone the good news and get congratulated for it.

which, w/e - I understand the oddities of timing in legal hiring. if you want to post a short thing to celebrate yourself, that's fine. but it's not necessary.

[Anonymous User]

But there's no brownie points in hiding what you're going to be doing.

Some people place a huge emphasis on humility and generally do not look favorably on the shout-from-the-rooftops people. I know, because I am one of them. Maybe I am a judgmental asshole, but it is what it is.

[Anonymous User]

At some point LinkedIn changed from an online resume to a cliché saccharin zoomer Facebook and I don't like it.

I've now even seen people post random family pics on it.

[Anonymous User]

The amount of time and thought expensed on this topic is bizarre. While asking this may be self-defeating, I still gotta ask: who the hell cares?

[Anonymous User]

I've softened my visceral disgust at these. Like yes, act like you've been there before, but plenty of people who come from difficult / underrepresented / inspiring backgrounds *haven't* been there before, on a generational level. Therefore, I can understand a muted post acknowledging one's story and pride in having landed a job (even one that's soul-crushing, temporary, and just procured until the debt burden is lessened). But if you're a comfortable white guy from UVA going to Skadden, congrats but...the world does not need to know before your start date.

All that being said, I have some pet peeves about "humbled" and especially "announce" (look, if you're not a brand or a public figure, you're not "announcing" anything, ever; what you are doing is not news). Thanking a couple people / mentors is fine, but if the list gets too long the Academy Awards music to rush people off the stage starts playing in my head. Also, the enthusiasm should probably match the moment; if you're returning for 2L summer to a firm you also did 1L summer and SEO at, relax yourself.

Some of this sounds harsh, and I want to be wary especially about people who have not been around the legal or other professional communities about what it means to act the "right" way. It can be hard to suss out where the line between social self-awareness stops and just not having experience in this realm begins.

[Anonymous User]

I've softened my visceral disgust at these. Like yes, act like you've been there before, but plenty of people who come from difficult / underrepresented / inspiring backgrounds *haven't* been there before, on a generational level. Therefore, I can understand a muted post acknowledging one's story and pride in having landed a job (even one that's soul-crushing, temporary, and just procured until the debt burden is lessened). But if you're a comfortable white guy from UVA going to Skadden, congrats but...the world does not need to know before your start date.

All that being said, I have some pet peeves about "humbled" and especially "announce" (look, if you're not a brand or a public figure, you're not "announcing" anything, ever; what you are doing is not news). Thanking a couple people / mentors is fine, but if the list gets too long the Academy Awards music to rush people off the stage starts playing in my head. Also, the enthusiasm should probably match the moment; if you're returning for 2L summer to a firm you also did 1L summer and SEO at, relax yourself.

Some of this sounds harsh, and I want to be wary especially about people who have not been around the legal or other professional communities about what it means to act the "right" way. It can be hard to suss out where the line between social self-awareness stops and just not having experience in this realm begins.

Most of the posts I see simply go something like "I'm excited to share that I've accepted an offer at [firm] to join as an [associate/summer associate] in [year]. I'm looking forward to getting started!" with a .jpeg firm logo attached. Do people see these in the same way as the 'humbled/honored' posts? Asking for a ...friend. What's LinkedIn for if not a little bit of clout?

[Anonymous User]

I've softened my visceral disgust at these. Like yes, act like you've been there before, but plenty of people who come from difficult / underrepresented / inspiring backgrounds *haven't* been there before, on a generational level. Therefore, I can understand a muted post acknowledging one's story and pride in having landed a job (even one that's soul-crushing, temporary, and just procured until the debt burden is lessened). But if you're a comfortable white guy from UVA going to Skadden, congrats but...the world does not need to know before your start date.

All that being said, I have some pet peeves about "humbled" and especially "announce" (look, if you're not a brand or a public figure, you're not "announcing" anything, ever; what you are doing is not news). Thanking a couple people / mentors is fine, but if the list gets too long the Academy Awards music to rush people off the stage starts playing in my head. Also, the enthusiasm should probably match the moment; if you're returning for 2L summer to a firm you also did 1L summer and SEO at, relax yourself.

Some of this sounds harsh, and I want to be wary especially about people who have not been around the legal or other professional communities about what it means to act the "right" way. It can be hard to suss out where the line between social self-awareness stops and just not having experience in this realm begins.

Most of the posts I see simply go something like "I'm excited to share that I've accepted an offer at [firm] to join as an [associate/summer associate] in [year]. I'm looking forward to getting started!" with a .jpeg firm logo attached. Do people see these in the same way as the 'humbled/honored' posts? Asking for a ...friend. What's LinkedIn for if not a little bit of clout?

You’ll get the clout in June when you start. For right now you’re a student. LinkedIn says you’re a student. Be at peace my child.

[bajablast]

What is the appropriate way to handle this?

You say nothing.

See I don't get this. LinkedIn is for updates about your career. Legal hiring is kinda awkward bc typically you get your SA and later offer a year before you'd start each. So a quick update seems fine (agree that the #blessed stuff is over the top). But there's no brownie points in hiding what you're going to be doing.

A quick update (barring the #blessed stuff) isn't *that* bad, but it's unnecessary; most of the time, no one needs to know what job you're in until you're in it. There may not be brownie points for hiding it, but there aren't any for posting it, either, so it just looks braggy. Some kind of "hey I got a job for next summer!" update on Facebook is good for letting friends/family know who might care on a social level, and if you're applying for a job (like a clerkship or something) you can put it on the resume you send out. Who's going to be looking at your LinkedIn who really needs to know that you got a job through OCI before you start working there?

Also what if the summer never ends up working at the firm? Embarrassing to make a post about working somewhere only to never end up working there....I've seen a few times where a person makes a post about getting a job only to never start or be fired/have to leave shortly after starting.

[Anonymous User]

I've softened my visceral disgust at these. Like yes, act like you've been there before, but plenty of people who come from difficult / underrepresented / inspiring backgrounds *haven't* been there before, on a generational level. Therefore, I can understand a muted post acknowledging one's story and pride in having landed a job (even one that's soul-crushing, temporary, and just procured until the debt burden is lessened). But if you're a comfortable white guy from UVA going to Skadden, congrats but...the world does not need to know before your start date.

All that being said, I have some pet peeves about "humbled" and especially "announce" (look, if you're not a brand or a public figure, you're not "announcing" anything, ever; what you are doing is not news). Thanking a couple people / mentors is fine, but if the list gets too long the Academy Awards music to rush people off the stage starts playing in my head. Also, the enthusiasm should probably match the moment; if you're returning for 2L summer to a firm you also did 1L summer and SEO at, relax yourself.

Some of this sounds harsh, and I want to be wary especially about people who have not been around the legal or other professional communities about what it means to act the "right" way. It can be hard to suss out where the line between social self-awareness stops and just not having experience in this realm begins.

Most of the posts I see simply go something like "I'm excited to share that I've accepted an offer at [firm] to join as an [associate/summer associate] in [year]. I'm looking forward to getting started!" with a .jpeg firm logo attached. Do people see these in the same way as the 'humbled/honored' posts? Asking for a ...friend. What's LinkedIn for if not a little bit of clout?

You’ll get the clout in June when you start. For right now you’re a student. LinkedIn says you’re a student. Be at peace my child.

Fair enough lol. I'll abstain.

[Anonymous User]

I've softened my visceral disgust at these. Like yes, act like you've been there before, but plenty of people who come from difficult / underrepresented / inspiring backgrounds *haven't* been there before, on a generational level. Therefore, I can understand a muted post acknowledging one's story and pride in having landed a job (even one that's soul-crushing, temporary, and just procured until the debt burden is lessened). But if you're a comfortable white guy from UVA going to Skadden, congrats but...the world does not need to know before your start date.

All that being said, I have some pet peeves about "humbled" and especially "announce" (look, if you're not a brand or a public figure, you're not "announcing" anything, ever; what you are doing is not news). Thanking a couple people / mentors is fine, but if the list gets too long the Academy Awards music to rush people off the stage starts playing in my head. Also, the enthusiasm should probably match the moment; if you're returning for 2L summer to a firm you also did 1L summer and SEO at, relax yourself.

Some of this sounds harsh, and I want to be wary especially about people who have not been around the legal or other professional communities about what it means to act the "right" way. It can be hard to suss out where the line between social self-awareness stops and just not having experience in this realm begins.

Most of the posts I see simply go something like "I'm excited to share that I've accepted an offer at [firm] to join as an [associate/summer associate] in [year]. I'm looking forward to getting started!" with a .jpeg firm logo attached. Do people see these in the same way as the 'humbled/honored' posts? Asking for a ...friend. What's LinkedIn for if not a little bit of clout?

You’ll get the clout in June when you start. For right now you’re a student. LinkedIn says you’re a student. Be at peace my child.

Fair enough lol. I'll abstain.

You don't have to listen to some boomers on TLS, if everyone else is doing it and you wanna, go for it.

[Rule23andMe]

though I won't be posting myself, I do sincerely wish more people in my class would post. I'm squarely in the "probably unnecessary" camp but I wanna know where people are going!