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

[12YrsAnAssociate]

I graduated in the recession, when there were few jobs to be had, so people really fucking hated the people that made these posts because it was almost rubbing it in that they were employed and others were not. Probably different this year.

[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.

Lol.

[nixy]

I graduated in the recession, when there were few jobs to be had, so people really fucking hated the people that made these posts because it was almost rubbing it in that they were employed and others were not. Probably different this year.

Yeah, this was my experience too.

[Dahl]

It’s cringey to me but also sweet in an earnest way. I’m old though, and for Gen Z and beyond this will be normal and not at all looked down upon.

[Anonymous User]

It’s cringey to me but also sweet in an earnest way. I’m old though, and for Gen Z and beyond this will be normal and not at all looked down upon.

This may be true on average but definitely not universal. Plenty of Gen Z students find it cringey and off-putting.

[Anonymous User]

Ive noticed that all such posts share one thing in common: either the student is at a lower-ranked school, or the firm isn’t anything to write home about. I’ve never seen such a post regarding S&C, Cravatah, DPW, or WLRK, for example. And the posts ablut KE, Skadden, Latham et al are usually in either satellite offices or from students from schools where landing a big firm is probably a big deal.

Or maybe my feed is just whack.

[existentialcrisis]

I graduated in the recession, when there were few jobs to be had, so people really fucking hated the people that made these posts because it was almost rubbing it in that they were employed and others were not. Probably different this year.

Yeah, this was my experience too.

This.

Any year, even during a boom in demand for legal services, there will be people struggling at OCI.

Not only are these posts irritating and self aggrandizing, but they absolutely make classmates who aren't as lucky feel like crap at an already stressful time.

You'll get your chance for LinkedIn likes/praise when you update your title to "Summer Associate at Skadden."

[ExpOriental]

Ive noticed that all such posts share one thing in common: either the student is at a lower-ranked school, or the firm isn’t anything to write home about. I’ve never seen such a post regarding S&C, Cravatah, DPW, or WLRK, for example. And the posts ablut KE, Skadden, Latham et al are usually in either satellite offices or from students from schools where landing a big firm is probably a big deal.

Or maybe my feed is just whack.

You're seeing what you want to see. A cursory search on LinkedIn will reveal tons of S&C and DPW NYC announcements. Cravath is too annoying to tell because of all the false positives ("Cravath scale" etc.). The only one that I didn't see is Wachtell.

Also, laffs at the implication that any of Cravath, S&C, or DPW are "something to write home about" in any way that K&E, Skadden, etc. are not. You're as cringy as any of the people making LinkedIn announcements.

As to the subject at hand, I used to mock them but have since accepted that it's pretty much the correct use of LinkedIn, and though I'd still never do it myself, it doesn't really perturb me anymore. I'm now more annoyed by the people who get upset about their fellow drones not being aloof enough for our precious biglaw.

The sob stories and lists of people to thank will always be risible though.

[Anonymous User]

Lol this guy

[Anonymous User]

I'm noticing a significant increase in the number of firms providing graphics for people to post, vis-à-vis January OCI.

In the finest TLS tradition: pathetic.

[Anonymous User]

Ive noticed that all such posts share one thing in common: either the student is at a lower-ranked school, or the firm isn’t anything to write home about. I’ve never seen such a post regarding S&C, Cravatah, DPW, or WLRK, for example. And the posts ablut KE, Skadden, Latham et al are usually in either satellite offices or from students from schools where landing a big firm is probably a big deal.

Or maybe my feed is just whack.

You're seeing what you want to see. A cursory search on LinkedIn will reveal tons of S&C and DPW NYC announcements. Cravath is too annoying to tell because of all the false positives ("Cravath scale" etc.). The only one that I didn't see is Wachtell.

Also, laffs at the implication that any of Cravath, S&C, or DPW are "something to write home about" in any way that K&E, Skadden, etc. are not. You're as cringy as any of the people making LinkedIn announcements.

As to the subject at hand, I used to mock them but have since accepted that it's pretty much the correct use of LinkedIn, and though I'd still never do it myself, it doesn't really perturb me anymore. I'm now more annoyed by the people who get upset about their fellow drones not being aloof enough for our precious biglaw.

The sob stories and lists of people to thank will always be risible though.

relax, pal.

[Anonymous User]

Ive noticed that all such posts share one thing in common: either the student is at a lower-ranked school, or the firm isn’t anything to write home about. I’ve never seen such a post regarding S&C, Cravatah, DPW, or WLRK, for example. And the posts ablut KE, Skadden, Latham et al are usually in either satellite offices or from students from schools where landing a big firm is probably a big deal.

Or maybe my feed is just whack.

If you have to ask, it's you.

[Anonymous User]

Ive noticed that all such posts share one thing in common: either the student is at a lower-ranked school, or the firm isn’t anything to write home about. I’ve never seen such a post regarding S&C, Cravatah, DPW, or WLRK, for example. And the posts ablut KE, Skadden, Latham et al are usually in either satellite offices or from students from schools where landing a big firm is probably a big deal.

Or maybe my feed is just whack.

If you have to ask, it's you.

oof. Nice pointless anon switch.

[ExpOriental]

Ive noticed that all such posts share one thing in common: either the student is at a lower-ranked school, or the firm isn’t anything to write home about. I’ve never seen such a post regarding S&C, Cravatah, DPW, or WLRK, for example. And the posts ablut KE, Skadden, Latham et al are usually in either satellite offices or from students from schools where landing a big firm is probably a big deal.

Or maybe my feed is just whack.

If you have to ask, it's you.

oof. Nice pointless anon switch.

If you're implying that was me, it was not. I happily invite the mods to expose that fact if they feel inclined, because they (eta: the anon, not the mods) are abusing anon just as much as you are. I see no reason you shouldn't be outed as well, though I think I speak for everyone when I say we dread losing your contributions.

That said, I agree with that anon that the simple explanation here is that you're just a douche.

You certainly aren't doing yourself any favors with your main line of defense being paranoid accusations of anon-fuckery (again, not losing sight of your own anon abuse).

[Anonymous User]

bump

[Anonymous User]

bump

why

[jimmythecatdied6]

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.

"Hey... comfortable white guy... quit looking so comfortable on LinkedIn." Lol. Good use of anon. I wouldnt want to put my name on this post, either.

[nixy]

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.

"Hey... comfortable white guy... quit looking so comfortable on LinkedIn." Lol. Good use of anon. I wouldnt want to put my name on this post, either.

I agree with anon here.

[sparty99]

It is stupid, but so are the attorney posts where they have been accepted into Super Lawyrrs or Best Lawyers. We all know that is pay to play. The minority coming from humble beginnings post is also annoying too. Just go to the cheesecake factory and get you a slice and celebrate amongst yoself

[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.

Imagine gatekeeping Linkedin messages universally based on the demographic background of the individual.

[nixy]

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.

Imagine gatekeeping Linkedin messages universally based on the demographic background of the individual.

Imagine not understanding that accomplishments have different meanings in different contexts.

[Anonymous User]

bump

[jimmythecatdied6]

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.

Imagine gatekeeping Linkedin messages universally based on the demographic background of the individual.

Imagine not understanding that accomplishments have different meanings in different contexts.

Of course meaning varies. I don't think anyone disagrees. It's the notion that one can discern the relative "meaning"/"value" of an achievement simply by looking at a LinkedIn profile. Apparently, the anon thinks it's OK for someone to celebrate if they look like they come from a disadvantaged background, but if they look like a "comfortable white guy from UVA", the world doesn't need to know. OK, I guess?

[nixy]

They weren’t talking about being able to tell someone’s background from a LinkedIn profile, they were talking about who should/shouldn’t do it.

[Anonymous User]

They weren’t talking about being able to tell someone’s background from a LinkedIn profile, they were talking about who should/shouldn’t do it.

Which thoughts were expressly couched in racial and socioeconomic terms. As if somehow those capture the totality of relevant factors or create some decision tree of worthiness.