Yes, LinkedIn Is Getting Noisy — No, You Don’t Have to Play Along
By Transition Solutions / Sarah Blankenship
How to ignore the social media circus and make the platform work for you
In Part 1 of this three-part series, we explored Why LinkedIn Matters After 50 (Even If You Hate It). This week, let’s tackle the myth that you have to feed the social-media machine to land a role.
If you’ve opened LinkedIn recently and wondered, “Did I click on Facebook by mistake?”, you’re not alone. The world’s largest professional network has drifted into a digital block party where promotions and professional news often take a back seat to vacation recaps, engagement announcements, and the occasional toddler serving up “leadership lessons.”
For job seekers over 50, this shift can be confusing, distracting, and frankly exhausting. You’re here to find opportunities, not to wade through emotional monologues that are irrelevant to you landing a job.
But here’s the good news: LinkedIn can look ridiculous and still be incredibly effective. You just need to know how tune out the social media circus.
The key is knowing what’s noise… and what’s useful.
At Transition Solutions, we specialize in guiding seasoned professionals through today’s complex job market. We help job seekers over 50 cut through the LinkedIn noise, focus on strategies that actually work, and showcase their experience to the right opportunities. With our expert coaching and proven tools, you can confidently navigate LinkedIn, expand your network, and make your next career move with purpose.
Why the Feed Looks So Chaotic (and Personal)
Not long ago, LinkedIn was stiff, buttoned-up, and allergic to personality. Then during Covid, the platform’s algorithm shifted. LinkedIn realized something simple: People react more to emotional, personal content than to whitepapers and business updates.
More reaction = more scrolling
More scrolling = more revenue
And let’s be real, LinkedIn doesn’t exist because they have bleeding hearts for job seekers. They are a $17billion company. They are here to make money.
So, the feed now promotes whatever gets engagement, even if it’s not remotely helpful to your job search.
That’s why you see:
- Wedding photos
- Sabbatical diaries
- Tearful resignation stories
- Inspirational quotes over beach sunsets
It’s not that professional content disappeared, it now has to compete with “My dog taught me these 3 leadership lessons.”
You’re allowed to roll your eyes. Just don’t confuse “the feed” with “the platform.”
Boost your career with Transition Solutions’ LinkedIn expertise. We help job seekers and professionals optimize their profiles, navigate the algorithms that drive their feed, create engaging content, and build strategic networks to increase visibility and attract recruiters.
Your Goal Is NOT To Go Viral
This is where many job seekers get stuck, especially those who’ve been in the workforce for 25–30+ years. Often job seekers mistakenly assume the only way to use LinkedIn effectively is to become a content creator.
Wrong.
You don’t need to publish a stream of deep thoughts, document your breakfast, or write a memoir-length post about resilience. Your real goal on LinkedIn is far simpler: Be findable, credible, and easy to contact.
When a recruiter lands on your profile, they are looking for answers:
- What do you do?
- Where have you done it?
- What problems do you solve?
- Are you up to speed with modern work?
If your profile answers those questions clearly, you’re already ahead of most people. No motivational quotes needed.
Don’t try to go viral—do try to get noticed! Transition Solutions guides professionals to create LinkedIn profiles that are findable, credible, and recruiter-ready, highlighting your expertise and career accomplishments.
Your Profile Still Does Most of the Work
Even with the circus happening in the feed, hiring still starts with your profile, not your posts.
A strong profile includes:
- A current, professional photo
- A headline that says what you do (not just your title)
- A concise About section that explains your direction
- Your work history
- Skills + certifications
- At least 2-3 recommendations
That’s it.
Think of your profile as your professional storefront. Even if you never post, if you look open for business, you’re in the game.
Transition Solutions helps professionals build LinkedIn profiles that work for them. With the right photo, headline, experience, and recommendations, your profile becomes a recruiter-ready showcase of your skills and expertise.
A Little Activity Goes a Long Way
Do you need to post daily? Absolutely not. But occasional activity can signal that you’re present, not hibernating.
This can be as simple as:
- Commenting thoughtfully on industry posts
- Sharing an article with one sentence about why it matters
- Congratulating someone on a new role
We’re talking minutes a week, not a new part-time job. And definitely nothing that feeds the social media algorithm.
Personal vs. Personal-Professional
If you don’t want to be seen as posting something that falls under the “too personal” category, here’s the filter I like for job seekers: Would you say it at a professional networking event?
If yes → You’re fine.
If no → Save it for your group chat.
For example: “I visited Italy last month and noticed how retailers are using robotics to manage inventory.” This is personal, but also insightful and relevant.
Versus: “Had the best pasta of my life! I grew two pant sizes on our trip to Italy!” Which is great for Instagram, but not so great for landing a job.
Your personality is welcome, as long as it connects back to your professional world.
The Bottom Line
Yes, LinkedIn looks more like Facebook than it used to. No, you don’t have to join the social media spectacle. Underneath the noise, it’s still the #1 place where hiring happens.
You don’t need to post every day, chase viral content, craft dramatic storytelling, or share photos of puppies to make LinkedIn work for you. What actually matters is having a clear, current profile, showing occasional engagement, and maintaining a professional presence. That’s enough to help you get noticed, without turning your job search into a performing arts project.
Maximize LinkedIn with Transition Solutions. We guide professionals in creating standout profiles, posting meaningful updates, and staying visible to recruiters—without trying to go viral.
In Part 3, we’ll get tactical. What a LinkedIn routine looks like, and how to maintain it without becoming part of the noise.
Transition Solutions has been helping companies and individuals with workforce changes for 35 years. Our strong reputation for consistently delivering exceptional service at value sets us apart.
If you would like more information on our services, please check out our website at: https://www.transitionsolutions.com/ or you can contact us directly at 888-424-0003 or email us at info@transitionsolutions.com
Be sure to follow our LinkedIn company page where we share advice for companies and individuals going through workforce changes at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transition-solutions/