Games on LinkedIn: Will the networking site follow Facebook?

LinkedIn is developing several games with names like Queens, Inference, and Crossclimb. US TechCrunch reports. It is not clear exactly what type of games these are.

“We're experimenting with adding puzzle games within LinkedIn to create a bit of fun, deepen relationships and spark conversations,” a LinkedIn spokesperson said. TechCrunch.

Mutual competition

The launch date has not been announced yet. Web developers saw from the programming code that LinkedIn was working on games. According to one of the developers, the goal is for game participants to also be able to share their scores instantly, so companies can start competing with each other.

Corinne Keizer, author of the book 400 tips and ideas for your LinkedIn posts, She almost fell out of her chair in surprise when she learned that LinkedIn was experimenting with games.

Surprise in plans

“LinkedIn is disappointed because it is slowly changing from a commercial social medium to one like Facebook. They recently modified the algorithm so that personal stories are less likely to be shared widely,” says Keizer.

Keizer points out that since the Corona crisis, the network’s website has become full of stories of deceased grandmothers, pregnancies, and weddings. “People missed the chit-chat in the office and started sharing information that would normally be exchanged over a coffee machine on LinkedIn.”

However, the average user is disappointed by this, according to Keijzer. He wants to keep it practical. So LinkedIn changed its algorithm last year. Previously, a message that was quickly shared or liked would end up in the second or third circle of communications.

Interest first

“Thanks to the new algorithm, a message that is not related to work will henceforth not bypass first-class communications,” explains Keizer.

LinkedIn would like to encourage this further. The company uses a resume and past behavior on the networking site to determine where a person's business interests lie. “You will then see posts that match those interests sooner, even if they are old messages.”

It is difficult for employers

Keijzer calls it surprising that LinkedIn now wants to offer games. “This doesn't fit the policy. They always say they don't want audiences and clicks. It's also not good for employers for employees to play games during the day. Because many companies prohibit the use of Facebook but allow LinkedIn.”

Keijzer thinks it's a shame that LinkedIn is becoming more and more similar to Facebook. “But there are two camps, as I've noticed in my courses. Entrepreneurs often think you have to be very personal and show your human side. Recruiters often want to keep it more real.”

Her advice: Showing humanity is allowed, but keep it practical. “So there are no messages about your dead grandmother or an upcoming wedding. You can report that you're having a bad day because you got rejected three quotes. Or that you said 'no' to a client because you don't understand each other. Then you put it aside and see something of yourself, in a practical way.” “

Games say something about character

Should LinkedIn quickly shut down the gaming experience? Ledoy van der Sluis, professor of strategic talent management and organizational leadership at Nynerrode Business University, sees it differently.

“Employers also want to know what kind of person they are working with,” says van der Sluis. “The more they know about the candidate, the better. Gaming results can help with this.”

This is less fun for employees who are not good with games, according to Van der Sluys. “You want to present yourself in a positive light. Everyone is watching. And employers also know that you present yourself better than you are. It is not nice for others to see that you score poorly in a match. And it is not without reason that we often By only reporting our successes on LinkedIn.”

The difference between a manager and a new graduate

Like Keijzer, Van der Sluis sees people increasingly posting personal stories on LinkedIn. According to her, it depends on the situation, whether you should do it or not.

“The general view among recruiters: The more responsible someone's position is, the more professional you have to act. So, as a manager, you shouldn't publish personal stories. Then you show yourself too much as a person. But someone who is just starting out says Der Sluis: “His career can do better.”