Do You Like Me? First Impressions on LinkedIn

Abstract

This study explored first impressions derived from LinkedIn profiles. Two independent factors were manipulated: viewing a hiring manager's LinkedIn profile and completing LinkedIn Learning courses. Four LinkedIn profiles were created to evaluate hiring manager's impressions of a job candidate. Participants were randomly presented with one of the four profiles and answered questions about their overall impressions of the candidate and their likelihood to invite the candidate for a job interview. Initial findings suggested that hiring managers provided more positive ratings for applicants who did not complete LinkedIn Learning courses. Further analyses, using only participants with correct manipulation responses, revealed no significant results for viewing a hiring manger's profile, completing LinkedIn Learning, or an interaction between the two on a hiring managers impression of a job candidate.