Elon Musk’s digital platform, X, formerly Twitter, has taken a bold step into the professional networking arena by introducing a beta version of a job-hiring feature. This functionality enables verified organizations to showcase job opportunities directly on their profiles, thereby entering the competitive domain of platforms like LinkedIn.
A Twitter user, Ian Zelbo, stirred a discussion on the subject by stating, “Is there anything worse than LinkedIn?” Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind X, provided a candid response on the platform, sharing his perspective on the matter. In his reply, he conveyed, “People send me LinkedIn links sometimes, but the cringe level is so high that I just can’t bring myself to use it, so I ask for the resume or bio to be emailed. We will make sure that the X competitor to LinkedIn is cool.”
The discussion gained momentum as Musk expressed his strong opinion about LinkedIn, describing it as “the most cringe platform on the internet.” His candid remarks resonated with many who have encountered the platform’s quirks and limitations.
Social media users swiftly joined the conversation, offering their insights on the matter. One user highlighted the issue of inflated titles on LinkedIn, where individuals often claim roles that are far removed from their actual responsibilities within a company.
Another user pointed out LinkedIn’s attempt to impose pronoun usage, irrespective of user preferences, with the feature being hidden outside the US due to its lack of acceptance in different cultural contexts.
Critiques extended to the platform’s user experience as well. A user likened LinkedIn’s rigidity to outdated phones that failed to evolve with the times.
Musk’s statement regarding the introduction of the job-hiring feature in May resurfaced in the discussion. In response to a suggestion that Twitter could expand to include dating services, Musk had responded, “Interesting idea, maybe jobs too.” This strategic move aligns with Musk’s vision of transforming X into an all-encompassing app that caters to a multitude of online activities.
Further insights emerged from a July report by TechCrunch, revealing that Twitter had acquired Laskie, a job-matching tech startup, in May. This acquisition likely played a pivotal role in the development and release of the new job-hiring feature.
Notably, a US-based media company, WorkWeek, has already been utilizing this feature for a month. Adam Ryan, the CEO of WorkWeek, seized the opportunity to showcase the feature while also taking a light-hearted jab at Mark Zuckerberg’s recently launched Twitter competitor, Threads.
Elon Musk’s ambitious endeavor to refine professional networking and streamline the job-hunting process could potentially reshape how professionals interact and explore career opportunities in the digital age.