HR exec rejects candidate for not being active on LinkedIn: 'It's where hiring managers stalk you'; netizens get brutal

A talent acquisition specialist became the center of ridicule on Reddit’s popular LinkedInLunatics thread after she revealed that she dismissed a strong applicant solely because of their lack of engagement on LinkedIn. Her now-viral post stirred a wave of criticism, as she shared that despite the candidate having an impressive resume, she quickly lost interest upon reviewing their LinkedIn profile, which lacked any real content or presence.

Overemphasis on Online Persona

In her original post, the recruiter expressed disappointment over the profile's blank headline, missing summary, lack of personal storytelling, and even absence of a profile picture. She argued that LinkedIn should be more than a digital resume, viewing it as a platform where candidates can shape their professional identity, display their individuality, and become discoverable to recruiters and hiring teams even before formally applying.

According to her, the absence of such elements made it impossible to understand the candidate beyond the basic qualifications listed in their CV. She insisted that a complete LinkedIn profile could tell a fuller story about a person’s professional journey, voice, and personality.

"It’s where hiring managers stalk you before interviews," she wrote on LinkedIn.

She encouraged professionals to write compelling headlines, include reflective summaries, and maintain a visible timeline to showcase more than just job history. To her, LinkedIn was a strategic platform for narrative control—not just a static list of achievements.


Internet Users React Sharply

However, Reddit users did not hold back in their responses. Many criticized her for placing too much weight on a social media platform rather than actual qualifications or experience. One commenter sarcastically questioned the idea that hiring managers should “stalk” potential candidates online, finding the notion invasive and inappropriate.

Others raised serious legal and ethical concerns about the recruiter’s preference for profiles with photos. Some Redditors argued that judging applicants based on their display pictures could easily veer into discriminatory territory—potentially filtering individuals based on race, gender, or age, which are legally protected characteristics.

Critics were also quick to point out that the role of recruiters is to evaluate if a candidate’s skill set aligns with job requirements—not whether they maintain a polished LinkedIn page. Many emphasized that true talent often comes from diverse walks of life and that social media presence should never be the litmus test for potential.