On Safer Internet Day, globally celebrated on February 11, LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional social network, reaffirms its commitment to helping professionals protect themselves during online job searches. Recognized in over 100 countries, this year’s mobilization has the theme “Education for Digital Citizenship” and aims to empower society to use the digital environment critically, ethically, and responsibly.
In a scenario where the search for new job opportunities is increasingly digitized, the theme is especially important for Brazilians, since by 2025, 3 out of 5 professionals plan to change jobs and 65% of the platform’s users in the country affirm using LinkedIn for this purpose. To ensure that this process occurs safely and without unexpected events, it is essential that they adopt practices that protect their personal information, ensuring that the search for a new career unfolds smoothly and without risks.
Among LinkedIn’s efforts to ensure the safety of its users, the profile verification tool stands out, which can be used for identity confirmation and generates a visible seal on profiles for free, showing that the account has been authenticated and is indeed trustworthy.
“On LinkedIn, we demand that each profile represents a real person and we have clear policies that prohibit fake profiles. To achieve this, the Trust and Safety teams work every day identifying and restricting non-authentic activities. One of the ways used to ensure that accounts are real is the Automated Detection System at Scale, where more than 97% of fake accounts are identified and removed from the platform,” explains Milton Beck, General Manager of LinkedIn for Latin America.
To further improve job search and overall network usage, LinkedIn has listed some tips to make the platform even safer:
1- Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true: malicious individuals often attract their victims with tempting promises, such as salaries above average for basic roles. If the proposal seems unreal, it’s worth researching more information about the company and even connecting with other employees to learn more about the opportunity.
2- Watch out for suspicious requests: reputable recruiters do not usually ask the user to download encrypted files for interviews. This request should raise the candidate’s attention. Additionally, be cautious with alleged positions that require upfront payment for courses, materials, or registrations, and never provide bank details on the platform.
3- Research the company, recruiter, and position: It is important to confirm if the company has a verified page on LinkedIn, a seal indicating that the organization has undergone an authentication process. In addition, there are ways to check if the recruiter is really linked to the company, such as analyzing their profile and connections, for example. Many companies often advertise positions directly on their official channels, so it is always valid to compare the information.
4- To ensure a safer search, LinkedIn offers tools such as:
- Verified job filter – allows you to view only opportunities posted by companies with authenticated profiles.
- Messages with risk alert – LinkedIn can flag messages that contain suspicious content.
- Two-step verification – this feature adds an extra layer of security to the account, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
5- Report Suspicious Activities: When you identify a suspicious job posting or message, reporting can be done directly on the platform. LinkedIn has a dedicated team to investigate potential frauds and ensure a safer environment for professionals seeking new opportunities.
Searching for a job requires caution, but with the right tools and extra attention, it is possible to find good opportunities without falling into traps. Additionally, LinkedIn continues to invest in tools to ensure a safe and reliable environment for professionals worldwide. To learn more about the platform’s security initiatives, visit.
