Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is revolutionizing LinkedIn by bringing authenticity, empathy, and creativity to professional networking. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z isn’t interested in buttoned-up bios or robotic messages - they crave real connections rooted in shared values, stories, and mutual respect.

This generation, raised on social media and digital fluency, sees LinkedIn not as a formal job board, but as a platform for community building. They embrace networking horizontally - connecting with peers, not just higher-ups - and prioritize conversations over connections. Gen Z professionals like Genesis Gutierrez and Zaria Parvez lead with empathy and humor, proving that being genuine trumps being overly polished.

They also share personal wins and challenges openly, rejecting outdated corporate facades. Their strategy is simple: be real, offer value, and engage consistently. Whether you're in marketing or supply chain, adapting to this new LinkedIn culture means ditching the jargon and showing your human side.

This Gen Z-led shift is more than a trend - it's a movement. With their connection rates outpacing older generations by up to 143%, now is the time to lean into authenticity and rethink what professional networking really means.