Key facts
- Job seekers are sharing GoFundMe links on LinkedIn due to financial hardship.
- Many users frame the decision to crowdfund on LinkedIn as awkward but necessary.
- About half of the posts reviewed were from people raising money after layoffs or extended job searches.
- The hiring rate has fallen to levels last seen during the early pandemic and Great Recession.
- Seeking financial support on LinkedIn carries risks of stigma, scams, and unwanted scrutiny.
In response to prolonged job searches and financial emergencies, some individuals are sharing GoFundMe campaigns on LinkedIn, a platform traditionally used for professional networking. Jesse Jashinsky, a laid-off software engineer, shared his campaign on LinkedIn after his car broke down, raising over $3,800. Business Insider reviewed 50 such posts, finding common themes of extended unemployment, mounting bills, and the awkwardness of asking for help. The trend reflects a broader shift in online norms, with social media encouraging more open expressions of vulnerability. Experts suggest that the perceived effectiveness of crowdfunding on social platforms and the increasing presence of younger generations more accustomed to sharing personal experiences contribute to this phenomenon. While this transparency can be effective, it also carries risks of stigma and scams. The white-collar demographic disproportionately affected by the current hiring slowdown may also be a factor in LinkedIn's increased use for such appeals. Despite the potential downsides, many job seekers do not regret sharing their fundraisers online, with GoFundMe stating that most fundraisers are legitimate.