US Job Market Faces Wave of Layoffs
Employees Launch Comment Campaign on LinkedIn
Supporting Unemployed Colleagues' Reemployment Efforts
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave of restructuring has swept through the U.S. job market, leading to a growing movement among users of the job platform LinkedIn to leave comments on posts by unemployed colleagues. Users believe that posts with more comments are more prominently displayed on the platform, and they appear to be engaging in this behavior to support their colleagues' reemployment.
On the 22nd, The Wall Street Journal (local time) reported that as companies continue layoffs due to COVID-19, a so-called "CFBR" comment challenge has been spreading on LinkedIn, a job search platform. CFBR stands for "Commenting For Better Reach."
This movement began to spread after a LinkedIn user posted a message calling for solidarity among job seekers on the platform. Recently, a professional named James Perry emphasized that many people have lost their jobs due to the restructuring wave sweeping the U.S. job market and urged the community to unite to help unemployed colleagues find new employment.
In response, users have been commenting with the keyword "CFBR" on posts by unemployed colleagues, hoping these posts will gain more exposure on the platform. LinkedIn has confirmed that job postings with more comments are more likely to be displayed on the platform for longer periods.
The WSJ noted that this comment challenge by users could actually influence companies in their hiring decisions. A higher number of comments on a post indicates that many colleagues endorse the job seeker's career and abilities.
However, some critics argue that users comment out of social pressure within their peer groups. In an interview with the WSJ, a LinkedIn user said, "Social pressure is a factor that leads to commenting," adding that one must not neglect to comment when a colleague is laid off to maintain trust within the group.
There are also criticisms that commenting is used as the least effort way to comfort unemployed colleagues. The WSJ criticized, "Those who comment on colleagues' job search posts for exposure do not take further action to help beyond commenting."
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