Revising Career Goals on LinkedIn: The Role of Career-Related Social Comparison and Goal Discrepancy.

Professional networking platforms provide opportunities for career development but may also encourage career-related social comparison. This study examined whether the relationship between LinkedIn use and career goal revision is explained by career-related social comparison and perceived career goal discrepancy. Data from 188 LinkedIn users were analyzed using correlation and serial mediation analysis. More intensive LinkedIn use was associated with more frequent career-related social comparison, which was related to greater perceived career goal discrepancy and, in turn, stronger career goal revision. The proposed serial mediation model was supported. Post hoc analyses revealed differences between upward and downward career goal revision. Whereas the serial mediation pathway explained downward goal revision, upward goal revision was directly associated with LinkedIn use and was not explained by the proposed mediators. Career centrality was positively associated with career-related social comparison but did not influence the proposed relationships. The findings highlight LinkedIn as a context for career-related self-evaluation and goal regulation.