LinkedIn has proved to be a vital part of our
professional lives, providing us with the opportunity to connect with
colleagues, potential employers and industry peers. Yet, there may be times
when you have to take a break without permanently deleting your account. This
might be for personal growth, career change, or just escaping the digital
world. In all cases, a temporary LinkedIn deactivation can bring the needed
space.
A short-term pause from LinkedIn can be advantageous for
several reasons. This way, you have some time to yourself to turn off the
constant notifications, messages, and updates, allowing you to spend your time
doing other things in your life/career. It also assists in keeping a work-life
balance and avoiding burnout by removing digital overload.
Let us find out how to deactivate your LinkedIn account temporarily and understand the process deeper.
Why I Decide to Deactivate LinkedIn Temporarily
1. Privacy Concerns
In a period where your online privacy is becoming a major concern, you may feel the necessity of suspending your profile temporarily to review your digital identity and to deal with particular privacy concerns.
2. Taking a Break from Professional Networking
Staying active on social media for professional reasons can be extremely exhausting at times. Having a break makes it easy for you to recharge and refocus without the pressure of constantly being online.
3. Job Change or a Career Transition
When you are seeking a job change or career transition, you may want to put your profile on hold until you are ready for recruiters or connections to contact you.
Preparation Before Deactivation
Before you decide to deactivate your profile, it is vital that you take a few steps to prepare yourself for the transition.
1. Back up the Important Data
Back up any valuable information from your profile, including contacts, recommendations, endorsements, etc. This enables you to maintain the link and not lose any significant references for future work.
2. Inform Connections (Optional)
Tell your close friends or professional partners that you will deactivate your profile. This gesture also keeps transparency and provides other means of communication out of the platform.
How To Deactivate LinkedIn Account Temporarily
Step 1: Log in
Start by logging in to your account with a username and password. Make sure that you have the email address that you used to register for the app handy so that the verification is easier.
Step 2: Open Settings & Privacy
Once you are logged in, locate this option "Settings & Privacy", on the menu bar. This can be done by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner and from the drop-down menu, selecting the option "Settings & Privacy".
Step 3: Select Account Management
In the "Settings & Privacy" section, there is an "Account Preference" tab which you should navigate to. Click on it and scroll down to the "Account Management" section.
Step 4: Choose "Hibernate Account"
Under the menu "Account Management", you will find an option to "Hibernate Account". Press this option to proceed to the closure process.
Step 5: Ensure to have a Clear Purpose of Deactivation
The app will demand you to type the reason you are about to deactivate your profile. Select the most suitable option from the given list or choose "Other" if your reason is not included in the list.
Step 6: Please Confirm the Account Deactivation
After you choose the reason for deactivation, you will be asked to confirm your decision. Review the information given and press the "Continue" button to deactivate your LinkedIn account for now.
What Happens After Deactivating Your LinkedIn Account
1. Temporary Deactivation vs. Permanent Deletion
It is extremely important to learn the difference between deactivating a profile for a temporary time and deleting it permanently. Temporary deactivation permits you to enjoy some rest from the platform while retaining your profile, contacts, and data. On the other hand, permanent removal will delete your profile and the data associated with it from the app forever.
2. Consequences on Your Profile and Relationships
While you are on a break, your profile will be invisible to others and it will not appear in search results nor will you receive notifications. Nevertheless, your profile, connections, and messages will still be there, and you can log back in at any time to renew your account.
Reactivating Your LinkedIn Account
Should you decide to return to the app:
1. Logging Back In: Just use your current username and
password to access your profile.
2. Confirming Reactivation: you will be guided step by step through the process of reactivation which will be in the form of
confirming your identity and reviewing any updates to the terms of service.
3. Updating Profile Information: After the reactivation
process, verify and update your profile as required to reflect any changes that
may have occurred since your deactivation.
Conclusion
Temporary deactivation of your LinkedIn profile can be
a great way to get rid of the pressures that come with professional
networking while also helping you to focus on your mental well-being and
privacy. By undertaking the above steps and reflecting on the alternatives, you
can manage your online presence appropriately and join the app when the time is
right for you.
