A Former Coworker Plagiarized My LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn Profile Plagiarism

I’ve written about LinkedIn profile plagiarism in the past. It’s still very much a hot topic and I often get emails from people with additional questions. The most popular question is: what do you do when a coworker plagiarizes your LinkedIn profile?

It’s one thing when the person who takes your work is a stranger, it’s an entirely different matter when it’s someone you know and work alongside. So what do you do when a coworker plagiarizes your LinkedIn Profile? Read on for 4 different strategies to deal with this professional breach:

Hi Donna,

I read your article on this subject.

But what if the plagiarizer is someone you know, and even like!

Yes, you guessed it, a former coworker plagiarized my LinkedIn Profile!

Worse yet, we have 135 people in common!

Without sounding snobbish, I know that people who know both of us, would know that this isn’t her writing or her personality.

And ideas how to handle this?

Sincerely, B.

What to do When a Coworker Plagiarizes Your LinkedIn Profile

Hi B!

What a tough situation you are in. It’s one thing when a stranger steals your work, it’s a much touchier situation when a former coworker plagiarizes your LinkedIn Profile. Here are a couple of ideas on how to handle this very awkward situation:

1. 1. Write her a new summary/experience and give it to her as a gift
   2. Change your LinkedIn profile so it’s EVEN BETTER – heck, hire us to write your LinkedIn profile so it’s beyond impressive!
   3. Approach her and let her know that you are hurt she took your words. Tell her that you would appreciate it if she would change her profile. Here’s a script you can use:
      
      “Hey Susie, this is hard for me but it’s something that I need to speak to you about. I was on LinkedIn the other day and I saw your LinkedIn profile. There were large sections that were copied and pasted from MY LinkedIn profile. I worked really hard to get the right message across and it upsets me that you used my original content on your LinkedIn profile. Can you be a doll and remove my writing from your LinkedIn profile?”
   4. Let it go. Maybe no one will notice. Put your energy into something else. Smile. Love. Help somebody be better.

Whatever way you go, I wish you the very best of luck. This is a tough situation to be in but I am sure you will do what’s right for you.

–Donna