Is read.cv the new LinkedIn?
The start-up read.cv appears as a clear and elegant alternative to cluttered LinkedIn. Is this the new benchmark for professional networks?
Views are my own.
During the pandemic, in 2020, when the world was at a standstill and everything was kind of chaotic, I came across read.cv in the US. At the time, I was looking for a job in New York as an international student, clicking through networks and looking for innovative ways to present myself professionally.
And then there it was: read.cv — simple, purist and somehow different from all the rest. It was so relaxing and it immediately triggered something in me… Simply aesthetic!
LinkedIn — the Facebook of the business world
Today, LinkedIn almost feels like a trip back in time to Facebook’s past: It went from a clear career platform to a cluttered collection of curiosities with a private touch. Is it actually social media? A business network? A job board or perhaps even a news portal? Nobody really knows.
Initially intended as a focused business network, the feed is now full of videos, photos and personal stories that have little to do with networking. Between all the “kudos”, “skill badges” and reactions, it’s easy to lose track. Then there are notifications for minor things and the clumsy attempts by “influencers” to transfer their egocentric Instagram strategies to LinkedIn. Let’s be honest: unfortunately, many people on LinkedIn don’t have as much to offer career-wise as they think they do and just simulate beautiful illusions. Although this can be entertaining, it contributes little to the actual goal — networking and job opportunities. If you want to work abroad, you should therefore follow these essential tips instead.
LinkedIn is not always a blessing for applicants either: The “Easy Apply” button may sound tempting, but applications quickly get lost in the crowd: Who really gets a response there? I don’t know anyone. Your own profile becomes increasingly confusing and should not be considered a credible CV alternative. Recruiters love getting a first overview, but most profiles are full of distractions. Always apply directly on the company’s career page and find out which details you do NOT have to provide there.
Your network is your net worth: I am still a big fan of LinkedIn because it’s constantly changing and offers many unique advantages. Nevertheless, it’s getting harder and harder to find valuable information and real career opportunities because the background noise of content and advertising is increasing. Ultimately, it’s a mix of clever and sometimes not-so-sophisticated features that are unfortunately being lost more and more often. If LinkedIn doesn’t watch out, it could suffer the same fate as Facebook — it’s almost ironic how similar the UIs have become. Many users are already annoyed and “tired”.
It’s time for something new that’s not so cringe: This is where read.cv steps in!
The design of read.cv: less is more
In contrast to LinkedIn, read.cv focuses on a minimalist, stylish design. The platform is intentionally reduced and emphasizes the individuality of the user under the motto:
Read.cv is a show, don’t tell professional network with beautiful profiles and meaningful connections. Designed from the ground up to help you find new opportunities or your next great hire.
It’s not about overwhelming users with information, but about presenting your most important projects, skills and experience in an appealing way.
Profiles on read.cv almost look like curated portfolios rather than standardized CVs and are kept extremely subtle. Creative professionals and designers in particular can present their work in a visually appealing way — a clear advantage over the rather rigid, chronically overcrowded layout of LinkedIn. No surprise that more and more companies are discovering other social networks for themselves. Here’s a list of helpful Instagram accounts from consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG and more!
The advantages of read.cv
- 💭 Design that lets things breathe
LinkedIn is like a crowded shelf where everything is stacked chaotically. Everyone is there, but you can’t find anything. Read.cv, on the other hand, is like an empty, clean showroom where you can decide exactly what is visible. The platform is minimalist, almost meditative, and draws attention to what matters most: your work, your projects, your talent. No distractions, no pointless features — just you and your projects. Your portfolio finally gets the space it deserves here. Remember to keep your CV simple too: These 5 myths should not be part of any CV. - 🎨 A profile that is actually a canvas
Where LinkedIn often just seems like a confusing checklist of your professional life, read.cv lets you become truly individual. It’s not just about “skills” and “work experience”, but about who you are and what you do. It’s a portfolio that highlights your creative projects and your personal touch. You design it according to your ideas, the way you really want to show yourself — authentic, not standardized. - 👋 Connections that make sense
What I particularly love: read.cv is — at least for now — about class rather than quantity. No endless contact requests. Instead, the focus is on real connections, on people who are genuinely interested in what you do. It’s like a small but fine network: Simply perfect for people who are specialized or looking for creative exchange. - 💡Independence that inspires
Did you know that read.cv is not owned by a large corporation such as Microsoft unlike LinkedIn? It was founded by a small team of students who put the needs of the users and the aesthetics of the platform at the center. It grew out of a real problem. That makes it more independent, more experimental and in tune with the zeitgeist.
The potential of read.cv
Of course, this new platform does have some flaws, although I wouldn’t call them “disadvantages”. Read.cv has undergone a somewhat strange metamorphosis from a digital CV to a job platform in recent years. There is a great danger that at some point it will become a maze of features like LinkedIn, and that would be a great shame. I hope that the multitude of features is more of a “proof of concept” and part of a holistic user testing strategy to see what works and what doesn’t. And that read.cv then follows its very strict reputation and radically sorts out what doesn’t work. At the moment they are probably still in an experimental phase and I hope that in the near future they will limit themselves to the essentials. They are by far the best at this minimalism and it will very probably help them to achieve worldwide success — as the ultimate antithesis to everything that existed before.
Read.cv also has to think about funding too. There are now models similar to Medium that allow you to become a “supporter”, i.e. a paying supporter. However, the idea of the digital CV should not lead to an old-school job application process on the accompanying job portal. Perhaps the “end-to-end” idea could be further developed: Could read.cv turn into an ATS so that we can finally get away from rigid PDFs?
Read.cv occasionally leans towards an obscure collection of features: there is a PDF generator, but it is not worth mentioning and I would classify it as “insufficient”. Another unusual section is the Gift Shop, which is located in the middle of the menu — I really don’t see why. Even the landing page can seem overwhelming at first. All in all, there is still a lot of room for improvement and, as already mentioned, I see all these aspects more as an analysis of potential: I have full confidence that read.cv will continue to bring their creativity to bear and revolutionize an entire industry.
So, is read.cv the new LinkedIn?
Probably not for everyone — and that’s a good thing. Read.cv is more of an alternative for people who are looking for a platform that not only shows them as a “business profile”, but also allows them to present themselves and their work authentically and without distraction. Anyone who wants to quickly share a CV or URL will certainly be happy here. So if you’re looking for a place that gives you space to show your work in a pure, clear and yet creative way, then read.cv is –without a doubt– a genuine recommendation.
read.cv is what LinkedIn can no longer be: simple, clear and personal.
Nowadays, business contacts are established or almost collected exclusively on LinkedIn. This is why LinkedIn is certainly not going to disappear any time soon, because your own network would have to move gradually. But read.cv has created a niche that strikes just the right chord in today’s working world and softens the LinkedIn monopoly in style. In contrast to the competition, read.cv could develop into a real love brand. Anyone with an eye for aesthetics who is a fan of Medium will love read.cv.
You can find my read.cv here
https://read.cv/patriciaparnet
Give it a try — I think you might like it!
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💜 Feedback & Questions
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