2020 has brought more change than any of us could have imagined. Our personal lives look extremely different now than they did this time last year. For many of us, our working lives have also undergone serious change.
However, change does not always have to be a negative thing. If you have the right tools at your disposal, and you know how to use them properly, you can design a future that bears a lot more resemblance to the life you would like to live.
LinkedIn could be the most important tool in your belt when it comes to achieving a satisfying future at work. Here’s why.
LinkedIn’s place in career transition
In the past year, I have been lucky enough to work with Transition Hub, delivering the LinkedIn section of their excellent career transition program.
LinkedIn forms an integral part of the program because it gives you the capacity not just to transition your career successfully following a role change or redundancy, but also to transition into the career you actually want.
Many people get stuck in the same type of job for many years because they rely too heavily on their resumés. Your resumé is simply a list of previous work achievements. If this is how you perceive yourself - as a walking embodiment of everything you have done in the past - you will keep attracting the same roles at approximately the same level. You can’t progress your career or break into new areas because you’re not showing anything new.
LinkedIn gives us the ability to influence how we are perceived. It enables us to talk in greater depth about who we are and why we do what we do, showcase our strengths and achievements, and show true thought leadership by uploading other media such as articles we’ve written. It demonstrates that we are constantly evolving.
This is an ideal way to get noticed for the job roles you want, rather than the ones you’ve already done.
Why you need LinkedIn now more than ever
In spite of the depressed global economy at present, three people are still being hired every second through LinkedIn.
This is because LinkedIn gives you the power to stand out from the crowd. There is more competition for attention these days, and LinkedIn is a great tool for showcasing yourself in your best light. This means having a winning profile and an up-to-date picture. It means being your authentic self on the platform so you have a recognisable voice.
Above all, it means being present on LinkedIn. Networking face-to-face is not an option in the current climate, so we need to move these conversations online and attract the attention of the people we need. As the world’s largest professional platform, LinkedIn is the ideal place to make those vital connections.
Take the next step
Things may be difficult right now. But take this opportunity to think about who you really want to be. Break out of the mould of what you used to do and let your LinkedIn profile reflect what you want to do. What motivates you? What problems do you love solving?
Through bringing your authentic energy to the platform, you will make someone realise they have a you-shaped hole in their organisation. LinkedIn can be the gateway to your future career success and satisfaction.
If your organisation is making roles redundant in the current climate, and you want your staff supported through a career transition program, please reach out to Transition Hub. This excellent program will provide your staff with the future skills they need for ongoing success.
Expert & author bio: With 14 years of experience as a recruiter, Karen Tisdell is our resident Transition Hub LinkedIn expert, who guides people to best utilise their online presence to meaningfully engage with their network and establish their personal brand.