"What to Put on LinkedIn When You Are Unemployed" - 06/03/20 Edition
Stephen Says Column
Dear Stephen,
I was furloughed from my job a month ago, and this week my company announced significant cuts. For some of us, those furloughs turned into terminations. I was the last hired in my division in Chicago, and so I was let go first. Of course, I want to find a new job as soon as possible. Other people I know who lost their jobs are already interviewing. Here is my question:
What do I put on my Linkedin?
I received a pretty generous severance, so in my head, I feel like I am still working for my employer until the severance is up.
Legally I know I am not working there because I am already collecting unemployment. Part of me hates the idea of announcing to my network and the world that I lost my job. I am always concerned about what people will think. Do I have to change the status on Linkedin?
Out of work With Too Much Pride
Dear Pride,
When you’re unemployed, updating your Linkedin profile can get complicated in a hurry. But only if you let it. Remember, the purpose of updating your profile is to attract prospective employers. Choosing the wrong content could drive hiring managers away instead of attracting them. Or if they think you are happily employed, you may not be the first person they contact for an interview. A lot of who is even contacted about an opening is controlled by AI (artificial intelligence). So I think everyone should know you are unemployed.
Did you say you are worried about what people think? Are you kidding me? If there is ever a time not to worry about judging you for being out of work, it is now.
My career advice for finding a new job is to make it evident on your Linkedin profile that you are unemployed so that prospective employers contact you. That is also the fastest way to get the word out to your peers in case they have any ideas for you.
Remember it’s so easy to update social media today. You cannot tell anyone: “Oh, it happened so fast. I have not had a chance to update my Linkedin profile yet”. They will not believe you, think you are a dinosaur or worse dishonest. Really, not a chance to update? What have you been doing?
It’s essential to be honest because it’s easy for potential employers to check your background when considering you for an interview or employment. Prospective employers usually do this way before they tell you. And guess what? Being unemployed rarely has any impact on what they will offer financially, which is sometimes what the candidate thinks. (I know you were thinking that!).
So get out there fast and let people know you are looking! You are competing with a lot of other people right now. I think you want everyone to know you are looking sooner than later to get the interview sooner than later. Make it clear you’re hunting, and I promise you will have a new job before you know it.
Stephen
You can send your workplace questions to Stephen at: StephenSays@bellow.press
Questions selected to be answered, will appear in this column. Please use the Subject: Stephen Says for all emails. Stephen Viscusi is a bestselling author, television personality, and CEO of The Viscusi Group, global executive recruiters located in New York. Follow Stephen on Twitter @stephenviscusi. Like Stephen on Facebook and follow him on LinkedIn.
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