How to Update your LinkedIn to be recession-proof

November 12, 2022

Going through a recession is difficult, financially but also emotionally. With companies planning to reduce their workforce in the next months, it is imperative to prepare and update your visibility, especially if you might expect to be or have been laid off. Here’s the first thing to do:

Update your LinkedIn!

Even though scrolling through LinkedIn sometimes makes it seem like a place where everybody is doing better than you, don’t get discouraged. Instead of letting the imposter syndrome get in your way, use LinkedIn to your own benefit. Here are 5 tips for a competitive LinkedIn profile:

1. Showcase your experience and skills

Update your LinkedIn CV with the latest projects you have been working on and your latest achievements. For every project, list your responsibilities and give an example of an achievement you are proud of. Finish off with a quantifiable result such as: “Acquired 5 new clients in the past year, bringing a revenue of X.” Add all relevant skills that you have and ask a few friends and/or colleagues for endorsement. Have you participated in a conference, course or training that could be relevant to your occupation? Add it to your profile! This way, you show that you are eager to learn and develop yourself further.

2. Use the #Opentowork feature

Update your LinkedIn photo with the #opentowork sticker. Let recruiters know you are open to work! This helps recruiters to easily find you and connect with you. Moreover, it allows your network to help connect you with potential job offers available in their network.

3. Write a post asking your network to connect you with potential jobs.

The #Opentowork feature is great, but writing a post on your situation and the opportunities you are looking for is even better. You could go for something like this:
“Hey network, I’m open to work thanks to recession layoffs.
Looking forward to showcasing my love for two things I know how to do best: sales strategy and client relations. If you know of job openings in Sales, send me a direct message or contact me via [email protected]. Thank you!”

4. Talk to people

I know, networking sucks sometimes. But most jobs offers happen through referrals and just as friendships, your network requires some time, effort and attention from you to prosper. Thankfully, LinkedIn is the perfect environment to easily keep in touch with your network. Try this: commit to “making contact” with one person in your network per day. This can be liking or commenting on someone’s post. Congratulate people when they update on their job position. These small acts only take you a couple of seconds, but they go a long way because you constantly keep in touch with your network.

5. Increase your visibility

If you don’t enjoy posting on social media (including LinkedIn), you have to be very brave now: If you want to maximise your visibility among your own and your network’s network, you’ll have to be more out there. Share content that is interesting and relevant to you and include a few sentences with your own thoughts and experience on the subject matter. For example, say you work in recruitment and you come across an article on the risks of using AI for recruitment decisions. Instead of just hitting the like button, share this article on LinkedIn and include a small comment on why you agree (or disagree) with the main message and how you have experienced the use of AI in recruitment. This way, you will boost your visibility and establish yourself as an expert in your field. Remember, LinkedIn is not just a digital version on your resume, but rather a dynamic platform that allows you to share your thoughts, skills and passions with your network every day. You are in control of your own story.

Finally, do not despair. Finding a good job may be a daunting process but with persistence and proactivity you can land the job you deserve!

Are you lookind for more tips on improving your career and making sure you achieve your career goals? Check out out Ultimate Career Guide here!

Get the support you always wanted

We know that sometimes, small actions of reflection like the ones we suggest in this article, quickly slip our mind and before we know it, we forget about them altogether. If you need an occasional reminder, follow us on our Instagram and Facebook page – we use it as an interactive way to help each other implement the advice we suggest in our blog posts. And we love to hear about your experiences and thoughts!