When I was laid off from my position at Forbes, I felt completely blindsided. I had spent years associating myself with my title of marketing director at such a well-known brand, and then it was gone just like that. Like many people, I found myself staring at my laptop and outdated résumé, wondering: “What now?”
The job market was (and still is) challenging. I knew simply mass sending résumés out to jobs was not going to work this time. Instead, I needed to show up meaningfully, build real connections, and focus on standing out in more authentic ways online.
For someone who spent years helping brands tell their stories, I suddenly had to figure out my own, and fast. So, I decided to turn to LinkedIn to build my personal brand.
I started by fully updating and optimizing my profile. Then I identified my core content pillars, what I wanted to be known for and what felt authentic to me. I committed to posting two to three times a week, sharing practical marketing tips, personal stories, and relatable career moments. I also made a point to comment consistently and thoughtfully on other people’s content to build visibility and connections.
When I started in July 2024, I had 2,400 followers. Today, I’ve grown that community to over 23,000. Growing my following has brought me new clients, brand partnerships, speaking opportunities across the country, and job opportunities.
But to be clear, I don’t expect everyone to go out and try to become a LinkedIn influencer. (Unless that’s what you want to do!) What I do believe is that an unexpected career change, like a layoff, can be the perfect moment to give your LinkedIn a serious makeover and set yourself up for your next opportunity.
Here’s how you can use this time to revamp your LinkedIn profile, tell your story, and stand out to future employers or clients.
Audit your profile with fresh eyes
Your LinkedIn profile isn’t just a digital résumé. It’s your personal brand headquarters, your landing page, and your first impression. Even if you aren’t looking to become a content creator, a strong profile builds credibility and opens doors.
Start by looking at your profile like a recruiter or potential hiring manager would. Is it clear what you do and what you’re great at? Or does it read like a list of past job titles with no story behind it?
Headline: This isn’t just your current or most recent title. It’s your hook. Use it to highlight what you do best and what you want to be known for, i.e. “Financial services leader turning data into dollars,” or “I help nonprofit organizations increase community impact through organic social media strategies.”
Cover photo: This is prime real estate space you can use to showcase your work, such as awards, recognitions, featured brands you’ve worked with, and more. You can say a lot with the space available right at the top of your profile.
About section: This is where you can truly tell your story and showcase who you are beyond your résumé. Instead of simply listing your skills or turning it into a “word salad” of buzzwords, focus on crafting a clear, compelling narrative that connects with your audience. Share what drives you, what you’re passionate about, and the journey that brought you to where you are today. Highlight your unique value, the problems you love to solve, and what makes you different. Think of it as your personal pitch cover letter and a space to build trust and make people want to learn more, work with you, or support your next move.
Featured section: Use this section to showcase your best work, media mentions, big wins, or thought leadership pieces. If you don’t have those yet, consider adding a link to a personal website, a résumé, or a featured post that highlights your perspective or expertise. Anything that backs up your pitch from your About Me section.
Experience: Go beyond listing responsibilities. Highlight measurable results, key projects, and how you made a difference. This isn’t about bullet points or just listing a job description. Tell the reader what you did there and the results you achieved. Use data, metrics, and concrete examples to showcase your impact.
Showing up on the platform
There are different ways you can show up on LinkedIn, depending on your comfort level and goals. And there’s an untapped opportunity here, according to LinkedIn data, only 1–2% of users post consistently. This means you have a chance to stand out more easily.
If you want to start posting content, you should first decide what you want to talk about, which means defining your content pillars. Think about what you want to be known for, what your audience engages with, and what you can talk about consistently without burning out. For me, my pillars are marketing expertise, personal and career stories, and light, relatable corporate humor. Defining these helped me show up with intention and build trust.
You don’t have to post every day or aim for viral content. Start small:
- Share a lesson you’ve learned recently.
- Talk about a challenge you overcame.
- Offer insights in your area of expertise.
The more you show up, the more you’ll start to feel seen, and the more likely new opportunities will find you.
If you don’t feel comfortable writing content and sharing, that’s absolutely fine. There are other ways you can show up on the platform and engage with the community.
Reposting content from people you follow and ideas you support is a great way to share content without having to create it. Adding your thoughts to the post can be an easy way to add to the conversation.
Commenting is also a simple way to utilize LinkedIn. Commenting is like virtual networking: it helps you get noticed, build relationships, and stay top of mind. Comments often lead to profile views, connection requests, and even opportunities like collaborations or job leads. Aim to leave thoughtful, genuine comments that add value, rather than quick reactions. Support others consistently; it’s one of the simplest but most effective ways to grow your presence and strengthen your network.
A layoff might feel like an ending, but it can be the push you need to finally focus on yourself and your next chapter.
You might not grow your following from 2,400 to 23,000, and you don’t have to. But you can turn this moment into a powerful chance to show the world who you are and what you’re capable of.
