What do you do if you want to maintain professional connections after a layoff using social media?
Being laid off can be a challenging experience, but it's important to remember that your professional network remains a valuable asset during this time. Social media platforms offer a unique opportunity to maintain and even grow your connections post-layoff. By engaging with your network thoughtfully and strategically, you can keep relationships strong and open doors to new opportunities. Whether you're sharing updates, seeking advice, or offering your expertise, social media can be a powerful tool in navigating your career transition.
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Emre ArisoyDigital Director at Concept Istanbul
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Vaani JethvaTop 8 % Social Media Voice | Business Analyst | Author | Yoga and Meditation Teacher | Global Goodwill Ambassador
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Thomas HelfrichSerious About LinkedIn for Business Growth? Let's Chat | Create meaningful conversations, grow a relevant network, and…
When you've been laid off, it's crucial to update your social media profiles immediately. This ensures that your network is aware of your current professional status and that you're open to new opportunities. On LinkedIn, for example, you can adjust your headline to reflect that you're seeking new challenges and make sure your skills and accomplishments are up to date. A polished and professional online presence will make a positive impression on potential employers and connections who may come across your profile during this transition period.
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Emre Arisoy
Digital Director at Concept Istanbul
Even if you're out of work, your social media presence still matters. Take a fresh look at your profiles and highlight your skills and experience. Show that you're actively looking for new opportunities and ready to make connections. It's like a "virtual handshake" to let people know you're still in the game.
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Vishwas Mudagal
CEO, Author, Career Coach | Founder GoodWorks Group (GoodWorkLabs, GoodWorks Cowork, Netskill, GoodWorks Angel Fund)
First impressions matter. Make sure your LinkedIn profile and other professional social media accounts are up-to-date. Reflect your current situation by listing "Open to Work" on LinkedIn and highlighting relevant skills and accomplishments. Consider crafting a concise bio that showcases your expertise and career aspirations.
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Susan Wilson
❤️ Organic Social Media Champion ❤️
While there is "controversy" surrounding the Looking For Work profile banners, it's better to openly promote your status. After all, if a recruiter or company thinks it looks "bad" to clearly communicate your need, they are probably not an ideal company to work for. Additionally, be sure to update your skills, achievements, and measurable success on your profile to ensure you are providing the most up-to-date info and can easily transfer this information to a resume or use the LinkedIn Quick Apply feature effectively.
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Monique N. Morrison, MA, LLB, LEC
Attorney At Law
I find it helpful to maintain your professional profile at all times. Don't wait to suddenly become available to others when you are laid off, be consistent. Post, Like Share and Comment regularly. Then reinvent how you have been presenting yourself. Use design sharing apps to zhuhz up your profile. Delete posts that are not on brand. This is not the time to be "posting about coasting" either. Think about your audience and your authentic professional image which you want to be seen.
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Syed Meesam Ali
Social Media Strategist | Video Editor | Outsourcing specialist
After a layoff, promptly updating your social media profiles is crucial. I believe it's important to signal your openness to new opportunities and maintain a polished online presence. This ensures your network is aware of your situation and leaves a positive impression on potential employers.
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Thomas Helfrich
Serious About LinkedIn for Business Growth? Let's Chat | Create meaningful conversations, grow a relevant network, and enhance your executive presence to grow your business, all without resorting to spam
When you get laid off, updating your social media profiles right away is a smart move. It lets your network know you're looking for new opportunities. Change the LinkedIn headline to reflect a readiness to work on new challenges, and, of course, update skills and achievements. I.e. you may want to update your headline to something like, "Experienced Marketing Professional Looking for New Opportunities." An online presence, when properly maintained, is really pleasing to the eye of a potential employer or connection who may want to check you out. This is just about being proactive and visible during this transition period.
After a layoff, it's tempting to share your feelings online, but it's important to maintain professionalism. Use social media to share insightful articles, comment on industry news, and contribute to discussions with thoughtful input. This demonstrates your ongoing engagement with your field and can lead to meaningful interactions with your professional network. By focusing on adding value to conversations rather than airing grievances, you'll reinforce your reputation as a knowledgeable and positive professional.
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Emre Arisoy
Digital Director at Concept Istanbul
While it can be tough to be laid off, resist the urge to vent on social media. Keep your posts positive and professional. Share your experiences thoughtfully, focusing on your strengths and future goals. Remember, your online presence is a reflection of your professional brand, even when you're looking for work.
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Radu Oncescu
📬 Newsletter specialist @ #SoMeBites. 📰 See my work in 9to5Google, Business Insider, TechCrunch, The Drum. 💡Top 6% Social Media Voice.
Use social media to: — share insights about your field of expertis. — talk about the social media new features and content trends such as CGI Marketing.
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Susan Wilson
❤️ Organic Social Media Champion ❤️
Regardless of your feelings, do not "smack talk" your previous employer. If you'd share negatively about them, then it gives the impression you might do the same with another company. Instead, not only can you focus on sharing relevant articles and industry insights, but don't be afraid to create your own original content. Stay engaged and active online to keep your skills fresh and pop up at the top of more people's feeds.
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Monique N. Morrison, MA, LLB, LEC
Attorney At Law
Share your negative feelings about anything at all offline with your therapist, with your close loved ones and with your friends. They will give you the support you need. Social media is not your therapist. Use social media to highlight wins, (the ones that you can highlight from previous work experience). Be insightful in group discussions. Support others with your likes, shares and comments. Always remember that when you are on social media everything you say or do is open for judgment. Give your followers something to talk about... something good to talk about.
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Vishwas Mudagal
CEO, Author, Career Coach | Founder GoodWorks Group (GoodWorkLabs, GoodWorks Cowork, Netskill, GoodWorks Angel Fund)
While social media is a great place to share updates, be mindful of what you post. Avoid negativity or dwelling on the layoff. Instead, focus on sharing industry news, relevant articles, or insights that demonstrate your continued engagement in your field. Positive and informative content positions you as a thought leader and keeps your profile visible to potential opportunities.
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Thomas Helfrich
Serious About LinkedIn for Business Growth? Let's Chat | Create meaningful conversations, grow a relevant network, and enhance your executive presence to grow your business, all without resorting to spam
While it's so tempting to get online and just rant your way through a recent layoff, it's best to stay professional. Use these sites to highlight interesting articles you find or to weigh in on industry news with comments that enrich the conversation through the addition of insightful content. It will show that you're still engaged in your field. Let's say, if you see a post about an industry trend, share your perspective or your own experience. Indeed, more focus is on giving than airing one's grievances, and it will do you proud by enhancing your reputation to an effect that people find it important to associate with you. It's about taking a tough situation and making something positive happen for yourself and your network.
Social media is not just about broadcasting; it's about building relationships. Reach out to your existing connections with personalized messages, expressing your interest in staying in touch and learning about their recent work. Don't hesitate to join professional groups or follow industry leaders on platforms like LinkedIn to expand your network. Engaging with new people and participating in online discussions can open up new avenues for collaboration and potential job leads.
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Emre Arisoy
Digital Director at Concept Istanbul
Social media isn't just about sharing your story. It's also about building meaningful connections. Connect with people in your field, join industry groups, and join in on conversations. It's about forging relationships that can lead to new opportunities. Think of it as building a strong network of support during a transition.
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Radu Oncescu
📬 Newsletter specialist @ #SoMeBites. 📰 See my work in 9to5Google, Business Insider, TechCrunch, The Drum. 💡Top 6% Social Media Voice.
— Constantly connect with people in your field from both ad agencies and companies. — Join online communities for sharing your insights and help others in need with advices / solutions.
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Monique N. Morrison, MA, LLB, LEC
Attorney At Law
When I meet interesting new people, I always ask about connecting on LinkedIn. That way, I am guaranteed to be connecting with solid professionals. Give advice and help when asked, sometimes this is a private request, if you can, you should make the most meaningful contribution you can. Use your messages to support and congratulate others, everyone appreciates this.
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Vishwas Mudagal
CEO, Author, Career Coach | Founder GoodWorks Group (GoodWorkLabs, GoodWorks Cowork, Netskill, GoodWorks Angel Fund)
Actively engage with your network. Like and comment on posts from former colleagues, industry influencers, and companies you'd like to work for. Join relevant online communities and participate in discussions to showcase your expertise and build new connections. Consider attending virtual industry events or webinars to expand your network further.
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Thomas Helfrich
Serious About LinkedIn for Business Growth? Let's Chat | Create meaningful conversations, grow a relevant network, and enhance your executive presence to grow your business, all without resorting to spam
Social media is not only good for sharing different life updates among people; it is an excellent source of building relationships. Therefore, with your current connections, write a personalized message expressing the intention to stay connected and to learn more about their recent projects. You could write the following as a general note: "Hey, I saw your post about the new project you're working on. Sounds exciting! Let's catch up soon." Join professional groups and follow industry leaders on LinkedIn. Interact with the new members and be active in the group discussions; this will help you get new opportunities and job leads. It's all about connecting and collaborating in meaningful ways.
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Vaani Jethva
Top 8 % Social Media Voice | Business Analyst | Author | Yoga and Meditation Teacher | Global Goodwill Ambassador
1. Targeted Connections: Focus on connecting with hiring managers, recruiters, and others in your desired field. 2. Engage Strategically: Like and comment on industry content posted by potential employers and influencers. 3. Showcase Value: Share your expertise by creating original content or participating in relevant discussions. 4. Informative Updates: Use job postings or industry news to subtly announce your availability. 5. Be Authentic & Approachable: Maintain a professional yet approachable demeanor on social media.
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Syed Meesam Ali
Social Media Strategist | Video Editor | Outsourcing specialist
In my opinion, social media is more than just broadcasting—it's about cultivating relationships. Reach out to connections with personalized messages, express interest in their work, and join professional groups to expand your network. Engaging with new people can lead to collaboration and job opportunities.
Even in the midst of a layoff, you have valuable skills and experiences that can benefit others. Offering help or advice on social media can strengthen your connections and demonstrate your expertise. Whether it's providing feedback on a project or sharing resources, your willingness to support others won't go unnoticed. It's often through giving that you receive, and this approach can lead to reciprocal acts of assistance when you need it most.
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Radu Oncescu
📬 Newsletter specialist @ #SoMeBites. 📰 See my work in 9to5Google, Business Insider, TechCrunch, The Drum. 💡Top 6% Social Media Voice.
Offering help to others can can lead to reciprocal acts of assistance: — offer solutions and resources for your fellow colleagues. — share your own views on a certain topic.
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Vaani Jethva
Top 8 % Social Media Voice | Business Analyst | Author | Yoga and Meditation Teacher | Global Goodwill Ambassador
1. Offer industry insights: Share valuable articles, news, or analyses to showcase expertise and establish yourself as a resource. 2. Answer questions: Engage in discussions and offer helpful advice to colleagues and connections. 3. Connect people: If you see someone seeking help you can connect them with someone in your network who might be able to assist. 4. Share job openings: If you come across relevant job postings, share them with your network, positioning yourself as a supportive colleague.
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Vishwas Mudagal
CEO, Author, Career Coach | Founder GoodWorks Group (GoodWorkLabs, GoodWorks Cowork, Netskill, GoodWorks Angel Fund)
The best way to build strong connections is by offering value to others. See a former colleague struggling with a project? Offer a helpful suggestion or share a relevant resource. This demonstrates your continued expertise and willingness to support others.
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Thomas Helfrich
Serious About LinkedIn for Business Growth? Let's Chat | Create meaningful conversations, grow a relevant network, and enhance your executive presence to grow your business, all without resorting to spam
Even if you're laid off, you've got a lot of skills and experiences that others would benefit from. Help others or share your knowledge on a platform like social media. Whether you are giving feedback on a project or sharing useful resources, your willingness to help others will stand out. You might post some resume tips on your LinkedIn status, or maybe you offer to review someone's resume. And remember, more than often, the people you helped are those who helped you back when you most needed this help. It's through giving you more time to receive, creating a network of reciprocal assistance.
Your attitude on social media after a layoff can significantly impact your professional image. Keep your posts and interactions positive, focusing on the future and the opportunities ahead. Celebrate the achievements of others in your network and share content that reflects optimism and resilience. A positive online demeanor can attract the right kind of attention from potential employers and collaborators who value a forward-thinking mindset.
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Vaani Jethva
Top 8 % Social Media Voice | Business Analyst | Author | Yoga and Meditation Teacher | Global Goodwill Ambassador
1. Positive Posts: Share uplifting content, career advice, or success stories (not your own job search struggles). 2. Celebrate Others' Achievements: Like, comment, and celebrate the wins of former colleagues and connections. 3. Focus on Growth: Highlight new skills you're learning or certifications you're pursuing. 4. Maintain Optimism: Express a positive and proactive attitude about your job search. 5. Limit Negativity: Avoid venting or complaining about the layoff on social media.
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Lourine Onyango
LinkedIn Manager | Strategist | VA for solopreneurs & Small Business Owners. Saving you 40 Hours a month with Admin support, boost your online presence & Increase productivity.
Positive mindset is what we need to keep us going. It’s not the end of the road when you are laid off. When this doors closes, definitely there one will open soon.. Remember positive mindset create room for more opportunities. Choose positivity everyday.
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Vishwas Mudagal
CEO, Author, Career Coach | Founder GoodWorks Group (GoodWorkLabs, GoodWorks Cowork, Netskill, GoodWorks Angel Fund)
Maintain a positive and proactive online presence. Share inspirational quotes, highlight your progress in learning new skills, or express gratitude for your current network. Projecting a positive attitude makes you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
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Syed Meesam Ali
Social Media Strategist | Video Editor | Outsourcing specialist
Maintain positivity in your posts, emphasizing future opportunities. Celebrate others' achievements and share optimistic content to showcase resilience. This approach can draw attention from potential employers and collaborators who appreciate a forward-thinking approach.
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Monique N. Morrison, MA, LLB, LEC
Attorney At Law
This is a big one! Post things that uplift and inspire. Share the best content you can about your positive view of work and your experiences. Start an interesting industry conversation and join in on interesting conversations. Like, Post and Share what others post, they will appreciate it. And, of course, comment with thoughtfulness and a genuine supportive nature. Put your best foot forward!
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Thomas Helfrich
Serious About LinkedIn for Business Growth? Let's Chat | Create meaningful conversations, grow a relevant network, and enhance your executive presence to grow your business, all without resorting to spam
How one conducts oneself on social media post layoff may have huge potential in shaping the professional image. Frame all posts and actions in positivity by focusing on what the future holds and opportunities out there. Identify or celebrate the achievements of contacts, sharing information that clearly speaks of optimism and resourcefulness. This, in fact, could attract the right kind of attention to you from employers and potential collaborators who would be lured by such an attitude. Tip: Share on a continuous basis feature articles or insights into activities at work to demonstrate keeping abreast and informed. It brings out that you are constantly committed to your field, whatever kind of setback you might have in your career.
Maintaining a consistent presence on social media is key to keeping your professional connections alive. Regularly update your status with relevant content, comment on posts from your network, and participate in industry-related events and webinars. Staying active keeps you visible and top-of-mind among your connections, which is crucial when opportunities arise. A consistent engagement strategy ensures that you're not only maintaining relationships but also continually fostering new ones.
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Thomas Helfrich
Serious About LinkedIn for Business Growth? Let's Chat | Create meaningful conversations, grow a relevant network, and enhance your executive presence to grow your business, all without resorting to spam
Consistent use of social media maintains professional relationships. Update your status consistently and discuss posts professionals within your network make. Go to as many industry-related events and webinars as possible. This means that you are visible to your connections when the opportunity appears; they remember you. A consistent engagement strategy ensures that one constantly maintains relationships and, at the same time, nurtures new ones. Here's a tip: Create a weekly schedule of the activities you undertake on social media to be organized, and you know you're engaging continuously without being swamped by the activity.
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Radu Oncescu
📬 Newsletter specialist @ #SoMeBites. 📰 See my work in 9to5Google, Business Insider, TechCrunch, The Drum. 💡Top 6% Social Media Voice.
Develop a content calendar that would allow you stay a) relevant and b) always ahead of the curve: — participate to industry-related events. — share the latest news on social media. — research on subjects that could spark the interest of your audience. — connect and engage strategically.
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Susan Wilson
❤️ Organic Social Media Champion ❤️
LinkedIn's scheduling tool is a perfect way to spread out your ideas for posts without having to manually keep up on posting. Some days you might have a lot of ideas and some days might be full of writer's block. By scheduling your content or posts out, you can keep things more consistent with less effort. That being said, be sure to check comments and notifications daily or more often to show that you're also an active participant and to foster the most engagement you can by replying or reacting in a timely manner.
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Susan Wilson
❤️ Organic Social Media Champion ❤️
When it's appropriate, tag others in your content. LinkedIn will show posts with a header ("X person was tagged in a post") and some of their followers will see that post without being a direct connection to you. Use this feature respectfully and effectively. Do not spam-tag people or include them when it's unrelated to the content. Instead, keep it to instances where you're sharing their content, quoting them, etc. This is a powerful option to expand your reach, and so it requires and equally responsible touch.
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Tasneem Yousef
Brand Manager | Social Media Marketing Strategist | Content Creator
Social media is a great way to stay active and engage with your network during layoffs. It helps you to convey that you're still engaged in the industry and open to new opportunities. Share industry insights, participate in discussions, and congratulate former colleagues on their achievements. This will help you stay top-of-mind and potentially open doors to future collaborations or job opportunities.
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