By Katrina Simyab
The new year frequently work or even contemplating a career change. Some industries are experiencing massive shifts, due to artificial intelligence or changes in funding, which can lead to layoffs or role realignments. Evolving family finances, the loss of employer- sponsored benefits and unexpected life events can also prompt a career pivot or a return to the workforce.
As the world’s largest professional network with more than 1 billion members, LinkedIn is often the first stop for exploring new opportunities.
But what’s the best way to frame a gap in employment or position yourself to change industries?
Chantel Soumis, co-host of LinkedIn Local Madison and co-founder of the LinkedIn Local Chicago and Milwaukee chapters, knows firsthand what it’s like to feel the pressure of a crucial employment hunt.
“My job search didn’t begin with ambition. It began with fear,” says Soumis. “It began in a doctor’s office when I was told I had multiple sclerosis at only 25 [years old], and life as I knew it split into ‘before’ and ‘after.’”
“I applied to job after job,” she continues, “and every time I reached the question asking if I had a disability, I hesitated … but I was honest. And silence always followed.”
Despite the disappointment, Soumis persisted, and decided to pump up her LinkedIn presence by building more connections and peppering her profile with expert posts.
“My network grew from 500 local contacts to a global community of over 84,000 [people] who chose connection over [my health] stigma,” Soumis recounts. “Within two weeks, after years of silence, I had two job offers from recruiters who felt like they already knew me because of my posts.”
Jen Emmons, a LinkedIn “top voice” and founder and CEO of Jen Emmons Coaching & Consulting, echoes Soumis’s experience.
“When someone is pivoting careers or returning after time away, the most important first step is to confidently claim their story. Every season of your life has shaped you, and the more you own those chapters, the more clearly others can see your value,” Emmons explains.
So, what does this look like in practice? Emmons offers a few key tips on what to prioritize and what to avoid when preparing your LinkedIn profile for a pivot.
- Add a one- or two-sentence positioning statement at the top of your About section on your LinkedIn profile. This answers, “Here is who I am today, here is where I’m going and here is the value I create,” explains Emmons.
- When it comes to addressing a career gap, “be honest, brief and confident. A simple entry such as ‘family caregiving,’ ‘parental leave’ or ‘personal health recovery’ honors the truth while giving recruiters helpful clarity,” says Emmons.
- And similarly with an industry change, “Name the value your unique background brings because you are coming from a different space. Language like ‘bringing fresh perspective,’ ‘applying cross-industry experience’ or ‘translating strengths from X into Y’ positions your difference as an asset, not a gap,” she says.
- Finally, it’s important to update your profile to match the career path you want to pursue. “Using old terminology, keeping an outdated headline or listing skills unrelated to the work you want next suggests hesitation or lack of readiness,” says Emmons. “Employers want to see that you are all-in on your next chapter.”
