How To Use LinkedIn To Find a Job After a Layoff

LinkedIn is the ideal platform for both active and passive job seekers to progress in their professional careers, through meaningful connections, job search tools and personal branding. After a layoff, you should update your LinkedIn profile in the same way you’d update your resume. Overall, LinkedIn is a great place to build professional relationships, where you can gain insight from others working in similar roles at your ideal company, and learn about open job opportunities.

By Mariah Flores

The U.S. employment situation is turbulent, with high-profile layoffs being announced at major companies like Amazon, Meta, Twitter, CNN and Doordash in recent weeks. Unfortunately, there seems to be no signs of layoffs slowing down as 2022 comes to an end — harkening back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have been impacted by layoffs, it can be hard to see through your emotions and focus on what to do next.?

“A loss of employment can trigger our internal fight-or-flight reflex. You’re likely going to want to start applying to every job post you see, but fight that urge,” suggests Andrew Seaman for Get Ahead by LinkedIn News. “Instead, take at least 24 hours to ask yourself some important questions about your situation and career path.”

After giving space to your emotions (negative or positive), you may decide it’s time to find another job.?

Where can you turn? LinkedIn. I spoke with two career coaches about how to use LinkedIn to your advantage and find new employment opportunities after a layoff.

The Place (or Platform) To Be

“LinkedIn is the place to be,” proclaims Stacy Valancy MBA, CPRW, a career coach and resume writer.?

“Recruiters are using the site to find active and non-active jobseekers, and jobseekers are using the site to find potential new opportunities. It is a great way to build connections, discover jobs, get insight on companies, and build an authentic online brand.”

You can easily search, discover and connect with other professionals at every career level across the globe, some of whom may work in the same industry as you or a sector you hope to pivot towards.?

In addition to being a wonderful place for building connections, career coach Matt Warzel sees LinkedIn as a place to learn new topics of interest and gain perspective into career trends.?

For some members, the platform is all about sharing … sharing insights, stories and job opportunities.?

“I love being able to also post and attract new people into my circle that I can network with and communicate value offerings that help each of us grow personally and professionally.”

If you’re reading this, but haven't created a LinkedIn profile yet or aren’t active, here are a few more reasons to bolster your professional online presence (per The Balance):?

• It’s free (upgrading to LinkedIn Premium can boost your overall job search and development)?
• Recruiters and hiring managers often look at a candidate’s profile
• Someone in your network or a mutual connection may post about lesser known job openings
• You can build up a standout personal brand, gaining endorsements and recommendations
• You can research companies before applying and also see who else works there

“LinkedIn can be used in a variety of ways for someone that experiences a layoff. That individual can use the site to share their employment status publicly, find new jobs, and connect with potential new employers,” says Valancy.?

“Also, that individual can create posts to share their personal and professional story, which helps to build their online brand and might result in a potential new employer finding them.”

Updating Your Profile Is a Must

To really reap the benefits of LinkedIn that both Valancy and Warzel note, you need to actively keep your profile up to date with new skills, featured content, professional accomplishments, online courses, degrees and even layoff announcements.

Think of your profile as a summary of your professional journey; your story.?

“You have a story. Whether you're just starting out in your career, taking it to the next level, or simply pivoting to something new, your LinkedIn profile can help you bring your story to life,” states Lauren Jolda in her popular LinkedIn Learning course, “Rock Your LinkedIn Profile.”

Forbes provides eight steps a person should do with their LinkedIn profile after being laid off:?

1. Update your headline
2. Update your contact information?
3. Put an end date on your current job
4. Change your summary
5. Add a current new position (for side hustles or gigs)
6. Add volunteer experiences
7. Ask for recommendations and endorsements

After a layoff, set aside some time to think about the experiences, skills and even bio that best describe your journey thus far and what you bring to the table — what sets you apart from other job seekers out there. Also, don’t forget to let recruiters know that you’re #OpenToWork and ready for new job opportunities.

Some recruiters and hiring teams use LinkedIn to source potential candidates. Applying on an external site? You may still be asked to provide a link to your profile. Either way, it’s imperative that your profile is optimized, accurate and a great representation of your professional background.

“Fill in your profile, auto-populate all your content so you can show up in LinkedIn Recruiter searches, and stay active. [R]ecruiters love using LinkedIn to source and/or vet potential candidates,” Warzel advises.?

You never know who’ll discover your profile and reach out, so prepare just in case.

Connections Can Lead to Opportunities

Ultimately, LinkedIn is a platform built for facilitating meaningful professional connections.?

If you’ve just been laid off, after taking the time to grieve, update your resume. Now is the time to lean on your professional network — building more connections as needed. I know that networking may not be top priority, but consider being more open to accepting connection requests and sending requests to those you want to connect with.?

“Accept all connections! Of course, you should check people out to make sure they’re real (and not bots or spam), but being open to connecting is key,” states Valancy, who also recommends using LinkedIn to connect with people at organizations or companies that you’re interested in, beyond the hiring team. “[S]omeone on the team that you’re looking into might be a great resource for an initial conversation. That person might even be willing to give you a direct referral into the company.”

Even if that person’s unable to refer you to the company, informational interviews provide firsthand insight into the organization’s culture, work environment and workforce.?

Like with any other relationship, professional connections require some level of consistency to be successful. “Network and reach out to like-minded people or decision-makers and build a connection. Then schedule a time to continuously stay on top of this relationship cultivation” says Warzel.

Layoffs are never easy, but know that you’re not alone. This brief setback in your career may be the ideal time to focus on your career development or pivot into a new role.?

Check out Hello Monday’s guide to surviving a layoff, featuring more community insights and advice.

Top Takeaways?

LinkedIn is a great place to build connections and find new professional opportunities after a layoff.?

• LinkedIn is a place where you can connect with other professionals, recruiters, hiring managers and fellow job seekers.
• In order to get the most out of LinkedIn after a layoff, make sure you keep your profile updated, including any layoff announcements, recommendations and position end dates.
• Never discount the benefit a connection on LinkedIn, especially with others working in your desired industry, role or company.?