Pride will leave you broke. That’s the line I keep repeating to friends who are too scared or too proud to show up online.
Everyone’s waiting until it’s too late. Redundancy hits. Panic sets in. And suddenly, people are logging into LinkedIn for the first time in years, asking for help wondering why no one is responding. But here’s the thing: you can’t ask the people online to remember you if you’ve never let them see you in the first place.
The job market is cooked. We’re watching mass layoffs and a race to the bottom with salaries. Graduates are being ghosted. Mid-level professionals are being offered entry-level pay. And senior leaders? They’re getting pushed out without warning. The safety net is gone.
Here’s what will keep you visible and valuable when the market moves against you.
1. Build your digital presence before you need it
If I Google your name today what comes up? Nothing? Or worse outdated selfies and a dead Twitter account? That’s not going to cut it. You need content that reflects who you are what you stand for and why someone should bet on you. Start with your LinkedIn. Build from there. Get a site. Own your name. Make it impossible to ignore you.
2. Start creating even if no one’s watching
People say, “But I’m not a content creator.” Cool. But are you trying to be employed or invisible? Creating content isn’t about becoming famous. It’s about building evidence. It’s about showing proof of work. And no you don’t need to go viral. You need to be searchable.
3. Your network will save you but only if it exists
You can’t tap into a network you’ve ignored for years. Start scheduling virtual coffees. Follow up. Stay top of mind. Connections aren’t transactional. They’re relational. Build them now.
4. Tell your story or someone else will
If your profile is just a list of jobs you’ve already lost. People buy into people. Not bullet points. Learn to articulate what makes you different. Say it in a way that’s clear confident and specific. Your story is your strategy.
5. For senior professionals, your silence is costing you
You’ve got the experience. You’ve got the track record. But if no one knows what you think you’re not seen as a leader. Start showing up. Write about what you know. Comment. Engage. Be visible. Don’t let decades of experience disappear because you didn’t document it.
Moving Forward
Job searches aren’t just about CVs anymore. They’re about visibility credibility and positioning. Whether you’re at the start of your career or two decades in the same rule applies: show up before you’re forced to. The market isn’t fair but it does reward those who are easy to find and hard to ignore.
See you next week!
