The slog. When you’re mid- or late-career and not getting traction in your job search, it can feel like a dead end. Chances are, though, you haven’t considered some avenues, especially tech platforms above and beyond LinkedIn. In experimenting with new ways to network, you’ll demonstrate your relevance—perhaps even to a new set of eyes. Bonus: That’s usually a confidence-booster, too.
When Sheila Callaham, Age Equity Alliance’s executive director, interviewed Illume Hire’s co-founder, Emily Clay, in this video, Clay offered advice for the discouraged job seeker. She asked a series of questions, and I think her suggestions are spot-on.
Do you have a landing page?
Think of a landing page as a stage where you can showcase your personal brand. What to include? It depends on your skills and interests. You could write blog posts. You could share articles or videos you like. You could promote your social media posts or those of others. Sure you can write, share, and post on LinkedIn. But having your own page sets you apart, and shows you’re not afraid of technology. Creating a landing page can be simpler than you think. Start here for resources. For example, you can set up an inexpensive page on Wix in less than an hour, including a custom domain (e.g. yourname.com). You’ll get practice building on the web and show off what you have to offer in the process.
Are you on Reddit?
Reddit is a treasure-trove of information because it’s built around specific interests called subreddits. The most active subreddits are a vibrant mix of news and discussion. Most importantly, you can find subreddits specifically on your industry or area of expertise. For example, the /startups subreddit is very lively and can be informative. A full list of subreddits is here. Once you’ve joined, connect with others. Answer questions. Share your thought leadership. Reddit is a super-active place to connect.
Are you on Clubhouse?
Clubhouse, an audio-only social platform, has garnered a lot of attention and buzz in the last months. Think of Clubhouse as a conference venue—there are lots of rooms, where lots of different types of conversations are happening. In a real-life ballroom, there may be a panel of five talking on a topic with 500 in the audience. Down the hall in a breakout room, two people may be having a casual conversation with a handful listening around them. That’s Clubhouse and its rooms, but it’s all on your phone.
When you join, check out career and pitch rooms (e.g. the Careers in Tech and Data Science club), host a room to talk about your area of expertise, or just explore. In the Clubhouse world, even experts and luminaries are very approachable and help others. Two major downsides to Clubhouse right now: First, the app is still in beta so you need an invite to join. (I have a few, so shoot me an email with your cell number to nancy@startupdecoder.com, and I may be able to provide one.) Secondly, it’s only for iPhone users.
What else can you do?
Experiment in ways that particularly interest you. Do you like making videos? Go live on LinkedIn, commenting on industry news. Do you like new technology? Experiment with no-code tools and build something, then share how you did it on social media. Do you like to write? Start a newsletter on Substack or begin a writing challenge on Medium (30 posts in 30 days). The idea is to push yourself a little and to become present in venues new to you, broadening your exposure. You’ll have learned something and demonstrated your relevance to a new audience. That’s a win/win.