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LinkedIn is Not Optional

  • Writer: Renata Bernarde
    Renata Bernarde
  • 1 hour ago
  • 30 min read

Episode 286 - If You're Not Showing Up on LinkedIn, You’re Invisible: How Job Hunting Has Changed for Professionals Over 40




Experienced corporate professionals over 40 face a paradox: they bring extensive expertise, leadership, and resilience, yet they often confront hiring biases. If you’re over 40 and navigating a career change, know this: You don’t need to reinvent yourself. You just need to reposition. You’ve built a career. Let’s make sure it continues to serve you. 


Here’s what I want you to remember: 

  • Your age and experience are assets. 

  • A strong resume and LinkedIn profile work together. 

  • Telling the right story matters more than sounding impressive. 

  • A focused, intentional search beats mass applications. 

  • Reconnection is more powerful than cold outreach. 


This episode (286) is part 2 of my discussion on how to use age as your advantage to help mid-to-senior level professionals navigate career transitions confidently and effectively. The first part is episode 284, in which I analyze the current job market and discuss how to leverage it rather than see it as a barrier to entry.  


In this episode, I shift focus to personal branding and career positioning, covering resumes, LinkedIn, and storytelling. I also provide real-life client examples, practical advice, and a mindset-first approach to provide you with strategies to remain competitive and in demand. 


Mindset Shift: Reframing Age as an Asset 


One of the most important steps for professionals over 40 is to embrace their experience as a strategic advantage rather than a liability. Renata urges listeners to reject internalized ageism and instead position themselves as calm, reliable, and insightful leaders. Think of yourself as not just a candidate but as a strategic advisor. I share the example of a client who started working with me in his late 60s. His success highlights that experience, when framed correctly, is still highly valuable in today’s uncertain environment. Here is the key takeaway: Your value lies in your pattern recognition, leadership stability, and ability to manage change. Highlight these qualities with confidence. 


Resume Strategy: Make Your Experience Work for You 


Many professionals unintentionally sabotage their job search by submitting resumes that are outdated, overly long, or not tailored. I coach my clients on building resumes that are both ATS-friendly and compelling for human readers. 


Here are my key guidelines: 

  • Length: Stick to 2 pages (US) or 3 pages (Australia), and make every word count. 

  • Content Focus: Emphasize the last 10 to 15 years. Prioritize achievements over responsibilities. 

  • Executive Summary: Don’t waste this prime real estate. Use it to highlight your value and relevant keywords. 

  • Tailoring: Adapt your resume to each job ad without reinventing the wheel every time. 


Here is a client example: A client in her late 40s wanted to pivot from large corporates to smaller, purpose-driven organizations. Her original resume was too focused on matrix structures and internal lingo. We reframed her narrative, and she secured a new role in a smaller, mission-focused business. In fact, hiring managers praised the clarity and alignment of her new resume. 


LinkedIn Optimization: A Must-Have, Not an Option 


LinkedIn is not optional if you’re a white-collar professional. Recruiters use it as a search engine. Your profile has to work for you even when you're not actively applying. LinkedIn is your living professional brand. I often tweak clients’ profiles over time as we test what works. 


Here are some LinkedIn best practices: 

  • Headline: Use forward-looking, keyword-rich phrases. Example: "Senior Commercial Leader Driving Growth | FMCG & Retail | Board Advisor." 

  • About Section: Write in the first person. Show who you are and where you’re going. 

  • Keywords: Sprinkle them in your headline, about section, and job titles. 

  • Engagement: Be active. Comment thoughtfully, post occasionally, and validate your expertise. 


Storytelling: From Hero to Guide 


Storytelling trips up even the most accomplished professionals. Many either downplay their value or focus too much on themselves. I teach a powerful shift: Don’t be the hero; be the guide. The organization is the hero, and your role is to support its success. 


Here is an example: "When our company was hit with supply chain issues, I led a cross-functional task force that redesigned our procurement process. We reduced delays by 30% and saved over $1 million." That kind of framing shows you're strategic, solution-oriented, and team-focused. 


If job loss has left you emotionally drained, storytelling can be tough. This is where working with a coach or mentor, or at least practicing aloud with a peer, can make a big difference. 


Strategic Job Search: Less Is More 


I see too many professionals treat job searching like a numbers game. But volume isn't the answer. It leads to burnout, inconsistencies, and worse: getting ghosted. 


My Three Pillars of a Smarter Job Search: 

  1. Clarity: Know your value and the target roles that align with it. This is not a quick step for most. When I’m working with clients for 3 or 6 months, we may stay from 2 to 6 weeks developing clear goals and translating them into crips pitches, resumes and LinkedIn profile and activity. This often overlooked step is, in fact, the secret to my coaching success and my clients’ quick conversion to jobs they want.  

  2. Strategy: Apply intentionally. Evaluate ads carefully. Don’t waste time on long-shot roles. When working with clients, we work closely on the roles they apply for, reviewing each opportunity and applying to the ones aligned with their clear goals. We also make a lot of continuous improvements after each application based on the results we achieve, identifying the patterns of success and reinforcing them in future applications. 

  3. Action: Consistent, small steps matter more than frantic job board sprints. Use a tracker to schedule time for networking, profile updates, and reflection. Applying for jobs is a holistic process. If you just sit at your chair and send out job applications, your chance of conversion is less than if you spread your activities between applying, networking, and learning. If you’re at the senior level, it’s especially important to be selective. Your reputation is built on what you say yes to and what you don’t. 


Networking Without the Cringe Factor 


Most of us already have a network; we just need to reconnect. I coach my clients to start simply and focus on genuine connection. 


Here’s a Message You Can Use: "Hi [Name], I was just thinking about our time at [Company] and wanted to reconnect. Would love to catch up soon." That’s it. No pitch. No pressure. 


And if you’re introverted? That’s okay. Skip the big events. Have one-on-one coffees or write thoughtful messages. Play to your strengths. Always. 


Future Outlook: Preparing for Part Three 


At a future episode, I’ll cover the hidden job market: how it’s changed and how you can tap into it. I’m also creating a downloadable checklist summarizing parts one, two, and three of this series. It’s designed to help you stay focused and confident during your job search. So please keep listening, subscribe to The Job Hunting Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. This way you won’t miss out! 



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