Over the years, I have encouraged readers to share their job search frustrations. One of the worst things you can do is to end up feeling isolated and alone. Unfortunately, many have gone a little too far in the opposite direction. Every day, there are many cringe worthy social media posts online.

Recently, I saw a LinkedIn post by a job seeker who was declaring that she was giving up. She had enough with applying for jobs and with getting rejected. And, she would be back to applying in a few months, after she had time to recharge.

There are also countless posts from job seekers who were recently laid off. They are often angry, and are asking for assistance with their job search – in the same post. They cannot believe the way their former employer treated them this way.

On each post, there are many comments of support. Friends and colleagues applaud their prior work. And, they encourage the job seeker to keep going. They may also share the post, with comments about what a talented coworker the original poster is.

This is all very kind. And, it is hard to look for a job. It’s emotionally draining. But, LinkedIn is not group therapy. I know this opinion may be unpopular. But, this is the reality.

Almost always, when you are interviewing for a job, the company you are interviewing with will look at your profile on LinkedIn. Is this the first impression you want to give them?

Let’s think of it in another context: online dating. In a dating app, the profile is very short. The single person only has space to include a few sentences about who they are. Have you ever seen a profile that immediately mentions an ex-husband or ex-wife? If so, what do you do? Most people swipe left and choose not to match with that person. They are clearly still grieving their former relationship.

In the same way, posting your sadness on LinkedIn shows a future employer that you are not over your last experience. You may not be ready to focus. You may also not have great personal judgement, as you are sharing private information in a public way.

While we are on this topic, here is another unpopular observation. I have almost never known anyone to get a job by putting the “open to work” banner on their profile photo. If you still have a job, it encourages your current employer to off board you. If you are looking for a job, you simply look like a house that has been sitting on the real estate market too long.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s important to get support. Reach out to friends and family. Reach out to your faith community. Reach out to your therapist. But, do not use LinkedIn or Facebook to air your professional grievances. It will not solve your problems, and may only prolong your pain.

I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach

There’s a theme that surprises me every time I see it. When a person changes jobs, their old manager often decides to excommunicate them. Given how common it is to have more than one career, this adds up to a lot of professional hate. But, why are we treating job changes as a breakup?

Earlier in my career, an employee came to me. This person presented a case to give them a promotion and a raise. And, they weren’t wrong. They were doing a great job. They deserved more money. Unfortunately, giving a raise isn’t always possible. I was honest with the person that a raise wasn’t in the cards right now. I shared that if they need to make more, I would support them in a job search. I would be a reference. And, I committed to not holding a grudge. Although the person was disappointed, they were also relieved. They were allowed to pursue their own needs without the fear of rejection or retaliation.

When employees seek new employment, it can be because they hate their manager. But, there are a number of other reasons someone may also want to leave a job. I once left a job to go back to graduate school. I once left a job because a promotion became available at another company, and there was no opportunity to grow at my old company. I once left a job when the company decided to transition from a for-profit to a non-profit.

There are many reasons people leave that have nothing to do with their manager. But, somehow, many managers take it as an insult when an employee leaves. I’ve observed managers share terrible, sometimes untrue, stories about once beloved employees. I’ve seen managers try to stop an employee who has left from getting another job. When their feelings are hurt, it seems some managers will stop at nothing to get revenge.

It’s really unfortunate. In this thing called life, you never know who may be the more senior person later. Or, you never know when you may end up working together again. Or, you never know when you might need a reference from that person.

I know that it hurts when someone leaves. You depended on them, and they’re leaving a gap. You have to tell your boss that someone quit. You have to help do their work until you find someone new, if you are able to backfill their role. I get it. It feels bad. But, it’s not always personal.

If you are the manager, be the bigger person. Congratulate them. Take them to lunch to celebrate. Say the same kind words after they have left that you would have shared prior to them leaving. Starting a new chapter in their life doesn’t negate all of the great work they have done for you in the past. And, who knows, you may want to work together again in the future.

I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.

Happy hunting!

Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach