In a recent webinar hosted by Back To Work Connect, career change coach and mentor Anna Cieslowska, explored how to strengthen participants professional presence when re-entering the workforce or pursuing a new career direction. Anna’s message was clear: how you show up online—and in interviews—shapes how employers see your potential.
Recruiters often make decisions within seconds, so every element of your professional profile matters. Anna encouraged attendees to approach job searching with confidence, curiosity, and a growth mindset—reframing self-doubt and focusing instead on the value they bring. Small, consistent actions, such as updating LinkedIn profiles or refining CVs, can make a big difference over time.
CV and LinkedIn: Building a Cohesive Professional Story
Anna walked participants through common pitfalls in CVs—from inconsistent tenses and buzzwords to missing measurable achievements. Her advice: tailor each CV to the job description and showcase impact rather than just responsibilities.
She also shared strategies for strengthening LinkedIn profiles, noting that your headline, summary, and photo are often the first things employers see. A clear headline that states your target role and key strengths helps position you as confident and capable.
When it comes to structure, Anna recommended keeping CVs concise (two pages max), using consistent formatting, and quantifying results wherever possible.
Making LinkedIn Work for You
LinkedIn, Anna explained, isn’t just a digital CV—it’s a window into your professional personality.
Use a clean profile photo and a simple banner image that reflects your field.
In your “About Me” section, include your years of experience, relevant skills, and a short call to action.
Avoid listing “career breaks.” Instead, reframe those periods as professional development, career exploration, or community engagement.
She also encouraged attendees to highlight upskilling, volunteering, and achievements, as these demonstrate initiative and adaptability—qualities employers notice.
Clarify Your Career Direction Before Positioning Yourself
Anna stressed that before fine-tuning a CV or LinkedIn profile, professionals should take time to clarify their direction. Knowing the two or three roles or industries you want to pursue helps ensure every piece of your job search—from CV language to networking—supports that goal.
She also touched on references, advising that when formal employer references aren’t available, candidates can turn to former colleagues, supervisors, or volunteer contacts for credible recommendations.
Smarter Job Searching and Interview Preparation
Anna encouraged participants to approach job searching with intentionality rather than reactivity—focusing on targeted opportunities instead of chasing every posting. Volunteering, networking, and consistent LinkedIn engagement can all increase visibility and build professional confidence.
For interviews, she recommended using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and focusing particularly on the “Action”—how and why you did something. Preparation should include researching the company, reviewing the job description, and practicing concise, impact-driven answers.
Addressing Career Gaps with Confidence
Career breaks are common, Anna reminded attendees, and can be handled with honesty and composure. Candidates are under no obligation to disclose personal details—“personal reasons” is enough. The key is to pivot the conversation toward readiness and enthusiasm for the future.
She also reframed redundancy and long career pauses as opportunities for reflection and redirection, not setbacks. Confidence and clarity about what comes next make the difference.
Making LinkedIn Your Job Search Partner
Anna shared practical tips for managing LinkedIn more effectively:
- Be intentional—limit your focus to 2–3 target roles.
- Adjust your notification settings to filter irrelevant posts.
- Take advantage of LinkedIn Premium’s free one-month trial for added insights into job matches.
Networking remains one of the strongest tools for uncovering opportunities—engaging with posts, connecting with peers, and sharing your own insights can quietly boost your visibility and credibility.
Final Thoughts
Anna closed the session by reminding participants that professional presence is built, not born. Every small improvement—whether it’s updating a headline, rewriting a summary, or reframing self-doubt—compounds over time.
Takeaway:
Building professional presence is less about perfection and more about consistency, clarity, and authenticity. When you show up confidently—online and in person—employers see not just your experience, but your potential.
For more information and supports, contact our community care team at communitycare@backtoworkconnect.ie
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