is it possible to 'relaunch' your LinkedIn page?

Question

I changed careers a few years ago. Let's say I made a change that would be like moving from accounting to graphic design, or from corporate law to preschool education, two completely different fields.  At this point, many of my contacts are still in my old field and would probably have no interest in anything I post, and I haven't even been in touch with any of them in 10 years. I would rather build up a network relevant to my current career and posting content relevant to that group. Does that make sense?  Has anyone just deleted their page and started fresh? Is that advisable? Is there really any point in maintaining a network that's no longer valid? I also do not want to appear scatterbrained by posting say, my artwork for view by people not interested in it.

Lesa Edwards · Answer

As a LI expert who writes profiles for my clients and teaches them how to use LI, I don't recommend relaunching your profile. If the 'old' connections aren't interested in your new posts, they can ignore them or disconnect with you. However, it's important to remember that those people don't live in a vacuum - they have family, friends, and colleagues who may be very interested in your art.

Marie · Answer

I've read that loose connections are often a good source of job leads - i.e. someone that you haven't spoken to in a while or a friend of friend knows about an open position.  So it's worth holding on to those old contacts.

https://www.inc.com/david-burkus/how-to-network-by-reconnecting-to-old-friends.html

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you all for the question and the posts!  As someone getting ready to do the same, I got some great tips on what steps to take.

Anonymous · Answer

Definitely keep your contacts, but by updating your LinkedIn I think you’ll be able to help grow a new network in the new industry you are interested in. I’m looking to make a career change and by changing the phrasing of my LinkedIn and also proactively searching for webinars, researching companies and people, etc I have started to grow my network in the industry I would like to pivot to which has exposed me to so much more! Best of luck!

Roz Bolton · Answer

Opening new doors to life. You go girl. Start fresh.
Sparkle & Shine
Roz x

Chelsea · Answer

As a career coach, I would absolutely echo @KeelynSebeny in terms of making your rebrand a true 'launch'. This is your opportunity to start building your brand and becoming an active member of your industry on LI. Your former colleagues will be happy to read about your new endeavors and they will see you as a thought-leader in your new industry. You never know who they may be connected to in that field so there is no reason to burn (or eliminate) bridges. Best of luck in your new field!

Keelyn Sebeny · Answer

I agree with @Lesa Edwards and @Marie... I say keep your contacts. However, think about this as you would a campaign... Make a splash! When you are ready to go live with your new profile details, publish those updates and make them visible to your network. Send out a post to let folks know about your re-brand. Consider multi-media content. Author your own content sharing your journey. Use some of your available characters in your summary to share about the shift and what transferrable skills make you a star. Good luck, from one career changer to another!

Joanne Rosen · Answer

As a career coach/resume guru, I teach my clients to do a complete makeover on their profile and then start building their network with 2nd connections. It gives you a whole new group of people who may be interested.

In iterations of my life, I was a banker, a businesswoman, and a university instructor. All those people love to hear about what I'm doing now. They also refer their friends to me because they know who I am and trust me. They are great people to have as supporters. You never know . . . you might inspire one of them to change careers, too.

Cheers
Joanne

You're invited.

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