Hello! I’m new to this group! Thank you in advance for all of your help!
I am currently an unemployed insurance claim representative. It has been 6 months since I was laid off from my company due to downsizing. I just updated my LinkedIn to reflect the date I stopped working at the company. I feel like I just committed a crime by doing this! A head hunter told me I am no longer “marketable! I want transparency in my job hunt. Was I wrong in doing this?
LeeAnn GREENLAW
33
06/09/20 at 7:25PM UTC
Great idea! Thank you!
KBinCOSPHR-Certified HR Leader
78
06/09/20 at 7:17PM UTC
Hi there... a recruiter-turned-HR person here... I think transparency is okay. That recruiter is over-reacting I think...But a tactic I used once when I was between roles was this: I set myself up as an LLC (it's easy and $50 here in CO) and put my HR Consulting company on my resume and LI Profile. If you can't get paid, just do pro bono work!
LeeAnn GREENLAW
33
05/30/20 at 4:24PM UTC
Thank you! This makes me feel better!
Mindy ClaggettMarketing | Communications | Program Management
238
05/30/20 at 3:49PM UTC
IMO, you do need to be transparent. When I was laid off, I put on my resume AND LI profile that my position was eliminated ahead of a corporate merger (which it was).
You will hear conflicting advice -- some people will say you can reveal that information during the interview process, or you should just explain in your cover letter. Most recruiters/HR reps admit they don't read cover letters, so while you SHOULD address it there, that's not necessarily going to help.
What if that resume gap prevents them from even considering you, let alone bringing you in for an interview? If it's addressed in your resume in a professional manner, that helps eliminate a barrier right away.
I have been on LI for almost a decade, and I have only ever gotten a couple of contacts about jobs. Being transparent on your profile isn't going to hurt you, when it's a layoff situation. Given the massive numbers of unemployed people out there right now, no hiring orgs are going to be surprised.
If that headhunter wants you to be deceptive on your LI profile, I wouldn't trust him/her to be honest in helping you, either.
