Archive for category: First Sun Blog

If you’re like most first-year college students right now, you may be thinking, “Life is good, my courses are all set, and there’s nothing else on the horizon except for next weekend’s beach blanket bingo party.” So why would you even consider applying for internships now, especially when the majority of your peers are just trying to increase their GPA and their social influence on campus?

I know it’s unusual to start searching for internships during your first year of college, but what if I told you that standing out from the crowd and doing something differently is precisely what’s needed to land your dream job? Think back to any success story, and you’ll find that the underdog is the one who steals the show. And you, my friend, may certainly feel like the underdog, especially if you decide to apply for internships and compete in the same rooms as talented juniors and seniors.

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Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – May24 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.6 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

However, even if you feel like a fish out of water or out of your league, I can guarantee you this: The fact that you decided to venture out before you felt like you were 100% ready gives you a competitive edge. If you’re brave enough to step out in confidence, you’re a sure candidate who will lead with initiative, innovation and curiosity. So, are you ready to get into the internship game? Read on for how to get started.

You Can Get Internships As A Freshman (And You Should)

As a freshman in college, you may feel a little green around the gills. After all, your experience in the job market is sure to be minimal. But you, my Gen Z reader, are teachable. And if there’s one thing all businesses want, it’s someone who is willing to show up with the passion and desire to learn new skills.

In fact, many employers value working with people who are considered coachable and motivated to grow professionally. And why wouldn’t they? With the endless influx of AI, it’s no wonder that adaptability is the new superpower in business. So, now that you know businesses are open to having you intern, let’s talk about when you should start looking for these applications and what to do if you’re already behind schedule.

Don’t feel like you have to have everything sorted out in one weekend. Finding the right internship takes time. Pace yourself and set weekly objectives to complete. The key is to understand the big picture and then work backwards with the details.

For instance, let’s say your major is marketing and you hope to land an internship in New York City over the summer. Follow this blueprint below:

1. Create a list of your top five programs that you think would be a good fit.
2. Write out the deadlines and qualifications you need for each internship.
3. Check if you need to add anything to your skillset to boost your resume.
4. Create a list of what actions you need to take in order to fill in those gaps.

Once you have done everything you can do to increase your chance of being accepted, it’s now time to apply, hope for the best, and breathe. Because if you’ve completed everything above, that’s all you can do. Now, it’s up to fate.

What Internships Are Available For College Freshmen?

Certain companies tailor their internships to be age-specific and only allow freshmen and sophomores to enter into their programs. Three of them include:

• Explore Microsoft is an 8-week (India) or 12-week (U.S.) summer internship program specifically designed for first-year and second-year college students.
• The Bank of America Global Technology Freshman Summer Analyst Program is a 10-week program designed to provide a unique opportunity to gain exposure to life at the financial institution and also make significant contributions to the team.
• The Two Sigma First Year Software Engineering Internship is a 10-week summer internship program held at the company’s New York City office in Soho.

Where Can Freshmen Find More Of These Internships?

If you want to do some more digging and look at your specific industry, you can join job websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn and others, and look through their database for other opportunities. Another option is to leverage your network on career platforms such as Handshake and reach out to fellow students and alumni who have previously interned at companies that interest you. They can connect you with the right people or inform you about opportunities that align with your major and skillset.

How Do You Stand Out When You Have No Experience?

“From what I’ve seen — and having been an intern myself a few years ago — the best interns stand out by being proactive and genuinely curious,” says Hardik Ruparel, the founder of EasyReferrals, a cloud-based platform that turbocharges the job referral process. “I understand most interns hope to convert their role into a full-time offer, but I strongly recommend approaching the experience primarily as a learning opportunity,” he notes. “While technical skills do matter, we place even more weight on how curious and proactive an intern is.”

Jade Walters, an employer branding consultant and the founder of The Ninth Semester, a career resource for young professionals, echoes this sentiment. She suggests, “My biggest advice for interns is to not be afraid to ask questions. As an intern, you’re not expected to know everything at your new organization. Don’t be afraid to ask your manager questions about the work you’re doing, the team, the company, etc. They’re here to support you.”

Getting an internship as a freshman helps you stand out and provides the connections you need to land your dream job after graduation. But it doesn’t just happen by chance. It takes strategy. So, take some time to list your top companies, research the internship qualifications, then step out in confidence by filling out that application. Remember, you’ll never get anywhere by sitting on the sidelines. It’s time to play the game and win.

Forbes.com | August 13, 2025 | Colleen Batchelder

Your LinkedIn About section is where you tell your authentic and compelling story. This 2,600-character space sits near the top of your profile and allows you to introduce yourself to the people who are checking you out. It allows you to showcase who you are, what you do, and why people should care. It is written specifically for your audience, the people you want to influence, impact, and impress.

Your About is one of four key LinkedIn profile elements that help you get noticed and tell your story. An inspiring About is authentic, while at the same time, aspirational. That helps to position you for what’s next. Your LinkedIn About will likely be the most-read version of your bio, and as such, it plays many roles in your career.

Your LinkedIn About Is Your First Impression

Because in the virtual age digital precedes real, your online profile is often your first impression. Whether people start at Google or go directly to LinkedIn to learn about you, they’ll likely end up at your profile. That’s because your LinkedIn profile will show up at or near the top of Google search results. Think of your LinkedIn profile as your personal, always-available website, where your About is your homepage. It should grab attention, establish credibility, and build a human connection.

If your About is empty, undifferentiated, or bland, it’s not going to influence the reader. But, a well-written, authentic About captivates the reader, making them want to get to know you more deeply.

Like this Article?  Share It! You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – May24 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.6 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

Your LinkedIn About Establishes Your Personal Brand

Your LinkedIn About helps you define who you are, what you stand for, and what sets you apart from your peers. Whether you’re a professional, entrepreneur, or senior executive, it’s your chance to tell your story in a way that aligns with who you are and how you deliver value to others. Of course, crafting a branded About assumes you are clear about your personal brand. Focus on uncovering your brand before writing your About. A branded About helps you:

• Showcase your differentiation
• Attract opportunities that align with your goals
• Build trust and connection with those who are researching you

Your LinkedIn About Is Your Elevator Pitch—With Greater Impact

Unlike a live conversation, your LinkedIn About is delivering your introduction on your behalf 24/7. Think of it as the extended-play version of your elevator pitch, delivered online. It creates interest, getting people to want to connect with you to learn more.

Craft Your Standout LinkedIn About

An engaging LinkedIn About is not just a list of credentials in paragraph form. It’s your brand story. It helps you connect with your audience. To do that, write in the first person. That sets up a conversation between you and the reader. After all, people assume you wrote your own LinkedIn About, so using the third person can feel distant or inauthentic. When crafting it, avoid these common mistakes, then follow these four steps:

1. Start with a Sizzle

When someone visits your profile, they don’t see your entire About section. They just see the first two or three lines. That opening needs to be magnetic. It determines whether people will click “see more” to read your entire About, or just move on. That’s why your start needs to sizzle. Make it unexpected, intriguing, energizing, funny, or differentiated to make the reader want to learn more.

This sizzling start makes you want to get to know Leadership and Management Coach Fabian Camargo. He starts with a compelling promise.

“You can excel without sacrificing your well-being. Yes, you can even love Mondays.

As a leadership and management coach with a solid tech background, I help people do exactly that. My approach creates a space for you to think, feel, be, and breathe. I’ll challenge and support you, staying curious … see more”

2. Create a Bridge

Once you’ve hooked the reader, create a bridge to connect the kick-off with the full story. What can someone expect when they work with you?

Jean Oplinger’s LinkedIn About starts with a provocative statement, then builds the bridge to her work as an executive coach and expert on the topic of values.

“The most transformative leaders and teams I’ve worked with aren’t just skilled, they’re aware and aligned. They know what drives them, what matters, and what they won’t compromise. That clarity changes everything.

I’m Jean Oplinger, Master Certified Executive Coach, Personal Brand Strategist, and Founder of Values Identifier, a data-driven tool that helps individuals and teams discover the values that drive their decisions, relationships, and results.”

3. Tell Your Story

Your About is not your Experience section rewritten in prose. It needs to be more human, approachable, and memorable. When done, it should sit at the intersection of credibility and likability. Give the reader a chance to get to know the real, fascinating human being behind the job title.

4. Keep the Conversation Going

End your About with a call to action, giving readers a chance to learn more. Direct them to some content that reinforces your message, invite them to sign up for your newsletter, or give them an opportunity to deepen their learning. Now that the reader knows about you, what do you want them to do next so you can continue the conversation?

The Added Benefit Of Writing Your LinkedIn About: Personal Brand Clarity

Writing your About helps you achieve brand clarity. The process makes you decide what to include and what to leave out. It forces you to choose which accomplishments to feature, which passions to share, and how to express your aspirations and life purpose. All of these decisions you make as you move through the process define how you want to be known. The process not only shapes and refines your brand, it also boosts your confidence and ability to articulate your unique promise of value in an engaging way.

Here are 11 stellar examples of engaging LinkedIn Abouts, each as unique as the person it describes.

• Damilare Odueso, Co-founder Crendly
• Ana-Maria Butucaru, Partner, PwC
• Charles Good, President, Institute for Management Studies (IMS)
• Paul Gurney, CEO, BecomingX
• Aliza Edelstein, VP, Product Marketing, Scribe
• Gijo Mathew, Chief Product Officer, Spring Health
• Nawal Fakhoury, Senior Director, Culture Experience, Hubspot
• Jacob Schwartz, Founder, Magiscribe
• Rita Wang, IT Communications Training Lead
• Julie Smith, PR Manager, Haworth
• Moe Tanabian, CEO, IntuigenceAI

Now it’s your turn. Use these examples for inspiration. Then, follow the process to craft or update your LinkedIn About. Ask a few people you trust to give you feedback on your draft, incorporate the feedback, and upload it to your profile. Then you can focus on the other three essential LinkedIn profile sections that form your digital first impression.

Forbes.com Author:  William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. Join him for practical tips on using AI to uncover, express, and expand your personal brand in a free Maven Lightning Lesson. If you can’t make it live, register to get the replay.

Forbes.com | August 11, 2025

Thinking about making a career change? You’re not the only one. A study by Glassdoor revealed that around half of U.S. workers are considering it, and nearly 6 in 10 are already on the hunt for something new.

Making a smart career move takes more than just a hunch. It calls for honest reflection, focused thinking, and a little planning. When work gets hard or something shiny pops up, it’s easy to feel tempted to jump ship. But how do you know if a career change is really the right call, or just a distraction? Start by asking yourself these five questions.

Am I Happy With My Current Career?

Pause and look at what you’re doing now. Is your current role taking you in a direction you’re actually interested in? If you’re even considering a career change, the answer is probably no, which is something worth looking into.

Let’s be real: work isn’t always rainbows and perfectly brewed coffee. But considering we spend about 90,000 hours (yep, about a third of our lives) at work, it better count for something. That’s exactly why your job should make you happy. You deserve to feel respected, challenged, and paid fairly. If those things are consistently missing, it might be time to consider a change.

That said, if you’re generally happy with your job, and while not every single day is perfect, you feel engaged and valued most of the time, it might be worth sticking around. Job satisfaction can’t be bought, and more money won’t magically make you enjoy a job you already can’t stand.

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – May24 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.6 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

What Do I Not Want In My Next Role?

Sometimes, it helps to start with what you don’t want. Think back to the roles, tasks, or work environments that left you feeling tired or uninspired. Knowing your deal-breakers can help you narrow things down when exploring your next move.

Your career affects more than your schedule. It touches your physical, mental, and emotional health, too. When you’re in the wrong role, it takes a toll. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 19% of employees are miserable at work, and 60% feel emotionally detached. It’s easy to settle into a job that isn’t right for you without realizing it.

Forbes.com | June 28, 2028 | Sho Dewan,

I’m old enough to remember a time when Facebook was just for college students, X was just another letter in the alphabet, and LinkedIn was the nerdy social media platform you might update if you got a new job or promotion, but even then, probably not.

Today, I’m one of more than 134 million users who log on to LinkedIn every day, not only because much of my work is in the career development space, but as a freelancer, I’m also continuously looking for new work myself. Plus, as a former member of the “I only network when I really need a job” club, I now know that making and maintaining professional relationships is something I should do no matter my job status.

Sure, LinkedIn isn’t perfect, and no social media platform is. But if you’re one of the frustrated LinkedIn users who haven’t seen any professional benefits, have a think about how you’re actually using it. According to Simone Anzböck, a transformational international career coach, making LinkedIn work for you is about far more than just updating your profile or broadcasting a job search.

“LinkedIn is not a passive platform,” Anzböck tells me. “It’s relationship-driven, and relationships need to be nurtured with intention.” Turning a connection into a job lead also doesn’t happen overnight. “This is a long-term strategy,” Anzböck points out. “You sometimes need to go beyond the LinkedIn platform and turn these connections into real conversations, even if it’s just a virtual coffee.”

Ultimately, it’s about showing up with consistency, curiosity, and a clear purpose. “You don’t need to be a LinkedIn influencer,” Anzböck says. “You just need to be strategic and intentional. The rest will follow.” Here are three actionable tips she shares for using LinkedIn more strategically and authentically to get some real value out of the platform.

Before diving into posting, commenting, or sending out dozens of connection requests, Anzböck advises taking a step back to get crystal clear on what you hope to accomplish.

“What is your objective?” and “How will LinkedIn help you with that?” are questions you should be asking yourself before moving forward, Anzböck says. “Your strategy should align with your goal. Someone looking to become a thought leader will use the platform differently than someone searching for a new job.”

Once you know what you’re trying to accomplish, think of how this can be reflected in your LinkedIn profile. After all, a comprehensive LinkedIn profile gives you a 71% higher chance of landing a job interview, according to one study.

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – May24 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.6 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

Consider approaching your updated profile like it’s a “shop window” that aligns with your goal. A smart shop owner shows the most relevant products in their window, the ones that speak to the right customer. They also won’t crowd the window with every item they sell in their shop. It’s similar on LinkedIn.

“It’s not about showing everything you’ve done. It’s about showing what’s relevant,” she says. That means updating your headline with strategic keywords, crafting a focused “About” section, and highlighting the most pertinent parts of your experience.

Focus On Building And Nurturing “Weak Ties”

When it comes to growing your professional network, Anzböck highlighted the common misconception that more is always better. “Nobody really needs 10,000 followers,” she says. “LinkedIn should be about meaningful connections, not mass accumulation.”

To illustrate this point, Anzböck mentioned the British anthropologist Robin Dunbar’s research that most people can only properly maintain around 150 relationships and connections at once. While she acknowledged that this theory has been questioned in the age of social media, the main point of Dunbar’s research is still valid.

“Whether the number is 150, 200, or 250, most social scientists agree that there is a limited number of people that you can really maintain ties with,” she says.

This ties into another theory on the power of “weak ties” that originated with Stanford sociologist Mark Granovetter’s 1973 study and was proven to be as relevant for LinkedIn users by researchers in 2022. ​​Their study involved 20,000 users over a five-year period and found that a person’s weakest ties were the most helpful for career advancement, especially for those in sectors with a digital focus.

“If you have 500 contacts on LinkedIn, think about who those 150 are that might be weak ties worth focusing on,” Anzböck says. These may be acquaintances who do not know you deeply, but they are close enough to potentially recommend you or make introductions.

“Weak ties are bridges to new social circles,” she says. “They’re often more useful for job leads than your closest friends, who probably know the same people you do.”

Aim To Engage Consistently And Thoughtfully

“Don’t just post and ghost,” Anzböck says, referring to users who publish content but don’t engage with others on the platform. Instead, she recommends five principles for effective engagement: Be visible, be helpful, actively connect, train the algorithm, and (optionally) post original content.

Visibility, she explains, starts with commenting, not just liking. “Commenting is a great way to be visible because your profile shows up on another person’s feed for everyone to see,” Anzböck says. “But go beyond just saying, ‘Love this!’ Add your perspective, ask a question, contribute to the discourse.”

Being helpful is also key. That could mean sharing a relevant article, tagging someone in a job post, or making a warm introduction. “Think of it as social karma,” Anzböck says. “If you’re helpful to others, the help will come back to you.”

When sending connection requests, she advises always including a personalized note. “Say why you want to connect. Mention something specific from their profile or content. Ask a question. Be interested,” she recommends.

While posting your own content can help with visibility, it’s not a must. To be visible with content, you have to be consistent over a long period of time to see the payoff. “You can’t be consistent with something you don’t enjoy. So, if you don’t enjoy creating content, don’t do it just because you think you should,” she says, quoting a content strategist: “If you don’t see content creation as an artful, soulful activity, don’t do it.”

Instead, focus on training your algorithm by engaging with the topics and people most aligned with your goals. LinkedIn will show you more of what you interact with, so be deliberate. “Unfollow what’s not relevant. Like and comment on what is.”

By applying these principles, job seekers and professionals alike can use LinkedIn not just as a digital resume but as a dynamic tool for meaningful career development. But Anzböck also advises against falling into the trap that all networking can and should take place on LinkedIn.

According to Anzböck, “Networking is not only LinkedIn. Go out in the real world and meet real people. Everything might seem to happen on LinkedIn, but that is far from true. Especially since the pandemic, more and more people crave real spaces. So find your offline spaces too. You might just enjoy it that little bit more.”

Forbes.com | June 25, 2025 | Justin Sablich

If you’ve been applying for jobs for months and received little to no response, even though you’ve followed all the right advice and done all the right things with your resume and job interviews, it’s not you that’s the problem. It’s the system.

The traditional idea of work is broken. That’s why there are estimates that more than half of the U.S. workforce (over 86 million professionals) will be freelancing by 2027. That’s also why freelance hiring is up 260%. Employers and employees are waking up to the realization that the old work model — with the employer and employee relationship — no longer works like it used to.

I’ve personally met countless people on LinkedIn who’ve told me they’ve been out of the workforce for what feels to them like the longest time. Some have been laid off and still searching for jobs for a few weeks, three months, or even six months or more later. The U.S. unemployment rate may be remaining steady at 4.2%, yet there are some factors which are continuing to negatively affect the labor market.

The Traditional Job Search Model Is Broken

Even though the number of long-term unemployed people fell by 218,000 in May, about one in five professionals are long-term unemployed, and more than 260,000 workers were still jobless after being out of work for up to five weeks, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number includes workers displaced by the administration changes that have led to federal jobs being affected, with employment down by 59,000 since January.

AI replacing jobs, mass layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and sustained peak interest in remote job opportunities are all creating a highly competitive job market that has been increasingly harder to navigate and results in many who re out of work feeling despair and overwhelm at their job prospects. And of course, that’s reasonable, if your only hope of a fulfilling career and making a steady income was found in a job.

But these days, if you want to escape the rat race of chasing job applications and constantly being rejected or ghosted, it’s time to flip the script and take a different approach: Instead of chasing roles, build leverage and create your own.

Why Job Hunting Is Outdated And Inefficient

Today, especially when applying for remote jobs, you’ll likely find:

• Hundreds of applicants for each role, reducing the chances that you’ll even be seen, receive feedback, or be shortlisted
• AI resume screening via applicant tracking system software, filtering out your application so a human doesn’t get to see it
• Hardly any chance of landing the job even if you are noticed, unless you have insider referrals and go through a backdoor

So what works instead? You need to create an engine or system that generates your own opportunities and multiple income streams without limits.

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What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

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Article continued …

What Works Instead Of Traditional Job Hunting

Instead of this:

• Submitting hundreds of applications a week
• Hitting the easy-apply button on job boards
• Begging for “a chance” at new employment
• Using “open-to-work” banner on LinkedIn

Do this instead:

• Post value-packed content consistently and every day on LinkedIn
• Create an irresistible offer, product or service, and package it to be sold and eventually scaled with minimal ongoing effort
• Pitch directly for media and partnership opportunities to increase your revenue and visibility in your area of expertise
• Drive organic interest to your business by optimizing your online presence, gather testimonials, and showcase your results

Find a high-income skill that you’re already comfortable with and is in strong demand, then make your presence known wherever the interest is. Using ChatGPT to help you in this process will amplify your reach and reduce your time to market, especially if you’re unaccustomed to freelancing and selling yourself from a business standpoint. Here’s how it works.

ChatGPT Prompts To Earn Money From Your Skills

To start making money and rebuilding your career today, here are five steps you can take right now.

1. Create a freelance profile on LinkedIn Services or Upwork, and offer services within a specialty like copywriting, video editing, social media management, marketing or other area in which you have knowledge and background.

• Ask ChatGPT: “Here is my resume (attach resume). Ask me some questions to extract the best from my work experience and expertise, and when you’re done asking all of them and I’ve responded, create a concise bio using that information for (platform), that will attract the attention of potential clients.”

2. Turn your expertise into a product, such as a guide, course, workshop or template. This yields passive income with consistent sales.

• Ask ChatGPT: For the prompt on this one, check out this article.

3. Build your presence and optimize your visibility wherever your clients are. That could be YouTube, LinkedIn, Substack, Instagram or Medium. The whole idea is to position yourself as the leading voice in your niche and sub-niche.

• Ask ChatGPT: “Generate a 30-day content and engagement plan for my (name your channel). My target audience is (describe your audience).”

4. Partner with brands and other leading voices and content creators in your field, through sponsorships, shared content, guest features, podcasts and affiliate marketing.

• Ask ChatGPT: “I want to partner with brands, creators, and top voices to get my brand out there and more visible. Give me a list of people and brands I should partner with, partnership ideas for each one, and a tailored outreach email template for each.”

5. Offer specific services tied directly to tangible results. Instead of vague, “I do social media copywriting,” say “I increase client conversion rates for wellness brands by 30%, through social media content,” or instead of “I help women achieve their health goals,” say “I help women over 40 lose belly fat in less than six months.”

• Ask ChatGPT: “Help me create a value statement that is outcome and results-driven based on the service I’m delivering or offer I’m providing.”

Top Platforms To Use Instead Of Job Boards

Now that you’ve shifted from the mindset of “please hire me” to “I’m hiring myself” and offering a service, here are some platforms that you can start monetizing today.

• LinkedIn — for building thought leadership, networking and showcasing your portfolio as well as your services page to attract potential clients
• Substack — for building thought leadership and a loyal following
• Kajabi — for hosting and selling courses and digital products
• Upwork — for finding freelance clients and short-term gigs
• Contra — for finding freelance clients and project contracts
• Thinkific — for hosting and selling online courses
• Gumroad — for selling creative digital products
• Etsy — for selling physical and digital products

The job hunting process is flawed and outdated. What works today and has a stronger guarantee of success is when you turn your skills (and AI) into leverage to create your own opportunities. In this article, you’ve just been armed with the tools to make that happen. It’s time to remove that green banner and get back to work for yourself.

Forbes.com | June 18, 2025 | Rachel Wells,