Career Success Stories

How to Start Posting on LinkedIn (Even if You Feel Like You Have Nothing to Say) A lot of people tell me they want to start posting but feel nervous. They worry they only have a few ideas, or that they won’t be able to keep up a regular rhythm. They wonder if posting even matters for their career (spoiler: it definitely can). The truth is, you already have plenty to say, and LinkedIn is one of the easiest places to share it. Here are some practical ways to begin: 1. Share what you’re learning Talk about a course you’re taking, a podcast that gave you an “aha” moment, or a new tool you just tried. People like hearing about things they can use themselves. 2. Reflect on your work Did your team hit a small win? Did you face a challenge and learn from it? Even the behind-the-scenes of your day can be interesting. 3. Offer practical advice Post a tip that makes your job easier, or a mistake you made that others can avoid. Quick, actionable insights resonate. 4. Highlight people and relationships Celebrate a colleague, thank a mentor, or share wisdom you picked up from a recent conversation. Recognition posts build goodwill. 5. Comment on your industry React to a news story, event, or trend in your field. Share your perspective on why it matters. 6. Share your personal story How did you get into your career? What pivot shaped you? Lessons from your first job are often more relatable than you think. 7. Ask questions Invite discussion with prompts like: “What’s the tool you can’t live without at work?” or “What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out?” 8. Reuse and remix Turn a slide deck into a few posts, pull takeaways from a talk, or repost an old note with an update. You don’t always need something brand new. 9. Just have fun Tell a story about your kids, share a game you love, post about a hobby outside of work, or even something zany that made you smile. People connect with the human side of you just as much as the professional side. A lot of people say, “Posting on LinkedIn won’t get me a job.” I understand the skepticism, but here’s what I’ve seen: posting helps you get visible. Visibility leads to connections. Connections lead to opportunities. The majority of jobs are filled through networks, not cold applications, which are deadweight in this environment. Posting is not the only step, but it is a proven way to stay top of mind, alongside commenting, calls, events, and more. You don’t need to post daily. Even starting with once a week is enough. Collect ideas in a notes app as they come to you, then pick one to share. It doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be real. It helps me to imagine every post is just for a single close friend or loved one rather than hundreds of thousands reading it. If you post weekly, that’s 52 chances a year for people to see your voice, your ideas, and your story. That is worth it. So here’s my question: What’s one idea from this list you could turn into a post this week?

At 26, I thought I needed all the answers before starting. At 32, I realize I only needed to start—and I’m exactly where I need to be. Key lessons from my entrepreneurial journey (that you might need to hear): 1. Building a business isn't just about profits - it's about building people. Some of my best hires were freshers who grew into pillars of my company. 2. Your timeline is your own. Being 32, single, and running a successful business isn't a paradox - it's a choice to live life on your own terms. 3. The best investments aren't always from VCs - they're your clients who believe in you and your team members who invest their time and talent. 4. When family and business mix, keep them in separate bowls. Do business with strangers, and keep family for love. 5. Your employees aren't just resources - they're your partners in success. When they ask for a raise, remember: retention is cheaper than replacement. 6. A gap in your resume isn't failure - it's often the bridge to something better. I left a job in 6 months and built a successful agency. 7. Time tracking doesn't equal productivity. Trust your team, focus on results, and watch creativity flourish. 8. True leadership means supporting your team's dreams, even when it means letting them go pursue higher education. 9. The customer isn't just always right - they're the real CEO. Every business decision should start and end with them. 10. Authenticity in business partnerships matters. Choose collaborators who truly align with your values, not just your profit margins. 11. You can be a woman who manages both family and business. Breaking stereotypes isn't about choosing one over the other - it's about defining success on your own terms. My challenge to aspiring entrepreneurs in 2025: - Trust your instincts - Invest in your people - Build with authenticity - Break stereotypes Remember: Success isn't about fitting into someone else's mould - it's about having the courage to create your own. What lesson resonated most with you? #lesson #entrepreneurship

Over the last few years, I’ve switched jobs, given many interviews, and spent hundreds of hours optimizing my resume and profile. During this journey, I made plenty of mistakes that cost me time and opportunities. So today, I want to share these genuine mistakes—and more importantly, how you can avoid them: Applying Randomly & Everywhere: In the early stages, I thought applying to as many jobs as possible was the key. Big mistake! Quality always beats quantity. Lesson: Tailor each application to the job role. Research the company and make sure your resume aligns with their requirements. Ignoring LinkedIn & Online Presence: Initially, my LinkedIn profile was incomplete and poorly optimized. I underestimated the power of LinkedIn visibility. Lesson: Your online presence matters. A complete, active LinkedIn profile attracts opportunities you’d never find by traditional methods alone. Sending Generic Cold Messages: I used to send cold messages like "Hi, can you refer me?" which rarely received replies. Lesson: Craft a concise, clear message. Always include the specific role, job link/ID, your resume, and a short summary of your skills. Poor Resume Formatting: My resume had too many graphics, complicated formatting, and lacked the right keywords. This reduced my ATS compatibility. Lesson: Keep your resume simple, structured, and ATS-friendly. Use clear headings, bullet points, and keywords from the job description. Not Preparing for the "Tell Me About Yourself" Question: I used to treat this question lightly and gave long, vague answers. The interviewer would lose interest quickly. Lesson: Prepare a structured 1-minute summary focusing on your experience, skills, and how you match the job you're interviewing for. Underestimating the Job Description: I didn't closely analyze the job description and often missed key details required by employers. Lesson: Job descriptions are gold. Analyze them carefully and reflect their highlighted skills and requirements in your application and interviews. Overlooking Company Research: During interviews, I would have limited knowledge about the company's products or mission. This made my answers generic. Lesson: Always research the company’s recent activities, products, and news. It helps you answer questions meaningfully and shows genuine interest. Getting Demotivated by Rejections: Early rejections made me question my capabilities, negatively impacting future interviews. Lesson: Every rejection is a lesson. Ask for feedback, reflect, and improve. Rejection means redirection—not the end of the road. Negotiation Mistakes: I used to accept offers quickly without proper negotiation due to the fear of losing the offer. Lesson: Negotiate politely but confidently. Companies expect this. Always understand your market worth, and clearly communicate your value. Have you made similar mistakes or learned something valuable from your own job search? Share your experiences in the comments—let's help each other grow!

Let’s talk about the real education that happens after you step into the office — and why it’s the stuff that actually shapes your career. I still remember the first time I had to: ▪️Speak up in a meeting (even when my voice shook) ▪️Take responsibility for a mistake (and not blame the “system”) ▪️Juggle multie projects (without losing my mind) Here’s what I learned the hard way — lessons that no degree, no matter how prestigious, can teach you: 🔹 Deadlines wait for no one In college, you get extensions. At work, time is money. Every minute you waste affects not just you, but your team, your client, your brand. 🔹 Your attitude matters as much as your skills No one likes working with a brilliant jerk. Being helpful, curious, and respectful opens more doors than any certification. 🔹 Feedback is a gift — but only if you’re ready to hear it I used to take feedback personally, but then I realized: feedback is your fastest route to growth. 🔹 Learning never stops That “I’m done studying” feeling? It’s a myth. Every job — every task — is a chance to learn something new. This is the stuff that builds your career, one project, one conversation, one challenge at a time. 💡 Here’s what I wish someone had told me before my first day: 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙠, 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡, 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙎𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙪𝙥 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣. What’s one thing you learned at work that no one taught you in college? Let’s compare notes👇 LinkedIn LinkedIn News India LinkedIn Guide to Creating #FirstJob #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceLessons #EarlyCareer #LearningEveryday #ProfessionalGrowth

Many feel hesitant to share their job loss on LinkedIn due to layoff shame, but it's time to change that narrative. Here's my journey: I pioneered a new market category. I authored multiple series of articles defining this category, which are still referenced in academic dissertations today. I educated the entire telco LinkedIn community with my posts, many of which went viral. I created extensive marketing materials, from comprehensive overviews to detailed PowerPoints—literally tons of content. I revamped our website, personally writing all 82 pages. And it was before ChatGPT ;) I generated high-quality leads, contributing 50-80% of the company's annual revenue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, just four weeks after complex surgery, I represented the company at an event when no other executive was willing to travel. Despite these achievements, I still faced a layoff. But this experience did not diminish my self-worth. One employer’s inability to see my value did not define me. If you’ve been laid off, share your story with your network. Post it on LinkedIn. I did, and it led to numerous job leads. Not just for me, but for the rest of the people laid off with me. The incredible LinkedIn community provided all of us with moral support. So, here's my advice to you: Recognize your vast experience. List your accomplishments. Inform your network that you, a highly skilled professional, are available and ready to contribute. Let them assist you in finding an organization that will truly appreciate your talents. I found such a place, and you can too. Don't let shame hold you back—embrace the opportunity to start a new and exciting chapter!

LinkedIn has brought me career opportunities and friendships I never could have predicted. Yes, I have a large following now. But I started at zero (just like everyone else). Here are 8 LinkedIn tips to help you land your dream job and build a strong network: 1. Post thematically (not randomly) LinkedIn rewards activity. Instead of posting whenever inspiration hits, choose themes your network expects from you: • Industry insights • Insider lessons from books or conferences • Personal projects • Inspiration • Advice or asks 2. Talk about your industry, not yourself Industry insight = authority. The frequently shared LinkedIn content (in no particular order): • How-to posts • Lists • Deep, neutral analysis Teach first. Reputation follows. 3. Be a strategic “liker” Likes are memory cues. When you intentionally like someone’s post, you: • Stay top of mind • Create an instant conversation starter later • Build relationship momentum without DM’ing 4. Your profile is not a résumé It’s a living signal of who you are and what you care about. LinkedIn favors complete profiles, yet nearly half of users leave sections blank. Those extra sections (courses, volunteering, boards) make you more searchable and more human. Incomplete profile = invisible profile. 5. Kill buzzwords (they blur you) Words like strategic, passionate, expert are everywhere. Replace them with language you’d actually say out loud: • “Strategic” → decisive, judicious • “Experienced” → seasoned, practiced • “Leader” → guided, directed Your vocabulary is part of your brand. 6. Be an “adder,” not a commenter Comments aren’t for agreeing, but for adding value. Great comments: • Expand an idea • Share a relevant example • Offer gratitude or context If you want to impress someone, help their post become smarter. 7. Send smart connection requests Never send a blank request. Always answer: • How do I know them? • Why this person? • What’s in it for them? 8. Optimize for your audience Your profile shouldn’t appeal to everyone. Ask: Who do I need to succeed? • Freelancers → clients • Climbers → leaders • Switchers → future industry peers • Speak directly to them. 9. Network after you connect Connections decay without touchpoints. Once a month is enough: • Congratulate promotions • Share relevant info • Make an intro • Invite for coffee when traveling Consistency beats intensity. 10. Use “People Also Viewed” This section tells you: • Who LinkedIn thinks you are • Who you’re being compared to • Who you might be missing If you don’t like the comparison, adjust your language and connections. You don’t need to do all 10. Start with 1-2 and let the momentum compound. What’s one LinkedIn change you’ll make this week?

I walked into my favourite cafe when I spotted a familiar face. I went over to say hi and he asks, “Anna, where do you find all your content ideas for LinkedIn?” “I use the same technique from storytelling. I bank my stories. It’s like saving money in the bank. Instead of money, I use stories or ideas of stories.” Finding Content for LinkedIn: The Art of Storytelling Ever feel stuck on what to write about on LinkedIn? You’re not alone. But here’s a tip – finding content is a lot like finding a story to tell. Here’s how you can make it happen: 1. Dig into Your Day-to-Day Your everyday experiences are goldmines. Think about the small wins, the challenges, and those aha moments. There’s so much content hiding in your daily grind, just waiting to be shared. 2. Find the Lesson Every story has a takeaway. What did you learn from that tough project or that difficult conversation? Share the lessons you’ve picked up along the way. 3. Know Your Audience Just like a good story, your LinkedIn posts should resonate with your audience. What are their pain points? What interests them? Craft your content around these insights to make a real connection. 4. Show, Don’t Just Tell Instead of saying you’re a passionate leader, share a moment when you had to lead under pressure. For example, I once had to rally my team for a crucial deadline with just hours to spare. I described the chaos, the strategy, and the eventual triumph. Paint a picture with your words – describe the scene, the feelings, and the outcome. This makes your content more engaging and relatable. 5. Be Authentic People connect with authenticity. Share your real successes and failures. Be honest about your journey. Authentic stories are the ones that stick. 6. Engage with Your Audience Storytelling is a conversation. Encourage your readers to share their thoughts, experiences, and stories. Ask questions and engage with the comments. This not only enriches your content but also builds a sense of community. Finding content for LinkedIn doesn’t have to be hard. Treat it like storytelling – start with your experiences, find the lesson, and share it in a way that speaks to your audience. You’ll find that not only will you have more content ideas, but you’ll also create deeper connections with your readers. Hi, I’m Anna Ong! I'm the host and creator of What's Your Story Slam, an event where people from all walks of life come together to share their stories. It's like standup but with stories. It's a platform to connect and inspire each other through storytelling. Keen to learn more? DM me, and let's chat! P.S. What’s one personal experience you think would make a great LinkedIn post? I’d love to hear it!

To all the job seekers diligently searching for a new job right now, I see you. I want to share my family's story, which includes a relevant strategy for today's job search that could help. My husband lost his job during the pandemic. At the time, layoffs and job searches were at a peak, similar to today's market. With a concentrated effort, my husband landed a new role in just 2 months. He did it without applying for hundreds of jobs or relying solely on job boards. In fact, he applied for just 3 jobs. He also convinced an organization in another province to hire him remotely (when the role was not originally a remote position). Here's how he did it: ✔️ Nailed down a clear and defined job target. He resisted the temptation to cast a wide net and focused on what he was good at and what he wanted to do. ✔️ Built a tailored and results-rich resume for his job target (yes, of course, I helped, but I also taught him how to own the customization process). ✔️ Created a job search plan with a daily schedule – and executed it. This included time for job search activities, plus personal and family time. The schedule kept him focused and moving forward, but not burning out. ✔️ Conducted lots of research and searched out decision-makers, mainly here on LinkedIn (we also ensured his profile was fully optimized). ✔️ Identified a well-suited opportunity that was not in our city, so he dug into the organization, found a person in his network who worked there, and reached out to that person. ✔️ Developed an internal champion for himself inside the target company. This person vouched for him, gave him inside intel, and helped him shine during the hiring process. ✔️ Ensured that his resume was given directly to the hiring manager (care of the internal contact) in addition to applying for the role online. ✔️ Prepared diligently for multiple interviews, including a well-thought-out pitch on how he could manage the role remotely (remember, this was at the start of the pandemic and not as popular as it is today). ✔️ Secured the offer! Job seekers today can benefit from a similar strategy, remembering to lean on your network. Relationships matter a lot during a job search! Tell everyone you know what you need and what you are good at. Seek out decision-makers. Foster your network. People hire people. #jobsearch #layoffs #laidoff

I interviewed 7 people with unconventional careers in the last 6 months. Every one of them is building wealth outside the traditional corporate ladder: → A music grad who turned a viral Substack into an AI career platform → A Wall Street VP who built a wellness business while still in finance → A Goldman banker who applied to 99 jobs before landing in startup ops → A 20-year Microsoft Sr Director who built a 100K+ Instagram following → An ex-pro tennis player who used LinkedIn to pivot from banking to content → A Goldman PM who took a 20-month gap year and came out the other side → A consultant who left to build a portfolio career as a strategist and creator Here's what actually worked for them: 1. Use your job to fund what's next. The ex-pro tennis player didn't love tennis, but it got her to the US. She didn't love banking either, but it gave her the runway to explore. Your 9-5 is capital — financial and skill-based. Extract both. 2. You don't have to leave to reinvent yourself. One person spent 20 years at the same company, kept asking for better work, and built a massive personal brand on the side. Your current job can fund your next chapter if you're strategic about it. 3. Overthinking keeps you stuck longer than taking action. One person applied to 99 jobs. Another took 20 months off. Both said the same thing: you'll never feel ready. Take action, then adjust. 4. Your skills are bigger than your CV. One founder told me people tend to describe themselves in "CV language" — good at Excel, good at presentations. But the real skills are what's underneath: analytical thinking, storytelling, making sense of complexity. That's what transfers. 5. Content is a cheat code to build connections. One person calls it "relationship currency." Another built a LinkedIn presence that helped her land her next role. Your personal brand opens doors your resume can't. 6. Build from abundance, not desperation. The Wall Street VP waited until she had runway and credibility. The consultant built her side business for years before going full-time. The best pivots happen when you're running towards something — not away. The common thread? None of them waited for permission. They built leverage (often while employed), documented what they learned, and created optionality before they needed it. If you like stories like this, I share them in my weekly newsletter → nonlinearnews.com

I’m coming up on the 2-year mark of my solopreneur journey! Here are 7 important truths and lessons I’ve picked up along the way: 1️⃣ Success doesn’t follow a straight line. In the corporate world, promotions and raises are part of a career ladder _ there’s an upward path for it. As a solopreneur, success is less predictable. Some months are fantastic, and others leave you questioning everything. The key is to keep moving forward, even when the results aren’t immediate. 2️⃣ You’re not just the boss—you’re the janitor too. When I first started, I imagined spending my days on high-level strategy and creative work. In reality, I’ve spent just as much time on mundane tasks, like troubleshooting tech issues or managing invoices. Being a solopreneur means wearing all the hats when you start off. 3️⃣ Boundaries are everything. One of the biggest challenges has been learning to say “no.” Without clear boundaries, work can easily bleed into every corner of your life. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that it’s okay to turn down projects that aren’t a good fit, even if it means missing out on short-term gains. 4️⃣ You can’t do it all alone. Taking it all on yourself leads to burnout. I’ve had to learn the value of asking for help and investing in the right people and tools to support my growth. 5️⃣ Your network is your lifeline. In the corporate world, networking is important, but as a solopreneur, it’s vital. The relationships I’ve built have opened doors I didn’t even know existed. These connections have not only led to business opportunities but have also provided much-needed support during challenging times. 6️⃣ Imposter syndrome never fully goes away. There are still days when I question whether I’m “qualified” to be doing what I’m doing. It’s natural. It will keep happening. But it’s important to implement mindset shifts and to celebrate your wins to make sure it doesn’t run wild. 7️⃣ Celebrate the small wins. It’s easy to get caught up in the big picture and forget to acknowledge the progress you’re making. I’ve found that taking the time to celebrate even the smallest victories helps maintain momentum and motivation. These lessons haven’t always been easy to learn, but they’ve been invaluable in shaping the business and person I am today. If you’re on a similar journey, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned? Want my favorite advice on staying motivated, whether you’re in corporate or a solopreneur? Check out my free course here: https://lnkd.in/g_8ASVXB PS: Every few weeks I post the latest thoughts running through my mind as a solopreneur. Check them out here: https://lnkd.in/geRYKrww