Imagine this: You’ve spent decades climbing the corporate ladder, leading multimillion-dollar companies, making game-changing decisions. Then, you retire—or pivot—expecting opportunities to roll in… but instead? Silence. Crickets.
That’s exactly what happened to a highly accomplished 55-year-old former CEO. With decades of experience and a stellar track record, she assumed consulting gigs would be a breeze. But despite networking and pitching, she kept hearing the same polite rejection: “We’re looking for someone more in touch with today’s industry shifts.”
The Problem? She Was Stuck in Her Past Titles.
Like many professionals at a career pivot, she led with her résumé rather than her relevance. Her LinkedIn headline read something like:
🛑 “Former CEO of [Company Name] | 30+ Years in Leadership”
Great, but here’s the issue: No one hires yesterday’s success. They hire today’s expertise.
A 2023 LinkedIn report found that professionals who focus on forward-looking expertise rather than past roles are 40% more likely to land new opportunities. Why? Because companies don’t just want experience; they want insight into where things are headed next.
The Shift? She Reframed Her Narrative.
Instead of presenting herself as someone who had done great things, she positioned herself as someone who was shaping the future.
She changed her headline to:
✅ “Helping Companies Navigate Digital Transformation & Leadership in the AI Era”
Suddenly, people leaned in. Potential clients weren’t just impressed; they were intrigued. They saw her not as someone who had been successful—but as someone they needed now.
The Takeaway: Future-Focus Wins.
If your career story sounds like a memoir instead of a movement, it’s time to rewrite it.
✔ Stop saying: “Former VP at X Company.”
✔ Start saying: “Driving [industry] innovation through [your expertise].”
Your value isn’t in what you’ve done. It’s in what you’re doing right now to shape the future.
A Personal Example: Practicing What I Preach
I recently took my own advice and revamped my LinkedIn bio. Instead of simply listing my past experience as a litigation paralegal, I reworked my headline to reflect how I add value today and moving forward. Here’s the before-and-after shift:
Before: Litigation Paralegal Specializing in Family Law, Insurance Defense Law, and Document Drafting.
After: Strategic Litigation Paralegal | Specializing in Family Law & Insurance Defense | Enhancing Legal Outcomes through Expert Document Drafting & Innovative Case Management.
The result? A stronger, future-focused brand that clearly communicates expertise, not just experience. If you’re not getting the responses you want, maybe it’s time to reposition yourself, too.
Your Action Step:
Take a hard look at your LinkedIn bio, resume, or pitch. Rewrite it with a forward-thinking lens. Make it clear why you’re the one to watch, not just the one who’s been there. Then, test it out—update your LinkedIn and monitor engagement. Are more people reaching out? Are conversations shifting? Drop your new career statement in the comments, and let’s make sure your future is just getting started!
#CareerPivot #LinkedInTips #PersonalBranding #FutureFocused #CareerGrowth #ConsultingSuccess #StayRelevant #JobSearch #CareerReinvention #Networking
Check out our additional blog posts, Your Expertise Might Be Killing Your Career and You’re Networking All Wrong: Why No One Takes You Seriously After 40.
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