How to update my on-line presence with new skills.

Caro W. on November 13, 2013

Career Change, Career Management, Image/Professionalism

I am on disability, while I complete a 5-year treatment for breast cancer, hopefully by the end of 2014. I have a pretty good resume but am unsure if I will have the mental capacity to do what I have done in the past (procurement). During this period, I have begun silversmithing which is very different from what I did before but it is something I am becoming pretty good at. So here's my dilemma, I feel like I need to keep my LinkedIn presence updated but I have no idea how to add my silversmithing skills without diluting my professional appearance, in case I am able to go back to my former life. Perhaps I am premature in wanting to update my profile; maybe I should just lay low until I know what I will be able to do?

Thank you so much for any ideas you may have.


5 Comments

Image of Julie Jansen

Julie Jansen

Nov 13, 2013

Career Coach Comment:

Hi Carolyn,

While it is important to have a presence on LinkedIn, to your point it's tough to create a profile that encompasses more than one focus or career. Because of this, I suggest that you wait until you are sure that you are going to focus on silversmithing as your full-time career. Meanwhile, there is no harm in adding silversmithing to the interests section of your profile as well as a key word in the skills and expertise section. Hope this helps! And congratulations on developing such an interesting new skill!

Take care,

Julie

Image of Caro W.

Caro W.

Nov 13, 2013

Julie, thanks so much for the quick response & great advice. I guess I'm just in a hurry to get back to "normal" but it seems like that every time I push it, I am reminded why I shouldn't. 

I think your idea of adding to my interest section is brilliant. I will spend some time on that this very day.

Image of Caro W.

Caro W.

Nov 13, 2013

Quite honestly, if I could do the silversmithing work & not have to go back to the corporate hot-bed, that would be real living as I can't seem to get enough of it.

Image of Julie Jansen

Julie Jansen

Nov 13, 2013

Career Coach Comment:

Carolyn,

Well if you want to make this happen, I believe you will. 2/3 of the battle of finding work that is gratifying is identifying what it is and feeling passion for it, both of which you have already done!

Corporate hot-bed is so true. I love that term!

Good luck!

Julie

Image of Caro W.

Caro W.

Nov 13, 2013

Thanks a bunch. Your words of encouragement are, well, encouragement!

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