6. LinkedIn: The Necessary Evil (and how to nail it — what I wish I'd done sooner)

One of the main reasons All the Cool Girls Get Fired hit a nerve with me is because its key message is so empowering — and honestly, liberating.

The authors basically hand your power back to you.

They tell us to own our narrative. To take back the control we momentarily (emphasis on momentarily) lost when someone else made a decision for us. “Own your firing” is a sentence they use a lot, and it’s refreshing — because it doesn’t ask you to hide. It asks you to stand in the truth.

And they put it bluntly:

“The truth is not shameful. It’s freeing. When you own your story, you strip away the stigma. Yeah, I got ‘let go.’”

OK. So how do you actually tell the story?

This is where LinkedIn comes in.

And this is the part I wish I could go back in time for — because I did the opposite of what the book recommends.

I went MIA on LinkedIn.

Not because I didn’t understand, it mattered. I did. But because I wasn’t prepared — or willing — to write the traditional “I got let go” post.

You know the one:

So grateful for the opportunities at Company X. I’ve learned so much from my amazing colleagues — especially my mentor, Bob, and my partner-in-crime, Akta — and too many others to mention, but you know who you are. But most of all, I’ll miss my incredible clients...

(insert endless gratitude + a tiny hint of heartbreak)

I couldn’t do it. It didn’t feel like me. And honestly, it felt like a performance I’d seen/read too many times — and rarely believed.

What I should have done sooner (instead of procrastinating and being in denial)

The book quotes career expert Marianne Ruggiero (Optima Careers), and her approach is the one I wish I’d used: clear, direct, and human — without the emotional labour.

Here’s the version she recommends.

Hi friends — I’ve just wrapped up X years at Company.

Proud of: (1) achievement (2) achievement (3) achievement

I’m now exploring: target roles/industry

If you know someone I should speak with, I’d love to connect.

You can add a small personal note if you want — but you get the point: short and sweet.

No over-explaining. No apology. No “spin.” Just: here’s what happened, here’s what I’ve done, here’s what I’m looking for, here’s the ask.

Why this works (even if LinkedIn makes you cringe)

Because LinkedIn isn’t “social media” in the way we think about it. It’s your network. And LinkedIn’s own positioning (and basically every hiring reality) points to the same thing:

You’re far more likely to find your next opportunity through people you already know (or one connection away) than through applying into the void — especially via Easy Apply.

Even if your heart isn’t fully in it, invest in the place where momentum can happen.

A calm, smart way to "do LinkedIn" without losing your mind

If you’re in a career reset and LinkedIn feels like a necessary evil, try this simple approach:

Step 1: Post once (the template above) One clean update. One clear ask.

Step 2: Re-enter through comments (not cold DMs) For 15 minutes a day, comment thoughtfully on posts from:

• past colleagues

• industry leaders

• companies you’d work for

• recruiters in your space

This builds visibility without begging for attention.

Step 3: Target specific people for DMs (and make it specific)

Here’s a message that works — because it’s personal, not generic:

Hi [Name] — quick note to reconnect. It’s been a while since [specific context: we worked on X / we last spoke at Y]. I saw your recent [post / role change / article] and it made me think of you. I’m exploring [direction/role]. I thought of you because of [Y]. If you’re open to a quick 15-minute call, I’d really appreciate your input on [Z].

(The more specific — and less generic — you are, the better.)

Direct. Respectful. Easy to say yes to.

Use LinkedIn’s free resources (they’re better than people think)

LinkedIn also has genuinely useful free resources. I personally appreciated the webinars hosted by Andrew Seaman, Managing Editor of Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News. Strong guest speakers, practical advice, and a good antidote to doom-scrolling.

Two people worth following on LinkedIn if you’re navigating a career reset:

• Farah Sharghi (ex-Google recruiter)

• Sarah Johnston

  
  

The Swan Chapter note

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I can’t handle LinkedIn right now,” you’re not the only one. You’re just in the messy middle.

But when you’re ready: don’t overthink it. Don’t disappear. Don’t perform. Post the truth. Make a clean ask. Reconnect like a human.

That’s how you “own your firing” in real life.

If you’re pivoting away from your old career (and LinkedIn isn’t your main plan)

If you’re moving toward something completely different, LinkedIn may not be your main platform — and that’s fine. But it’s still smart to keep a basic presence.

Think of it as your public credibility card, not your whole identity.

• Keep your profile current (and keep it short if you’re still deciding).

• Make one “re-entry” post (don’t overshare — just be current and clear).

• Stay lightly active (a few comments a week).

• And if your next chapter is more creator-led, you may find another platform fits better. For example, I discovered Pinterest is a better match for building a new direction. More on that later.

Final note on LinkedIn (what I wish I’d done while I was still employed)

The majority of my LinkedIn posts were related to my company and what we did or promoted. I positioned myself as an expert in my field and would post on my overall niche expertise, but it was largely focused on promoting my ex-employer.

I would not recommend this.

Keep at least 50% of your posts on YOU: your specific expertise, your point of view, your frameworks — not your employer.