If your job search feels like shouting into the void lately — you’re not alone.
We’re hearing it from senior technologists, directors, architects, and engineers across the board:
- “I’m not getting traction, even with strong experience.”
- “The roles I’m seeing aren’t aligned or already seem flooded.”
- “It’s been quiet — and I’m starting to question myself.”
It’s a strange moment in the market.
There’s talent. There’s demand.
But the volume is turned way down.
And yet — this is exactly the time to stay visible, even if you’re not actively applying. Because visibility today becomes opportunity tomorrow.
Here’s how to do it strategically — without broadcasting that you’re on the hunt.
1. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile to Work for You (Silently)
You don’t need a green ring to get noticed.
But you do need to make sure your profile tells the right story.
Start with:
✅ Headline: Go beyond your title. Use keywords that reflect your specialties and the roles you’d want to be found for.
Example: IT Director | ERP & Infrastructure | Energy & Supply Chain Systems
✅ About Section: Keep it in first-person. Summarize the business problems you solve and the value you bring. Make it skimmable. Focus on clarity, not cleverness.
✅ Experience: Lead with outcomes, not responsibilities.
Instead of: “Led SAP implementation.”
Try: “Led SAP rollout across four divisions, reducing procurement delays by 30%.”
✅ Open to Work Settings: Use the private option to show recruiters you’re open — without making it public.
These tweaks can quietly boost your discoverability, credibility, and relevance.
2. Stay Engaged (Even If You’re Not Posting)
You don’t need to start writing LinkedIn essays or sharing daily thought leadership to stay visible.
You just need to show up with intention.
- Like and comment on posts from leaders in your space
- Congratulate former colleagues on their milestones
- Ask thoughtful questions in relevant industry discussions
- Share a relevant article with your own short takeaway
This kind of activity keeps your name circulating in feeds and reinforces your voice as someone who’s current, insightful, and still connected — even if you’re not job searching loudly.
3. Build (or Rebuild) Micro-Networks
Don’t wait until you need a job to reach out.
Start now — low pressure, high value.
- Reconnect with former coworkers or managers
- Reach out to recruiters you trust
- Join (or re-engage with) industry-specific groups or Slack communities
- Attend a local tech meetup or virtual roundtable
Most people are open to a quick “just checking in” message, especially if you’re not asking for anything.
“Hey, it’s been a while — I saw your team is growing. Would love to catch up and hear how things are going.”
You don’t have to make a pitch. Just make a presence.
4. Use Storytelling to Stand Out — Not Just Keywords
Whether it’s in your resume, your LinkedIn profile, or conversations with people in your network — facts get remembered when they’re framed as stories.
Instead of saying:
“I’ve led several ERP migrations.”
Say:
“When our company was acquired, I led the migration from legacy systems to Oracle Cloud — under a compressed timeline — and we hit every milestone without disrupting production.”
Stories signal confidence, context, and credibility.
They also make you more memorable — which is everything in a quiet market.
5. Remember: Quiet ≠ Invisible
Just because you’re not getting bombarded with interviews doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.
Every resume update, profile tweak, comment, reconnection, and conversation adds to your professional visibility — and puts you in a stronger position when the right opportunity does surface.
And that’s the key in this market:
Be present. Be ready.
Even when it’s quiet.
👋 Want help reviewing your positioning or crafting a more effective passive search strategy? I work with senior IT professionals every day who are navigating this same space. Let’s talk.
By Jessica Werlinger | Paradigm Group